Enterprising Women 16th Annual - Vol. 19, No. 1, 2018
enterprising Women 53 Merrilee Kick BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, LLC, Carrollton, TX Merrilee Kick is CEO of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, a distillery/winery manufacturing company that specializes in making ready-to-drink cocktails, as well as premium spirits, including vodka, gin, rum and bourbon. Based near Dallas, Texas, the companies’ annual revenue stands at $22 million, with sales in more than 40 states and plans for international expansion. The companies both import/export wine and spirits, as well as manufacture private label brands, including energy drinks and coffee drinks. The business is a true family affair – her husband, Tim Kick, is Chief Financial Officer, and her two sons also work for the company as co-owners. Merrilee is a member and supporter of organizations including New Friends New Life, helping victims of human trafficking, and providing scholarships to students in science fields and students with disabilities. She is a frequent guest speaker at women’s empowerment events. Prior to owning this company Merrilee was a high school teacher, voice artist, and CBS NewsRadio Anchor. Donna Cooper ProSource Consulting, LLC, Gainesville, VA Donna Cooper is president and CEO of Prosource Consulting, a $22 million Gainesville, VA company with 66 employees. Prosource Consulting is a facilities management and maintenance company offering services including operations and maintenance, facilities management, and facilities engineering and engineering support. Prosource Consulting was named to the 2016 Inc . 5000, and named one of the Washington Business Journal’s Top 30 Women Owned Companies, also in 2016. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded ProSource Consulting the Seven Seals Award, which recognizes patriotic employers. Donna has served as a board member for Susan G. Komen, and is a member of the Entrepreneurs Organization and Women Presidents’ Organization. Donna and her staff regularly volunteer and support local charitable organizations, including community clean-ups, homeless shelters and children’s centers. She meets with, and provides office support and space, to young women and men looking to become entrepreneurs, and helps them navigate the funding process. Elise Benedict-Howard University Moving & Storage/NorthAmerican Van Lines Farmington Hills, MI Elise Benedict-Howard is CEO of University Moving and Storage, a supplier of moving, storage and distribution services to household, corporate and government clientele. The $21 million Farmington Hills, Michigan company employs more than 100 people. Elise began as a bookkeeper at University Moving and Storage in 1986, and worked her way through various management positions in office, operations and sales, before purchasing the company. The company holds a certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. It has consistently been recognized by Crain’s Detroit Top 25 Woman Owned Business in Michigan, and was named to Working Woman magazine’s Top 500 Woman Owned Businesses. In her community, Elise is active with Move for Hunger and Habitat for Humanity. ENTERPRISING WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS Over $10 Million in Annual Revenues
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