News Release

For Immediate Release:
Friday, June 16, 2023
Contact: Kevin McGoldrick; communications@nysbdc.org, (800) 732-7232

The NYSBDC Launches First Annual Client Awards Roadshow
Albany, NY – The New York State Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) has launched its first annual Client Awards Roadshow, a state-wide celebration and acknowledgment of outstanding small businesses throughout New York. Last week, the inaugural Roadshow kicked off in Long Island with Port Jeff Bowl (Community Impact Business) and Atlantic Truckworks (Growth Business).

"In 2022, we proudly served 24,766 SBDC clients across 90+ locations, and this year, we've selected nine exceptional businesses for special recognition in a diverse range of categories," said Sonya Smith, State Director, New York SBDC 

The award categories reflect the diverse business landscape of the state, including Woman-Owned, Family-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Rural Business, Minority Entrepreneur, Growth Business, Community Impact, Millennial Entrepreneur, and Tech/Innovation.

Community Impact Award winner, Port Jeff Bowl, owned by father-son duo Charlie and Sam Lefkowitz, revitalized a deteriorating community bowling alley in Port Jefferson, NY. With the help of Stony Brook SBDC Advisor Ree Wackett, the Lefkowitz's transformed the bowling alley into a thriving hub with live music and events, maintaining employment for 25 staff members and increasing to 40 part-time and full-time employees.
Charlie Lefkowitz said, "The experience of working with NY State Advanced Certified Business Advisor Ree Wackett and the entire staff at Stony Brook Small Business Development Center has been a pleasure. The added support with underwriting and the business plan gave our team the confidence to move forward with the transaction of buying Port Jeff Bowl. We look forward to many more years of success and thank NY State SBA for all they do for the small business owner."

Ree Wackett said, "Port Jeff Bowl and its owners, Charlie and Sam Lefkowitz, are proof that small businesses are the heart of the communities in which they reside. It was a pleasure to work with them to bring a long-suffering bowling alley to its newfound glory as a premier leisure destination for the region."

Growth Business Award winner, Atlantic Truckworks of Yaphank, NY, led by Andrea D'Elia, has achieved outstanding growth, doubling its 2021 sales from $2 million to over $4 million. Under D'Elia's leadership, Atlantic Truckworks expanded from just one employee to an eight-person team. They won several large contracts with major utilities such as Con Edison, PSEG, and National Grid, totaling over $500,000.
Andrea D'Elia said, "I am honored to have been recognized for this prestigious award and extremely proud of my team for their tireless efforts and strong work ethic. We always say we like to win, and this one felt great! We remember very humble beginnings!!"

Lauren Linakis, Farmingdale SBDC Assistant Director, said, "We are thrilled that Atlantic Truckworks is the recipient of the NYSBDC Growth Business of the Year. Through hard work and dedication, owner Andrea D'Elia has grown the business exponentially through the years, creating jobs and economic opportunities in her community. It was a pleasure to visit Andrea and her team to tour her first-class facilities and present her with the Growth Business Award."

The NYSBDC Client Awards Roadshow will visit all nine award-winning businesses this summer, bringing elected officials, business leaders, NYSBDC staff, host institution leadership, and loved ones together to celebrate their accomplishments and the local SBDC's positive impact on their communities.


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The NYSBDC is a state-wide network of 22 regional centers and 70 satellite and outreach locations. Since the beginning of the program, the network has worked with more than 570,000 businesses, helping them to invest $8.4 billion in the state economy and create or save more than 261,000 jobs.

In addition to no-cost business advising from full-time professional business advisors and free and at-cost business training, the NYSBDC provides services in market research, international business development, government procurement, online entrepreneurial education, and MWBE advising and certification.

The NYSBDC works closely with state economic development agencies, faculty, students at host institutions, and representatives from private industry and business to focus resources on assisting NYS small business owners and entrepreneurs. It is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, and regional centers' host campuses.

To learn more about the NYSBDC, visit nysbdc.org.

The New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) is a Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA-funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.