Latina Woman Wins SBA Regional Minority Small Business Award

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Veronica Ann Edwards, CEO of San Antonio-based InGenesis, Inc., has been named the 2010 SBA Regional Minority Small Business Person of the Year for U.S. Small Business Administration Region VI.  The five-state region serves Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

InGenesis, one of the nation's largest healthcare consulting and staffing firms, posted consolidated revenues of $17 million in 2009.  Edwards led InGenesis to nearly 500 percent growth from 2006 to 2009 and 580 percent growth from 2004 to 2007.  In 2009 the company and its joint ventures won more than $400 million in contract awards and a substantial share of a $1.27 billion multi-vendor contract to be implemented over five years. 

"We are so proud of the milestones we have achieved in the last two years, especially in light of a national recession and global financial crisis," Edwards said.  "I am grateful to the SBA, and especially to the San Antonio office under the direction of district director Pamela Sapia, for their unwavering support and guidance."  Edwards also was named the SBA's district award winner in 2008.

As an SBA Region VI award recipient, Edwards will be honored during the Annual National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference to be held Wednesday, Aug. 25, through Friday, Aug. 27, in Washington, D.C.  Conference highlights will include a White House reception and an awards gala.

The only federal agency created specifically to foster minority-owned businesses, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) partners with the SBA each year to host the conference which honors minority-owned businesses and their achievements.  

Founded in 1998 InGenesis today has 750 employees at 54 client facilities globally.  InGenesis provides diversified healthcare solutions and recently has expanded capabilities with scientific and technical staffing and occupational health and wellness.  

Edwards has an MBA and is pursuing a doctorate with a concentration in human resources and organizational leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio.

About InGenesis:  Latina Veronica Ann Edwards established InGenesis in 1998.  The San Antonio-based company provides diversified healthcare solutions to military and government clients throughout the U.S. and globally.  For the last three consecutive years, InGenesis has made Inc. magazine's prestigious Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies.  Ernst & Young named Edwards an area finalist for the 2010 Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards.  The U.S. Department of Commerce named InGenesis Regional Minority Service Firm of the Year in 2008. (210) 366-0033. www.ingenesis.org

SOURCE InGenesis, Inc.