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Agile5 Wins Small Business Person of the Year Award in West Virginia
Agile5, a software company based in Fairmont, was awarded Small Business Person of the Year by the SBA during Small Business Week in West Virginia. The team of Lisa Fritsch, Peter Fritsch, Adam Leach, and Chet Tobrey were honored for their contributions to the business community.
President and CEO Lisa Fritsch expressed her excitement at receiving the award, stating, “It’s been a huge honor that the SBA decided to recognize what we’ve brought to the state and what we’ve brought to the business community. It’s very exciting. My partners and I together have done this and so it’s important for me that the recognition be spread to everyone who’s in the company.”
Agile5 specializes in developing custom software to meet the needs of businesses and also provides software support. The company is also involved in giving back to the community through supporting charities, food banks, and employee matching for fundraising campaigns.
Other winners at the event included Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year Charlotte’s Cafe, Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year Hasten Services, and Family-Owned Small Business of the Year S&S Diamonds and Fine Jewelry.
John Fleming, SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, emphasized the importance of recognizing disadvantaged businesses such as woman-owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned businesses. He highlighted the role of small businesses in building wealth and community connections.
James Merrill, owner of Hasten Services, a Morgantown-based commercial janitorial and contracting company, expressed his pride in receiving the award and emphasized the importance of supporting veteran-owned businesses.
Lenders were also recognized at the event, with WesBanco receiving Export Lender Recognition from the SBA. Craig Engelhapt, SBA loan coordinator for WesBanco, emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses in the community.
The award ceremony was part of 70 other events held by the SBA for Small Business Week across the country. Fleming expressed high hopes for the winners, stating, “We hope they all become large businesses and employ lots of people and increase the tax base. That’s why we’re doing what we do, we try to level the playing field and make it easier for small businesses to start and succeed.”
