TWO LOCAL COMPANIES ALSO RECOGNIZED BY THE MBDA DURING MEDWEEK Rosa Cantor In addition to ARUSI’s National Award, The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency recognized two other local companies. The companies are Creative Human Resources Concepts, LLC, (CHRC) founded by Rosa Cantor and Great Gifts and Promotions founded by Teresa Ornelas, President and CEO. CHRC was recognized in the Service category and Great Gifts and Promotions was honored in the Supplier/Distribution category. Cantor began the company six years ago as a dream and a vision – a dream to create excellence and a vision to compete in a service industry that is dominated by large corporate entities. “CHRC has become an exceptional business that I am very proud to lead,” said Cantor. “I reflect on our challenges and our successes over the past six years and I am blessed and amazed. My advice is to surround yourself with quality advisors, work with integrity and stay focused on your dreams and goals.” Having had an opportunity to work with such companies as The Boeing Company, General Dynamics, Talley Defense Systems, Pacific Scientific, Simula, MasterLink, ATL Inc. and many others has allowed CHRC to not only provide the exceptional service they are known for but also provide for stability, growth and the survival of the business. CHRC is a testament to companies of all sizes that being a minority-owned company is not an obstacle but a strength. “We are humbled by this recognition from the MBDA and we cannot thank enough organizations such as this one that promote, inspire, support and work so diligently to allow minority business to make a positive difference,” said Cantor. Teresa Ornelas Teresa Ornelas is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Gifts and Promotions, an Arizona firm that provides innovative promotional items and campaigns to businesses large and small. Since founding the firm in 1997, Teresa has been constantly on the lookout for ways to improve her clients’ success. Great Gifts and Promotions was the recipient of Supplier of the Year in Class I from the Grand Canyon Minority Supplier And Development Council in 2001. Competing with minority businesses throughout the state of Arizona, Great Gifts and Promotions was selected Distributor of the Year from the City of Phoenix during MED Week in 2002. Great Gifts and Promotions was first runner up in 2003 for the Southwest Region for Distributor o f the Year. "It was truly an honor to be selected First Runner up in the Supplier/Distributor Category for our region,” said Ornelas. “There are many qualified minority businesses and to be selected as one of the best makes all of us at Great Gifts and Promotions proud of the service we provide to our clients."