STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
MARY DONOHUE, LT. GOVERNOR

518-474-4623
212-681-4532                                                                                 September 14, 2006
http://www.ny.gov/governor/ltgov/ 

LT. GOVERNOR DONOHUE ANNOUNCES 2006 NEW YORK STATE SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Starfire Systems Inc. President and CEO honored

            Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue today presented Richard Saburro, President and CEO of Starfire Systems, Inc. of Malta, with the 2006 Small Business Person of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions to New York State’s small business community.

            “New York State has benefited from Governor Pataki’s business-friendly policies for nearly 12 years, elevating us from 25th to third in the nation in attracting new facilities and investment,” Lt. Governor Donohue said.  “Combined with the hard work and dedication of people like Richard M. Saburro, New York’s small business community is continuing to grow stronger.”

            Since Mr. Saburro became President and CEO of Starfire Systems 2001, the company has increased revenues more than 300 percent and boosted employment almost 200 percent.  The company now has 30 employees, including engineers, chemists, technicians and production personnel, who develop and manufacture performance products made of nanostructured silicon carbide ceramics at their Saratoga Technology + Energy Park location in Malta.

            Mr. Saburro has also been successful in introducing Starfire’s technology to NASA for the space shuttle, the Department of Defense, and the electronics and automotive industries. Under his guidance, the company won the Capital Region’s “Most Promising New Enterprise” award in 2001 and won first place in the Tech Valley Business Plan competition in 2003.  More recently, Starfire received the United States Department of Commerce’s Small Business Export Achievement Award.

            Mr. Saburro said, “We are proud of Stafire’s accomplishments and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.  New York State is the place to be for young, high-tech companies. This award is just the latest example of the support and encouragement we’ve received from State government.  We intend to continue to grow Starfire right here in the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park.”

            Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development (ESD), which sponsors the awards with the New York State Small Business Advisory Board said, “New York’s economy depends upon small businesses, which employ more than three million workers.  Our Small Business Awards allow us to the opportunity to honor our small businesses and to note the valuable contributions they have made and will continue to make to our financial success.”

            New York State Small Business Advisory Board Chairman Ross M. Weale said, “Reviewing Small Business Award nominations and selecting finalists is one of the Small Business Advisory Board’s most challenging and rewarding tasks.  It is truly an honor to join with Lieutenant Governor Donohue in recognizing this exceptional individual.”

            New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO, Peter R. Smith said, “Under the leadership of Richard Saburro, Starfire Systems has been a great contributor to the success of the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park in Malta.  Richard Saburro has been a trailblazer in technological advances in ceramics and his vision and focus have brought Starfire to new heights, along with NASA’s space shuttle.  Recognizing his leadership with this award is most fitting.  It is truly a pleasure to congratulate Mr. Saburro as 2006 Small Business Person of the Year.”
 
            Nominations for the Small Business Awards were solicited from trade associations, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, private and public educational institutions, and other types of business organizations on behalf of a small business, an individual or a not-for-profit organization.  Applicants may also nominate themselves.

            Applications were reviewed by the New York State Small Business Advisory Board, which made its recommendations for the awards. To be eligible for an award, nominees must meet certain criteria outlined in the nomination application forms available from ESD’s Division for Small Business.

            Applicants for Small Business Person of the Year award also must meet the definition of a small business as established by Section 131 of the New York State Economic Development Law.

            For more information about ESD’s services for small businesses, contact its Division for Small Business toll-free by calling 1-800-STATE-NY, via e-mail at esd_smallbus@empire.state.ny.us or visit their web site at www.nylovessmallbiz.com.

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