SCORE Honors Paul Kopelcheck of Hilton Head, S.C., with Highest Volunteer Award

Past Board Chair Honored for Setting Course for Innovation and Growth

WASHINGTON, June 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" presents the Walter H. Channing Award of Excellence to Paul Kopelcheck. He is a past national board chair and board director of SCORE. Kopelcheck of Hilton Head, S.C., receives the Channing Award for his strategic leadership, focus on fundraising and dedication to expanding SCORE's services for starting a business and growing a business.

The Walter H. Channing Award recognizes a SCORE volunteer for outstanding volunteer service and for making a major impact on behalf of small business. Kopelcheck will receive the award at a celebration luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Hilton Head, S.C., on June 15.

Kopelcheck joined SCORE at the South Carolina Lowcountry office in 1996 and continues to mentor clients. He served as the national board chair of SCORE from 2006-2008. Earlier, Kopelcheck served as a national board director, SCORE Advisory Council member, district director and chapter chair.

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, "Paul Kopelcheck's leadership in strategic planning established a vision for the future of SCORE, which led to a new vision, mission, goals and strategic plan bringing a greater positive impact for small business success nationwide."

Yancey adds, "Thanks to Kopelcheck's leadership, SCORE helps tens of thousands of small business owners each year achieve success. His vision of the future set the stage for the expansion of SCORE's services and upgrades in counseling methods to meet the needs of today's small businesses."

Kopelcheck founded and served as president and CEO of Acordia Personal Benefits, Inc., a life and health product marketing and administration organization. Before that, he was the executive vice president of Columbian Financial Group of Binghamton, N.Y. Prior roles included vice president of marketing for The Hartford Insurance Group of Hartford, Conn. He is a former corporate executive with Aetna and a McKinsey and Company consultant.

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 8.5 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and workshops. More than 12,400 volunteer business counselors in 364 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org and www.score.org/women. Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans, http://twitter.com/SCOREMentors and www.scorecommunity.org.

SOURCE SCORE