Vote for the 2010 Small Business of the Year Nominees!

Few small business owners managed to exceed expectations during the recession and subsequent recovery this past year. Of the intrepid group who did, we’ve chosen our 2010 Black Enterprise Small Business Award nominees. Now we need your help in determining the winners. Vote for the companies you think most deserve the recognition. Online votes will contribute to a portion of the scoring; final selections will be made by the editorial committee of BLACK ENTERPRISE. Exemplifying entrepreneurs who demonstrate viability regardless of circumstance, the winners will be announced at the 15th annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo

, May 16—18 in Atlanta.

RAM Surgical Instruments
Type of business: Surgical instruments and medical supplies distributor
Founder: Adrian Davis
Location: Arlington, TX
www.ramsurgical.com
RAM Surgical Instruments, started in 2006, provides hospitals and surgical centers with medical instruments such as scalpels, chest retractors, forceps, and graspers. Clients include Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton and John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. The company also offers instrument repair, medical products, and acute care supplies. Last year, revenues rose to $300,000,

nearly double those of the previous year. RAM projects revenues of $1.1 million for 2010, primarily because of two recently secured contracts that total more than $800,000 with Methodist Health Systems of Dallas.

NuJak Cos.
Type of business: Construction, property management, and real estate development
Founders: Timothy B. Jackson
and Frank Kendrick
Location: Lakeland, FL
www.nujak.com
A full-service construction and commercial real estate business, NuJak Cos. implemented an extensive technology enhancement strategy that resulted in savings of about $150,000 per year. Founded in 1992, NuJak focuses on educational facilities,

financial institutions, commercial office buildings, and religious facilities in central Florida. The team is currently working on the University of South Florida Polytechnic’s signature building designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. For 2009, the 12-person company posted revenues of $10 million; revenues of $12 million to $13 million are projected for 2010.

Trevor L. Newman L.L.C.
Type of business: Acquisition,
procurement, and contract management
Founder: Trevor Newman
Location: Linwood, NJ
Now in its ninth year of business, Trevor L. Newman L.L.C. boasts a full-time staff of 18 and fulfills federal contracts and provides management support for several federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Transportation Security Administration. The company also provides support to buying services for agency procurement, including developing full-cost proposals, negotiations, and cost and price analysis. The company generated revenues of nearly $625,000 for 2009. Newman projects 2010 revenues to reach $2 million because of a $1.2 million contract she recently signed with the U.S. Navy.

Click here to cast your vote for the Black Enterprise 2010 Small Business of the Year!