Kansas Department of Commerce recognizes leaders in businesses owned by women, minorities

The Kansas Department of Commerce recognized more than a dozen companies and three individuals Thursday for their support of minority- and women-owned businesses.

The companies were honored at the annual Minority and Women Business Awards Luncheon at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Minority-owned businesses recognized at the event were Recyclable Materials Relocating LLC, of Kansas City, Kan.; Quik Tek Machining LLC, of Wichita; LaborMax Staffing KC Metro, of Kansas City, Kan.; Paleterias Tropicanas, of Kansas City, Kan.; Project Fitness CrossFit, of Garden City; and SARIN Energy Solutions, of Overland Park.

Women-owned businesses honored at the luncheon were MySmartPlans, of Kansas City, Kan.; Advanced Welding Technologies LLC, of Wichita; FSC Inc., of Overland Park; Toronto Lumber Company, of Toronto; Sage Restoration LLC, of Overland Park; and International Express Trucking Inc., of Kansas City, Kan.

Sandra Olivas, with the Bank of Labor in Kansas City, Kan., was recognized as Minority Business Advocate of the Year. Debra Kunz, with the Center for Deliberate Growth, located in Mission, was named Women Business Advocate of the Year.

Paul Kaster, with Crooked Branch Studio in Leawood, was recognized as Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Textron Aviation in Wichita was honored as Corporation of the Year, which recognizes an established corporation that has demonstrated efforts to assist in the growth of women and minority businesses.