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Sacramento, November 19, 2013 ” The California Department of Business Oversight received the coveted
Gold Agency Award at the 14th Annual State Agency Recognition Awards (SARA) ceremony for being an
exemplary department in working with Small Businesses (SB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises
(DVBE).
The State Agency Recognition Awards is sponsored by the California Department of General Services to
recognize outstanding achievements in contract success with Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran
Business Enterprises.
The Department of Business Oversight was recognized for the work of the business operations office staff
that performs the day-to-day purchasing. Department staff include: Fred Topete, Julie Solomon, Denise
Moncus-Gwen, Laurie Cootz, Chad Rohrs, Jennifer Wisniewski, Jasmin Buada, Marilyn Stevens, Bill
Hayden, Rachael Brown, Edna Carrasco, Andrea Waclaw, Hyunmee Peters, Jim Teich, Pamela MosbyWatson, Kelly Moynahan, Leanne Storrie, Reginald Bohanan, Andy Chan and Jose Luis Esparza.
“The Department is proud to support Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises and
honored to receive this acknowledgement from our peers in state service,” said Business Oversight
Commissioner Jan Lynn Owen. “Receiving this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the
staff and I am extremely proud of this team.”
Annually, state agencies work to meet a goal of doing at least 25 percent of purchasing and contracting
with small businesses. Furthermore, California”s Veterans and Military Code”s goal is to purchase at least
three percent of all goods and services from Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises. The Department has
successfully met and exceeded the SB and DVBE goals each year since 2001.
The awards were presented at a ceremony on Wednesday, November 13, at the Citrus Heights Community
Center. The Department of General Services presented awards to 11 state agencies and 5 state employees
for their outstanding work with California Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises.
On July 1, 2013, the Department of Corporations and the Department of Financial Institutions merged to
become the Department of Business Oversight. California consumers should contact the Department of
Business Oversight to check on the licensing and standing of the companies, investments or other financial
services they are considering at www.dbo.ca.gov or at the Department’s toll-free Consumer Services Office
at 1-866-275-2677.
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