By ELLIOT HARRIS

Staff Writer

The College of Administration and Business and the Ruston-Lincoln Parish Chamber of Commerce joined forces to host the 2004 Annual Ruston-Lincoln Parish Business Awards.

Tech President Dr. Dan Reneau served as master of ceremonies at the awards breakfast, held Tuesday in the Student Center, Main Floor. The breakfast recognized area businesses with awards presented by Ruston Mayor Dan Hollingsworth to the business of the year, small business of the year and young business person of the year.

Dr. Shirley Reagan, dean of the College of Administration and Business and a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, spoke positively of the involvement of Hollingsworth and Reneau.

"We feel the participation of these leaders shows the importance of businesses to the community and the university," Reagan said.

The business of the year award, recognizing a company with over 25 employees, was given to D&H Wholesale/The Medical Connection, owned by David Trussell.

The small business of the year award, honoring a company with 25 employees or fewer, went to The Beehive Jewelry Company, owned by Amy and Brent Bernard.

The young business person of the year award, recognizing someone under 40, went to Steve Davison, owner of Squire Creek. A co-winner of the award was Neil Keen, owner of The Frothy Monkey.

"I'm very honored," Keen said. "It's nice to be recognized for work that has been put into the community."

Criteria for the awards included the impact the business or person has made on the community, evidence of generosity to the community, leadership with the community by the business and or its employees and innovative thinking and entrepreneurship.

Chamber Chairman-elect Don Kessler said Reagan came up with the idea of an awards breakfast.

"With 'economic development' being the buzz word for the past couple of years, she wanted to recognize the synergies between Tech and the Lincoln Parish business community," Kessler said in a press release.

Kessler said he was excited to have the cooperation of Tech and the Ruston Chamber of Commerce.

"There are so many resources at Tech that can help the enterprising of any small business person," he said.

The breakfast was followed by a three-hour workshop presented by Louisiana entrepreneur and Fortune 500 business consultant Gregory P. Young.

"He's really fascinating," Reagan said. "He's very informative, humorous and motivating at the same time."