The Washington Association of Small Business Incubators (WASBI) presented the 2004 Business Mentor of the Year Award to Les Barnett during the organization’s Best Practices Conference in Tacoma last week.

“When our organization asked for the annual Business Mentor of the Year nominations, Les Barnett’s name came up far more often than any other,” said Jamie Beletz, WASBI’s Executive Director. “He is well known and highly respected in Pierce County and throughout Washington State — truly an expert in his field. Les is probably responsible for creating hundreds of jobs in the Puget Sound region. We wish we could clone Les to help entrepreneurs in communities across the country.”

Barnett was recognized for his exemplary efforts and important contributions in support of the William M. Factory Small Business Incubator and small businesses in the South Sound region. Barnett has worked 12 years with the Incubator’s clients while employed as a business consultant with the Business and Management Training Center (BMTC) at Bates Technical College.

The William M. Factory Small Business Incubator is a nonprofit organization dedicated toward economic development in the greater Tacoma-Pierce County area, offering a broad base of services to smaller companies. In addition to consulting services and administrative support, clients have access to one of the area’s best Internet systems, receive hands-on training, and can rent office and meeting space equipped with the latest high-tech furnishings.