The U.S. Small Business Administration’s South Dakota District Office announced (March 30 2026) its Small Business Person of the Year winner, and seven additional honorees, as it prepares for National Small Business Week, which will take place May 3-9. Along with awards ceremonies, the week will include multiple small business events taking place across South Dakota. The South Dakota winner will be in the running for the National Small Business Person of the Year honors which will be announced on May 4 at ceremonies to be held in Washington, D.C.
Chris O’Bryan, owner of LaCreek Development Corporation, is the 2026 South Dakota Small Business person of the year winner and won because of his economic contributions in the state and local community. The business is a 100 percent Native American-owned construction firm based in Martin, SD The firm was founded in 2010 and has experienced substantial growth in recent years and currently employs 66 people.
“LaCreek Development Corporation is a small construction firm that has seen impressive growth in both sales and jobs created over the last several years,” says SBA South Dakota District Director Bryson Patterson. “This company has played an important role in creating new jobs in Its local rural community.”
During National Small Business Week the SBA’s South Dakota Office staff will travel across the state to celebrate all local and state winners who have empowered entrepreneurial success, created jobs, and driven economic growth in the last year, including:
John Willard, CAW Industries, Inc.; Rapid City
South Dakota Small Business Exporter of the Year
CAW Industries is the only manufacturer of Dr. John W. Willard Sr.’s patented Willard Water products. This proprietary formulation alters the molecule structure of water, creating molecule chains that convert ordinary water into an efficient catalyst which stimulates nutrient transportation to cells. They export to customers on three continents.
Dennis Christopherson, Preform Solutions, Inc.; Sioux Falls
South Dakota Small Business Manufacturer of the Year
Preform Solutions, Inc. is a custom Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) perform molding company. They provide high-quality packaging to the food and beverage, oil, pharmaceutical, automotive, and cosmetics industries.
Scott Ramsdell, Dakota Layers, LLC; Flandreau
South Dakota Rural Small Business of the Year
Dakota Layers is a family owned egg farm producing, processing, and distributing shell eggs in the Midwest and on the West Coast. They are committed to doing what is right for their hens, the environment, and the community.
Kelli Ewert, Tropical Smoothie Cafe; Spearfish
South Dakota Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year
Tropical Smoothie Café is a fast casual dining café with sit down service, drive-through, third party ordering, and catering services. Tropical Smooth Café partners with Norther Hills Training Center to assist special needs adults to find employment. Kelli will be honored at a Wisdom, Innovation, and Networking Breakfast in Spearfish on May 5th for more information: https://sdceo.ecenterdirect.com/events/1019248
Ellen and Serena Harmon, RLH Inc.; Mission
South Dakota Women Owned Small Business of the Year
RLH Inc. operates Rosebud Building Products, Rosebud Rental and RBP Supply – providing essential building materials, equipment rentals, and specialty procurement services to rural, tribal, and government customers.
Caleb Hubert, Calebs Aquatics and Heads to Tails; Aberdeen
South Dakota Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Caleb’s Aquatics and Heads to Tails offer a variety of goods and services for pet owners including tanks, supplies, grooming, self-washing stations, fish, reptiles, and birds. Caleb started selling pets when he was 13-years old.
Gene Jr., and Scott Jones, Maguire; Sioux Falls
South Dakota Small Business Champion
Maguire builds and maintains water towers. The company serves thousands of communities across 34 states and employes 200 people. Gene Jr., and Scott Jones are recognized for their community impact and economic contributions in South Dakota. Maguire will host an SBA Manufacturing Industry Listening Session on Wednesday April 29th. For more information about that event see: Manufacturer’s Regulatory Roundtable – South Dakota Manufacturing & Technology Solutions
Details on National Small Business Week, the virtual summit, registrations and speakers are featured on www.sba.gov/NSBW and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed. Local events will be featured on www.sba.gov/events and identifiable by searching with #SmallBusinessWeek.
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