Sandeep Sharma Chosen

Utah Minority Small Business Person of the Year 

At their May 20, 2013, awards luncheon the Utah District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA)  honored Sandeep Sharma, founder, president, and CEO of Global Consulting International Inc. (GCI) as Utah’s Minority Small Business Person of the Year.

Sandeep Sharma accepts the Utah Minority Small Business Person of the Year award.
Left, Stan Nakano , SBA District Director; center, Sandeep Sharma; right, Winslow Sargeant, Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy, SBA, Washington, DC.

Utah is in Region 8 along with six other states.  Winners of state Person of the Year awards will be nominated for regional awards and then for the national SBA award.   Utah SBA representatives noted that Mr. Sharma was chosen for the award not only because his company has made great strides since its founding in 2005, but Mr. Sharma also supports veterans, other small businesses and other minorities.  In their nomination of him for the Utah state award the Utah District Office said of Mr. Sharma:

“Sandeep Sharma fondly reminisces about starting Global Consulting International and having to use plastic molded patio furniture for tables and chairs during the company’s infancy.  Since those early days in 2005, the company has seen steady growth, with total sales of around $12 million in 2012, a three-fold increase since 2007.  Such a sizable growth curve during a time of national economic recession and stagnation is a testament to Sharma’s business strategy and execution skills as company owner.

“Having made the decision to transition the bulk of the company’s future growth into the government sector in 2007, GCI was accepted into SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program in September 2007.  Through a concerted effort to focus on government contracting opportunities, from 2008 through 2012 GCI expanded its product portfolio beyond the original core of IT Consulting Services to now include services in Military Healthcare, Logistics, Engineering and Intelligence.

“The company has consistently received exceptional contract performance ratings from procuring agencies and several agencies have inquired about GCI expanding their services.

“Employing over 120 staff, including minorities and service-disabled veterans, and being involved in several charitable causes in the Greater Salt Lake City area shows Sharma and GCI take their commitment to community seriously.

“For his efforts in growing GCI through government contracting in the midst of great economic challenge, fostering a sustainable company culture, and giving back to the community, SBA is pleased to recognize Sandeep Sharma as the Utah SBA Minority Small Business Person of the Year for 2013. “