Small Business Administration Honors Six From Southland

Six Southern Californians have been named national small business advocates in a nationwide competition sponsored by the Small Business Administration.

“Advocates of the year are individuals who have used their professional expertise and personal talents to further the understanding and awareness of small business in their community, their state and the U.S.,” said Michael Howland, acting regional director for the SBA in San Francisco. Patricia Krone of Newport Beach was named minority business advocate of the year. Krone, who works for Pacific Bell, serves on the Orange County Human Relations Commission and is past president of the Orange County Mental Health Assn.

Morris Van Asperen of Los Angeles was named the financial services advocate of the year. Van Asperen is senior vice president of National Bank of California in Los Angeles, which lends primarily to small businesses.

Caryn Wiley of Westlake Village was named national young entrepreneur of the year. Wiley’s company, Wiley Designs of California, publishes direct mail shopping center catalogues. The other California winners are Joe Greenstreet of Marysville, selected as accountant advocate of the year, and Steve Valencia of Sacramento, named veteran advocate. The media advocate is Arlene Morris-Versaw of Fresno.

Other winners are Patricia Killian of Lakewood, Colo., chosen as women’s advocate, and Duane Repp of Waukesha, Wis., who was named national small business exporter of the year.

All the winners will be honored at a dinner in May in Washington. A jury of business, industrial and government leaders selected the winners.