Louisiana Small Business Owner Honored

By SBA Press Office

WASHINGTON—Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s cabinet for America’s more than thirty-three million small businesses, named Iam C. Tucker of Integrated Logistical Support, Inc. (ILSI) in Louisiana as the National Small Business Person of the Year for 2024 at the National Small Business Week (NSBW) awards ceremony in Washington, DC.
 

This prestigious award, which recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate exceptional leadership and create sustainable, thriving businesses in their communities, has been a cornerstone of SBA’s annual NSBW celebrations for more than sixty years. During NSBW 2024, the SBA honored business owners, lending partners, and advocates who power our nation’s economy as we build on the Small Business Boom the country is experiencing under the Biden-Harris Administration.
 

“The SBA is proud to recognize 2024 National Small Business Person of the Year Iam C. Tucker, who exemplifies grit, ingenuity, and determination that define our nation’s entrepreneurs,” said Administrator Guzman. “As a second-generation owner of ILSI, Iam has overseen tremendous business growth over the last fifteen years in the engineering field while demonstrating the value of hard work and resourcefulness in ensuring continued resilience. I am honored that the SBA has been part of her successful and ongoing journey.”
 

At the awards ceremony, Administrator Guzman also announced the National Runner-Up for Small Business Person of the Year: Heather McDowell of Seattle Green Earth Cleaning, an eco-friendly, socially responsible company created to improve the lives of clients, employees, and the community.
 

“Since starting her home-based business over ten years ago, Heather has experienced remarkable growth in sales and number of employees—a testament to her success in leveraging vital resources to scale and fill market needs,” said Administrator Guzman. “I am honored to recognize Heather’s impact on the economy, her employees, and her community as she delivers sustainable solutions to help protect the environment.”
 

At the awards ceremony, Administrator Guzman also recognized all state and territory award winners and industry leaders for excellence in entrepreneurial development, exporting, federal contracting, lending, and disaster recovery.    

 

National Small Business Person of the Year Winner

 

Iam C. Tucker is the President and CEO of Integrated Logistical Support, Inc. (ILSI), a civil engineering firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. ILSI Engineering provides services in the civil engineering field, specializing in sewer, water, street, and drainage design projects.

 

As a second-generation owner of ILSI for over fifteen years, Ms. Tucker has grown the company from nine employees to fifty employees, with a revenue of over $2.7 million. Under her leadership, ILSI has received more than one hundred contract awards across various state, local, and federal agencies.

 

Ms. Tucker is a graduate of the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program for government contractors and has leveraged financial assistance available through SBA loan programs. Under her leadership, ILSI Engineering continues to expand its capabilities and clientele both locally and nationally.

 

National Small Business Person of the Year Runner-Up

 

Heather McDowell launched Seattle Green Earth Cleaning in 2013 with the goal of creating an eco-friendly, socially responsible company to improve the lives of clients, employees, and the wider community.

 

Initially working out of a home office and storage unit, the company eventually acquired its own building with offices, a warehouse, and staff amenities and has grown to support forty-six team members. In 2023, Heather participated in the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E Emerging Leaders Reimagined program, honing her strategy for growing the company through employee development and a cooperative leadership model.

 

The company is an active supporter of the local food bank, a regular donor to local charities, and volunteers its cleaning services to local organizations and to regular cleanup of their adopted city street.

 

About National Small Business Week

 

In the spirit of National Small Business Week, we celebrate the unprecedented growth of entrepreneurship in the United States, marked by sixteen million new business applications since the Biden-Harris Administration took office. This surge highlights the dynamism and innovation that America’s entrepreneurs bring to our local communities. The SBA will continue to champion the endeavors of small businesses and the vital role they play in driving economic prosperity across the nation. For more information on National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/NSBW.

 

About SCORE

 

SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals. Since 1964, SCORE has provided education and mentorship to more than eleven million entrepreneurs. SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). For more information on SCORE, visit www.score.org.

 

About the United States Small Business Administration

 

The United States Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.