November 21, 2006 - Baltimore, MD

Karen Barbour Voted 2006 Person of the Year

Karen Barbour, Founder and President of The Barbour Group, LLC, is the 2006 Person of the Year, according to the members of the Minority Building Industry Association.

Chaired by Derek McDaniels of the McDaniels Companies in Lanham, MD, the Minority Building Industry Association (MBIA) is a non-profit professional trade association representing the needs and concerns of minorities in the residential and commercial building industries throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. MBIA Membership includes contractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants and others.

MBIA’s Person of The Year award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the success of minorities in the building industry.

"By providing the minority and small business community with the energy, courage and informed leadership needed to explore alternative sources of surety bonding, Karen has enabled improved access to construction opportunities in Maryland," said Roger Blunt, MBIA member and President of Essex Construction, LLC in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Headquartered in the Baltimore Metropolitan Region, The Barbour Group (TBG) provides surety bonds and commercial insurance services to companies in 27 states. Founded in 2002, TBG services a wide range of customers and is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable brokers specializing in surety bonds.