December 3, 2008 - Westminster, MD

Karen Barbour, president, The Barbour Group, LLC, was honored as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2008 Maryland Small Business Person of the Year.

Barbour, whose firm provides surety bonds, business insurance and risk analysis for commercial enterprises, is the first surety professional to win the SBA award in Maryland.

A key factor contributing to Barbour’s success is her ability to draw on her experience as a surety underwriter and a construction company owner to find new ways to meet the surety bonding needs of small and medium sized businesses across the region.

“Maryland’s small business community is fortunate to benefit from [Karen’s] entrepreneurial leadership and tireless advocacy efforts,” says Stephen Umberger, SBA District Director, Baltimore District Office.

The SBA's Maryland chapter gives the awards each year to recognize outstanding small business owners.