WASHINGTON – Top entrepreneurs from each state, including Richard “Rick” Moore, Owner and CEO of Mad Genius, Inc., headquartered in Ridgeland, MS, will soon head to the nation’s capital to compete for the honor of National Small Business Person of the Year. Rick, an inventive entrepreneur and local leader, will be representing Mississippi during the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week celebration, May 17-23, 2009.

“I’m truly honored,” says Moore. “It’s both humbling and inspiring to represent my home state, and show the rest of the nation that even in this troubled economy, there is positive, innovative work happening right here in Mississippi.”

The National Small Business Person of the Year and runners-up will be selected from among the 53 state small business winners, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. More than 100 outstanding small business owners will be honored, reflecting a broad range of business products, services and innovations offered by our nation’s entrepreneurs. They include a bed and breakfast owner, Web site developer, printer, brewer, and mobility aid maker.

These small business owners will be recognized during five major award events that will focus on the achievements of America’s top entrepreneurs. Besides the State Small Business Persons of the Year, men and women involved in disaster recovery, government contracting, small business champions as well as SBA partners in financial and entrepreneurial development will be honored. Additional information on National Small Business Week, including a detailed schedule and registration information, is online at www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com. Media outlets are encouraged to cover National Small Business Week events, and can also register online.