US SBA San Diego Honors ABA President & CEO During National Small Business Week

San Diego, CA - The San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the local awardees for the 2023 Small Business Week. Among the recipients is Jason Paguio, President and CEO of the Asian Business Association of San Diego, nominated by Daniel Fitzgerald, Regional Director of the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC).

Each year, the SBA recognizes the hard work and contributions of America's small businesses during National Small Business Week. The San Diego & Imperial Valley SBDC Network will hold a Small Business Awards Event on May 9, 2023, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront to honor the local small business owners and advocates.

Paguio is being recognized for his leadership in advocating for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) small business owners in San Diego. Under his leadership, the Asian Business Association of San Diego launched several programs and initiatives that help AAPI small business owners start, grow and thrive. He has also been a tireless advocate for policies that promote economic equity in the small business community throughout the State of California as Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointee to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, California Office of the Small Business Advocate Director Tara Lynn Gray’s appointee to the Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility Task Force, and regionally as Mayor Todd Gloria’s appointee to the City of San Diego Small Business Advisory Board.

"We are thrilled to honor Jason Paguio for his outstanding contributions to our local small business community," said SBA District Director, Ruben Garcia. "His dedication and leadership have helped countless AAPI entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and achieve success through culturally responsive technical assistance in our region’s most diverse communities."

Mr. Paguio expressed his gratitude for the recognition, "I am humbled and honored to receive this award. It is a testament to the hard work of the Asian Business Association of San Diego team, our board of directors, and our collective commitment to empowering and uplifting our AAPI small businesses as part of the San Diego and Imperial SBDC Network."

For more information on National Small Business Week and the San Diego & Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center Network's Small Business Awards Event, please visit the SBA website at sba.gov.

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Founded in 1990, Asian Business Association of San Diego (ABASD) represents the interests of over 30,000 Asian Pacific Islander owned businesses throughout San Diego County. ABASD believes in building sustainable communities through inclusive economic development and a qualified diverse workforce. Learn more at www.abasd.org