U.S. Small Business Administration Honors Rhode Island’s Farsounder Inc. Of Warwick With National Tibbett’s Award For Innovation

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The U.S. Small Business Administration today celebrated FarSounder’s President and CEO, Cheryl Zimmerman, the first Rhode Island small business owner to win the national Tibbett’s Award for her role in advancing sonar technology in the marine industry.

Tibbetts Awards are presented to those small businesses and individuals judged to exemplify the best in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The award is named for Roland Tibbetts, acknowledged as the father of the (SBIR) program, and is presented to companies, supporting organizations, and individuals which have leveraged the SBIR/STTR  investment, or helped others do so, in a way that has generated measurable value to their firm or the nation.

The awards ceremony, and technology demonstration was held on Friday, June 26th at the Wickford Shipyard on Steamboat Ave at the R/V Cap’n Bert. Attending the celebration with Zimmerman was U.S. Senator Jack Reed, SBA Associate Administrator of Field Operations Rob Hill, SBA New England Regional Administrator Seth Goodall, SBA Rhode Island District Director Mark S. Hayward, and Christine Smith, Director of Innovation Programs at CommerceRI.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed said, “I am very pleased that Cheryl Zimmerman and FarSounder have been recognized for their innovative work to improve the efficiency and safety of marine navigation.  This award shows the importance of the Small Business Innovative Research Program, its contribution to the nation and in particular in creating jobs right here in Rhode Island.”

FarSounder, headquartered in Warwick, has been in business since 2001.  “I offer my sincere congratulations to FarSounder for being honored with this prestigious award, and for their ongoing commitment to developing the innovative, cutting-edge technology that has put them at the forefront of their field,” said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian.  “It’s particularly fitting that FarSounder, a company committed to ensuring the safety of vessels, is located here in the Ocean State.  I am thrilled that they are realizing such great success here, and am very proud that a Warwick-based company is the first Rhode Island Tibbett’s Award winner.”

“The SBIR/STTR programs were designed for companies like FarSounder,” said Seth Goodall, SBA’s New England Regional Administrator. “These innovators are adding good paying jobs to the economy and help advance our technological potential as well as meet federal research and development needs,” Goodall added.

“Rhode Island has always excelled in the field of marine science,” said SBA Rhode Island District Director Mark. S. Hayward.  “We are thrilled for Cheryl and for her achievements.  We are fortunate to have such an exemplary Rhode Island company recognized at the National level,” Hayward added.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said, “I’m proud a Rhode Island company has been recognized with this national award.  FarSounder has put federal research dollars to good use, developing top-of-the-line sonar technology and creating jobs.  It serves as a strong example of the kind of innovation SBIR grants can unleash in our economy.”

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Avatar About the Author: The Rhode Island Small Business Journal is a printed monthly magazine and an online resource for the aspiring and start-up entrepreneur and small business owner.

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