WBI Small Business Hub Director Wins International Award

07.04.22 04:55 PM By Jennie Hempstead

James Masonbrink, WBI's Small Business Hub Program Director
Jim Masonbrink, Small Business Hub Program Director for Wright Brothers Institute, has been named Small Business Person of the Year (Industry) by AFCEA International. AFCEA – the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association – is a non-profit professional association for those engaged in defense, security and related technology disciplines. 

The Small Business Person of the Year award recognizes excellence in championing small business, innovation and leadership, in addition to a commitment to AFCEA’s mission and values.

“It is a great honor to be recognized for this award, but I wouldn't have even had the ability to win this award without Wright Brothers Institute and the Air Force Research Laboratory Small Business office as a resource to small business defense contractors I help,” Masonbrink said. “My mission with the Small Business Hub has allowed me to make many connections, collaborations, and educate defense contractors, hopefully helping them succeed and ultimately help the warfighter.”

One of Masonbrink’s particular strengths is organizing colliders, free and open events that highlight opportunity, collaboration opportunities, resources and more for small businesses. They can focus on technology, entrepreneurship, and/or business growth, and always provide room and time for networking.

In Fiscal Year 2021, 24 small-business colliders were held at WBI facilities, with more than 3,000 attendees; 69 small businesses connected in some way through these events.

Scott Springer, WBI’s Director of Collaboration and Development and Masonbrink’s direct supervisor, believes the AFCEA award is well-deserved.

“You’ve done an outstanding job in service to AFCEA’s mission and as a board member of the Dayton-Wright Chapter,” Springer said. “Their formal recognition of it is well deserved and a credit to your passion and dedication to the broader Air Force mission and small business community.”

The AFCEA International Business Person of the Year (Industry) will be presented to Masonbrink at AFCEA’s annual awards ceremony during TechNet Cyber 2021 in Baltimore MD on April 25, 2022.


Jennie Hempstead