Nobis Named SBA Small Business Person of the Year

Last week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced its annual award winners for 2012. 

Abhijit (Nannu) Nobis, CEO of Nobis Engineering, Inc. was selected to receive the prestigious Small Business Person of the Year award.

“We’re thrilled to hear that Nannu has been selected by the SBA for his leadership, community commitments, and the success of our firm. We’re very proud of our growing small business and being a part of the SBA community,” said Pete Delano, senior vice president of Nobis Engineering, Inc.

Nannu Nobis is no stranger to success, having achieved what most entrepreneurs only can aspire to. He accomplished much through commitment to education, customer service and high-quality work. Nannu came to the United States in 1978 from his native India with a B.E. in Civil Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science in India. He subsequently earned his M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering in 1979 from the University of Michigan then went on to graduate from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business Management's Minority Business Executive Program in Hanover, New Hampshire. 

He gained valuable professional experience with several large engineering firms where he quickly recognized a critical need for integrated civil, environmental and geotechnical engineering services. He founded Nobis Engineering, Inc. in 1988 out of a spare bedroom in his home to address the demand for a provider of high-value integrated engineering and consulting services with a personal commitment to each client.

As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nobis Engineering, Nannu developed a multi-disciplinary consulting firm with offices in Concord; Lowell, Mass.; White River Junction, Vt.; and Iselin, N.J., providing diversified services to its clients. With proven expertise and established industry relationships, the firm delivers a full range of geotechnical, environmental, and civil engineering services.  Strategically organized to offer the benefits of a large company with the high level of personal service available through smaller firms, every member of the Nobis team personally supports the company’s commitment to providing value to every client and teaming partner.  Nobis Engineering is an employee-owned company with a 23-year legacy of collaboration, responsiveness, and community involvement.  There are over 100 employees working with Nannu and he instilled many of his personal values into the firm’s culture.  He believes that putting “Values” into practice, benefits the employee, the clients and the community.  

The company strives to be a community leader and the staff believes deeply in social responsibility for the community and the environment. Nobis’ Community Outreach Program was created by Nannu to help make a difference in the communities where the firm’s employees and offices are located.  Up to five percent of the annual profits are designated to charitable organizations and every employee is offered 24 paid hours per year to volunteer.  Nannu believes this is the foundation for helping to create stronger communities and enhances the quality of life for their clients and employees.

Nannu Nobis was nominated for this award by Tom Potter, Vice President of Commercial Lending at TD Bank in Concord.   

Nannu Nobis will be honored at an SBA celebration luncheon on May 17, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953, and assists our nation’s small businesses in creating jobs, preserving free competitive enterprise, and strengthening the overall economy of our nation.  With an ongoing commitment to provide access to capital, government contracting opportunities and technical assistance to our small businesses, the SBA currently has a small business loan portfolio of nearly $93 billion working to facilitate the success of our nation’s entrepreneurs. SBA’s annual Small Business Week honors successful business persons and champions from around the country, and National Small Business Week events for 2012 will be held May 20-22 in Washington, D.C. – visit nationalsmallbusinessweek.com for more information.