Columbus, Ga. – May 25, 2005 – Kelly Paul, owner and CEO of The Marketing Department based in Savannah, Ga., was awarded the Small Business Person of the Year award by the Small Business Council of America (SBCA), an Aflac sponsored organization. Paul was presented the award May 18 during SBCA's Congressional Awards Reception at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
A corporate sponsor of the SBCA, the Columbus, Ga.-based insurer is a proponent for small businesses because Aflac products often provide an affordable benefits solution for growing organizations. “We are elated to have one of our clients recognized by the Small Business Council of America,” said Dan Amos, chairman and CEO of Aflac. “Like the SBCA, Aflac is a strong supporter of small businesses. This award is an excellent example of how we strive to provide support to our small business clients.”
Aflac nominated Paul for the prestigious award, citing the Savannah-Ga., business owner as a leader in advancing the interest of small business in America. Paul's company assists small businesses develop long-term marketing plans and obtain publicity. In 2004, the organization received the New and Emerging Business of the Year award from Savannah's Small Business Chamber of Commerce. A resident of Savannah, Ga., Paul also publishes Island Living magazine and is Publicity Chairperson of the Small Business Chamber of Commerce. In June, The Marketing Department will open a second office in Greensboro, NC.
A powerful lobbyist on behalf of small businesses, the SBCA annually selects a small business person of the year. The award is presented to a business owner who promotes a climate of free enterprise and presents a positive image through business, civic and community leadership. According to Peter Shanley, Small Business Council of America CEO, “Paul represents the type of business owner who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a commitment to family and community that the SBCA looks for in a winner.”
Aflac is also a corporate sponsor of the National Black Chamber of Commerce/Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Hispanic Achievement Award. Both awards promote economic empowerment within minority business communities and recognize excellence in leadership. Recently, Aflac awarded Union University students of Jackson, Tenn., with the first place prize in the National Free Market Economics competition held at the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) National Expo in Kansas City, Mo.
The Small Business Council of America is the only national organization exclusively representing the federal income and estate tax, pension and other benefit interests of privately held and family owned businesses. The primary goal of SBCA is to prevent the passage of more burdensome federal tax laws for small businesses and their owners. SBCA supports legislation that creates needed economic incentives.
For 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan. Aflac's insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. In January 2005, Aflac was included in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the seventh consecutive year. Aflac has also been included in both Forbes magazine's Platinum 400 List of America's Best Big Companies and in Fortune magazine's listing of America's Most Admired Companies for five consecutive years. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.
Media Contacts:
Mechell Clark
Aflac Incorporated
706-243-8004
meclark@aflac.com
Yolanda King
Aflac Incorporated
706-243-8547
Yking@aflac.com