Erika Zoppelaro has been named head of Client Services at Micapel's International Division in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. In this role, Zoppelaro will be handling all matters related to client relations, including incoming and outgoing postal communications, fax and e-mail messages and telephone calls; providing information regarding products, prices, conditions, terms, delivery schedules, status of shipments and related matters; receiving and processing orders; issuing Pro Forma invoices; coordinating order processing with quarries and plants; keeping in close communication with shipping companies and port or customs services; keeping clients informed of fulfillment of deadlines; arranging for liaison between clients with Olivier Cabanellas and Alex Cabanellas of Micapel. For more information, visit Micapel's Web site at www.micapel.com.

Drew Brandt, owner of Portland-based Intrepid Marble & Granite, has been awarded Oregon's 2003 Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). "Nominations are accepted from organizations and individuals throughout the state to recognize a given small business that we think is outstanding in its performance," said SBA District Director Phillip E. Gentry. "The other important thing we look at is the ability of the owner in the company to give back to the community." Intrepid regularly gives certificates for free products to schools for auctions, and is presently sponsoring an industry fabricator who is participating in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for the 2003 Climb to Fight Breast Cancer. For three years in a row, the company has provided product at cost for the Wallace Custom Homes Street of Dreams projects, from which all profit is funneled to Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Brandt and his wife personally donate to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Church of the Resurrection in Tualatin, and they sponsor a child in the Phillipines. Brandt started Intrepid Marble & Granite out of a home office in 1993, as an agent broker of stone industry materials. Today, Brandt has 42,000 square feet of combined warehouse, showroom and traderoom space, and 20 full-time employees, including two sales representatives serving the retail, design and architectural sides of the business.

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