SCORE Announces Winners of 2012 Small Business Awards

Founded in 1964, the SCORE acronym originally stood for Service Corps of Retired Executives. SCORE has since dropped the full name, saying it does not adequately represent the diverse base of volunteers in the organization, since many are still employed. More than 13,000 business experts volunteer as mentors in 364 SCORE chapters serving local communities with entrepreneur education to help grow 1 million small businesses.

The awards started as an offshoot of the annual Lou Campanelli Award, given to those with outstanding volunteer commitment to SCORE. There are two winners for the Lou Campanelli Award this year, Rieva Lesonsky, CEO of GrowBiz Media and website SmallBizDaily.com, and Brian Moran, president of small business consultant Brian Moran and Associates.

"The recipients stand out by epitomizing core American values such as work ethic, ingenuity, and fortitude," adds Mark Dobosz president of The SCORE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the organization. "I believe that their accomplishments, and recognition here, will inspire others across America to follow their dreams of small business success."

The SCORE Awards gala will be held August 16 in New Orleans.

Last year, SCORE presented awards to five individuals and one non-profit organization.

Check back later this month on TheStreet for profiles of this year's SCORE winners.

>>>Read about last year's award winners in TheStreet's profile series:
>>>SCORE Awards: American Product Distributors
>>>SCORE Awards: Healthy Life Clinic
>>>SCORE Awards: Spinal Health & Wellness
>>>SCORE Awards: School House
>>>SCORE Awards: East Cooper Meals on Wheels
>>>SCORE Awards: YouthBuild Louisville