COSTA MESA

David J. Cline, president and CEO of Balboa Instruments in Costa Mesa, was named winner of the 37th annual entrepreneurial award by the U.S. Small Business Administration at a luncheon Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

He was one of 53 small-business people--representing 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam--competing for the national title. Cline’s firm is a leader in the development and manufacturing of electronic control systems for the portable spa industry.

Cline recently developed a program with local high schools to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on training at Balboa Instruments. Students are exposed to day-to-day operations and learn how to solve hypothetical business problems.