Michael "Jason" Ianni, CEO/President of M BAR C construction, Inc., a structural steel contractor in San Marcos, CA, has been named California's Small Business Person of the Year by the San Diego district of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  Mr. Ianni will accept this award, June 12, during the Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon and Conference, sponsored by the SBA and the North San Diego Small Business Development Center at the Scottish Rite Event Center, in Mission Valley Calif.  Jason Ianni now qualifies and will compete to take top honors in Washington DC as SBA National Person of the Year, June 20-21, 2013. The DC event culminates Small Business Week, a nationwide celebration of America's entrepreneurial spirit.
 
Mr. Ianni started M Bar C Construction, Inc. in 2005, expanding it from the 30-year-old M Bar C Carports and turning it into a respected leader in the quickly expanding solar carports and canopies market.  The family-owned and operated business started in 1975 with two employees and now has more than 75 full-time, non-seasonal employees.  The company has earned many impressive contracts, completing projects in States across the western US.  Over the past three years, during one of this County's most challenging economic periods, Ianni grew the company by more than 550 percent.
 
The ability to lead effectively comes naturally to Ianni.  Diplomatic and collaborative by nature, he is an understated corporate visionary, as focused on today as on his 5 and 10 year business plan.  In spite of Ianni's impressive achievements, and though his company is capable of expertly completing multiple large scale solar structure installations simultaneously, Ianni sees that every customer - international contractor to local architect - receives equally high quality, attention to detail and customer service.
 
Jason is also active in his community.  With his contagious collaborative spirit, Ianni strives to bring friends, companies and community leaders together to benefit youth sports, 4H and SSA programs in several local high schools, the Temecula Boys & Girls Clubs, and North San Diego County's Solutions for Change.  As husband and proud father of 2, Jason balances healthy amounts of family fun with his sense of community and entrepreneurial spirit.
 
Mr. Ianni is a first generation American-Italian and an active member of Vista's American-Italian Club.  His employees soon realize they've become a trusted member of Ianni's extended family.  As such, it's said, Jason doesn't demand the best from his employees, partners and friends, advocating for excellence he simply brings out the best in each of them.
 
Every year since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration has highlighted the impact of top small business owners, entrepreneurs and others from all 50 States and U.S. territories.  June 16 - 21 marks its 50th Anniversary of Small Business Week.  Events featuring a variety of information-packed learning opportunities designed to help small businesses start, grow and succeed will be held in Seattle (6/17), Dallas (6/18), St. Louis (6/19), Pittsburg (6/20), culminating in Washington DC (6/21). These SBA events celebrate America's exemplary small business leaders, the visionary backbone of our Nation's economic fortitude.
 
A select few men and women who have consistently demonstrated the qualities and performance required to excel as a respected member of our Nation's collective small business community will be honored - but only one will be named SBA's National Person of the Year.
 
M BAR C construction, Inc.
www.mbarconline.com