Small Business Person of the Year Announced

Indy Chamber News Archives

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Christopher “Shane” Conner, Owner/President of Advanced Technologies in Electrical and Communications, Inc. (ATEC) has been named Indiana Small Business Person of the Year for 2015 by the Indiana District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). ATEC is a full service electrical and communications contractor. Services include: electrical and telecommunications sales, service and support, engineering, project management and sustainable energy consulting and installation.

Headquartered in Lebanon, ATEC was formed in 2005. The company currently has 17 full-time employees. ATEC has many diverse clients ranging from a multi-million dollar contract with Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis to the National Football League’s last four championship games.

Conner was a participant of the NFL Emerging Business Program that educated small businesses on the bidding process and how to sell products and services when the game was in Indianapolis in 2012. As a result of the program, ATEC placed their bid to support the “NFL Experience” and won the contract to install temporary telecommunications infrastructure. Conner’s expertise and commitment was a catalyst for the company being invited back to the “Big Game” in New Orleans, and subsequently in New York and Arizona in the years that followed.

Conner credits ATEC’s participation in SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program for helping him grow his business. The 8(a) Program is a nine year business development program designed to assist entrepreneurs to develop and grow their business. All 8(a) firms are considered small disadvantage business for the purpose of federal contracting. With over two years left in the program, ATEC has benefitted from various trainings and free workshops, research assistance, executive training, SBA guaranty loans and awarded multiple federal contracts.

Conner spent 12 years in the Army Reserve where he learned the skills and dedication to duty to ensure his company’s success. Over the past four years, the company’s sales have grown to just over $7 million and net profits of just under $400, 000. During this time, the company has been able to manage its significant growth while at the same time eliminating its bank debt.

Stacey Poynter, SBA Indiana District Director states, ”The honor of being named Small Business Person of the Year means that you and your businessare Smart, Bold and Accessible. Shane Conner represents these three important characteristics.”

Conner will compete for the honor of National Small Business Person of the Year award during the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week celebration, May 4-8, 2015. He will receive his local award during Igniting Success EDGE/SBA Awards presentation in Indianapolis on Friday, June 19, 2015 as part of Indiana’s Entrepreneurial Week.

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration