Ukiah Furnace Maker Garners Top SBA Honor

A Ukiah furnace manufacturer who thrived in spite of the downsizing of his defense industry clientele was named national small-business person of the year by the U.S. Small Business Administration on Tuesday.

Two Orange County companies also received top SBA honors at a Washington luncheon as part of National Small Business Week.

Max P. Schlienger, president of Retech Inc., “is an outstanding example of what one individual can accomplish through hard work and personal initiative,” SBA Administrator Philip Lader said.

Schlienger started his company, which manufactures high-tech furnaces that melt, refine and cast metals, in 1963.

Among the other national award winners is Susan Corrales-Diaz, chief executive of Systems Integrated in Orange, who was named small-business exporter of the year.

Cecil F. Hess, president of MetroLaser in Irvine, was named SBA prime contractor of the year.