Fort Worth, TX (Oct. 9, 2018) — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded Southwest Office Systems, Inc. (SOS) with the 2018 Minority-Owned Business Achievement Award during its annual Dream Big Awards Celebration. The annual awards ceremony celebrates the achievements of small businesses and honors their contributions to America’s economic growth.
Vince Puente, SOS President of Sales and Marketing, said: “This award is a validation of our team’s hard work and dedication.” President of Finance and Operations for SOS, Buddy Puente, said. “It’s really an honor to be recognized nationally for our company’s success and contributions.”
The 2018 Minority-Owned Business Achievement Award recognizes a minority-owned, small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by minority-owned businesses in the country. The business must also have management and daily operations controlled by at least one U.S. citizen of a minority group.
Award winners were selected by a panel of judges from twenty-one finalists in consideration for each of the six Business Achievement Awards and the one Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award. All twenty-one finalists were also eligible for the Community Excellence Award, which was decided through online public voting.
“The Dream Big awards celebrate those who are achieving success, creating opportunity, working hard, and inspiring others,” said Suzanne Clark, senior executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s finalists were drawn from the largest group of award applications in the history of the program—they are the best of the best. Small business is the strong fiber that knits our nation together—not just economically, but culturally and socially. Thank you for continuing to inspire us and congratulations to all of our award finalists.”
Award winners were announced at the Dream Big Awards Celebration on Wednesday, October 3 in Washington, D.C. as part of the 2018 Small Business Summit, which took place at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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About Southwest Office Systems
Southwest Office Systems Inc. was founded in 1964 by Victor Puente Sr. and began as a two-man typewriter repair company. Rapid growth led to sons Buddy and Vince joining their father in 1972; eventually leading to ownership. Southwest Office Systems has since grown to be the largest independent office equipment dealer in the Southwest. With the strength of being independent and an emphasis on people, product and service, SOS is equipped to meet the demands of the evolving document imaging industry.
