On July 29, Lt. Governor Mary Donohue presented Ronald Fay, Chairman of the Candor Business Development Committee, with the 2003 Small Business Advocate of the Year award. The awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions to New York State's small-business community.
"Governor Pataki's fostering of a business-friendly environment, combined with the hard work and dedication of people like today's award winner, have helped  New  York's small-business community remain strong," said Lt. Governor Donohue.
 Ronald Fay has made significant volunteer contributions to the community and economy of Candor.  He has served as Chamber of Commerce President, Chair of the Candor Business Development Committee and has initiated and developed numerous small business resources and publications.  He has done this while working full-time at Hilliard Corporation and helping his wife with her small business.

Trained as a mechanical design engineer, Mr. Fay has successfully owned and operated a small health club with his wife Barbara in the Southern Tier of New York for the past 14 years. He served in the US Air Force and graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering from University of California, Davis.  Mr. Fay is the author of three books, including one on how to start and operate a small fitness club business.

"We've made some real progress in supporting Candor's small business community," said Fay, "but there's even more we hope to accomplish in the years ahead."