The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that Ron Heskett, CEO and owner of Borga Steel Buildings & Components in Fowler, has been named the SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year for Central California and the Central Coast.

Founded in 1984, Borga Inc. hired Heskett as CEO in 2012 to execute a turnaround of the business. His efforts led to an expansion into new markets, improved employee retention and a decrease in supply chain costs, according to an SBA news release.

Heskett completed the SBA’s seven-month Emerging Leaders training program as he began purchasing the assets of Borga Inc. In 2014, he used an SBA 7a loan from Union Bank to buy Borga Inc. from the previous owners. He also obtained an SBA 504 loan from Cen Cal Business Finance Group in 2016 to buy the 9.5 acres in Fowler where the company is located.

“The importance of manufacturing to our regional and national economies is more prominent than ever,” said Carlos G. Mendoza, Fresno SBA district director, in a statement. “Manufacturers like Borga Steel Buildings & Components create the kind of high paying, high tech jobs we need in the Central Valley and across the country. Borga Steel Buildings & Components is an inspiring story of how entrepreneurs use SBA programs to make their businesses more competitive, and we are honored to recognize Ron Heskett and all the employees who have made this company a success.”

Now generating eight-figure revenue marks, Borga has expanded into federal, state and city government work as well as solar projects and schools.

“I am honored to be recognized as the Small Business Administration’s 2017 Small Business Person of the Year for Central California and the Central Coast,” Heskett said in a statement. “I appreciate the assistance SBA has given to Borga Steel Buildings & Components, and I want to thank all of our employees who have worked so hard to get this business  to where it is today.”