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Twelve D.C. area businesses were honored on May 21 at the SCORE �ϰ��ſ����� D.C. annual Client of the Year Awards luncheon.

SCORE �ϰ��ſ����� DC provides free mentoring, resources, and training to anyone looking to start or grow a business. The celebrated businesses ranged from a comedy production company showcasing diverse voices to a software system training certified nurse assistants to meet the demands of an aging population.

This year’s winners were: 

• Caroline Dockery of Categorically Caroline in Manassas, Virginia, for the Services Award
•  Amanda Preske of Because Science in the District for the Retail Award
• Timothy Zelch of Spine and Orthopedic Solutions of Ashburn, Virginia, for the Medical Services Award
• John J. Yim of Intelligence Federal of Vienna, Virginia and Cori Kelly of NATECH of Leesburg, Virginia, receiving the Government Contracting Awards
•  Kim Levone of Improbable Comedy of Silver Spring, Maryland, getting the Arts & Entertainment Award
• Kaltun Jama of the Montessori School of Chantilly in Chantilly, Virginia, for the Education Award
• Matt Ruck of XOP.AI of Gaitherburg, Maryland, receiving the Technology Start-Up Award
• Scott Dance of District Martial Arts of Arlington, Virginia, for the Health & Wellness Award
• Charlene Brown of CNA Simulations in the District for the Medical Technology Award
• Lopaka Purdy and Jocelyn Fontaine of Waldinger Creative Communications, Inc., of Towson, Maryland, for the Advertising, Design & Marketing Award
• Yves Rugasaguhunga of PrimECS of Oxon Hill, Maryland, getting the Engineering & Construction Management Award.

The honorees credited SCORE mentors for their success.

“I believe that my mentor also deserves an award,” said Brown. “Her insights and coaching kept me focused on business priorities. She supported my vision and helped me to lay the groundwork for an incredible company. I’m grateful to SCORE for bringing us together.”

SCORE CEO Bridget Weston noted in 2023, the �ϰ��ſ�����, D.C., chapter’s assistance helped to generate 1,222 business openings and 4,100 new jobs in the metropolitan area.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, go to SCORE �ϰ��ſ����� DC at .