Yoel Rivera, founder and CEO of Ultimate Solutions Corp, has been recognized 2025 Small Business Person of the Year for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The SBA’s National Small Business Week, scheduled for May 4-10, will honor Rivera and other state and territory winners. The event includes a ceremony on May 5 in Washington, D.C., where one individual will be named National Small Business Person of the Year.
“This award takes me by surprise at a turning point in my professional and personal life. My greatest motivator is the innovation and passion I feel for what I do, for our Ultimate family, my family, and my country. However, this recognition validates the efforts of top-notch professionals who, under complex conditions, have learned that every challenge brings an opportunity. We have learned to rise from adversity to do business globally. Along the way, we have faced many obstacles, but we understand very well where we add and create value,” said Rivera.
Rivera indicated that the company’s growth, among other things, was a result of some local programs offered by the SBA, the Puerto Rico Minority Supplier Development Council (PRMSDC), and the Puerto Rico Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC).
“Our growth is a result of programs like these, which are available to any entrepreneur with the dream, desire, and passion to make a difference. This recognition means we’re doing something right and gives us a huge boost to continue working toward our vision of helping our clients develop affordable and safe medicines that positively impact the lives of thousands of patients around the world,” Rivera added.
Rivera thanked Popular Bank of Puerto Rico, which submitted the application for this recognition. “Thank you to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, which has supported us throughout our history, from the beginning of Ultimate Solutions until now with the latest acquisition of AutoPak Engineering,” he said.
“I am deeply grateful for so many people and programs that have helped us along our journey and an incredible desire to continue impacting lives from our trenches: Ultimate Solutions Corp., PR; Ultimate Solutions USA LLC; Ultimate Solutions Global S.L., Madrid; and AutoPak Engineering Corp., PR,” he affirms.
This year, Ultimate Solutions marks two decades of delivering engineering, industrial automation, serialization, inspection systems, and validation services to the global Life Sciences industry.
The company, with approximately 250 employees, is headquartered in Caguas, Puerto Rico, but also has offices in Spain and the United States. The next steps are to strengthen the Ultimate Solutions Academy in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development and Commerce’s 21st Century Techforce Puerto Rico.
“Through our Sustainability Program and our agreement with the UN Global Compact—made possible by a sponsorship from one of our clients—we recognized the importance of community impact. This realization drove us to be more consistent in our community and educational contributions. We’ve deepened our commitment to sharing our knowledge globally, confident that our efforts will enhance the quality of our highly technical workforce and elevate it to the next level, ultimately strengthening Puerto Rico’s economy,” said Rivera.
Kelly Loeffler, SBA Administrator, congratulated the more than 50 winners of this recognition for the entrepreneurship of these small business owners. “For more than 60 years, National Small Business Week has honored the risk takers, innovators and job creators who are the backbone of the American economy”, said Loeffler.
State and territory awardees in consideration for the National Small Business Person of the Year and runner-up include:
Alabama: Kimberly Lewis and Larry Lewis, ProjectXYZ Inc., Huntsville
Alaska: Christine Hopkins, ASCI Federal Services LLC, Anchorage
Arizona: Virginia Saldivar, Metro Accounting and Professional Services, Goodyear
Arkansas: Kimberly Stinson, Lil Lions Daycare LLC, Bismarck
California: Qais Salem Alkurdi, HQE Systems, Temecula
Colorado: Larisa Hegenbarth, Novastar, Englewood
Connecticut: Michelle Nicholson, The Flour Girl Bakery Cafe, Hebron
Delaware: Alison Schuch, Tangerine Goods, Bethany Beach
District of Columbia: Craig Williams, Cyber Synergy Consulting Group LLC
Florida: Benjamin Nagengast and Mariah Nagengast, Point Summit, Largo
Georgia: Patrick Wells, Piedmont Landscape Management, Augusta
Guam: Robert Salas II, Pacific Federal Management Inc., Tumon
Hawaii: Pamela Cariaga, P&S Plumbing LLC, Kailua-Kona
Idaho: Patrick Buchanan, Buchanan Insurance and Financial Services Inc., Hailey
Illinois: Eric Cup, Bridgewater Studios, Chicago
Indiana: Sudhansu (Sam) Yadav, Quest Safety Products Inc., Indianapolis
Iowa: Jamie Jackson, Jake Oakland and Joni Campidilli, Percival Scientific Inc., Perry
Kansas: Cang Quoc Phu and Tuan Lai, QuikTek Machining LLC, Wichita
Kentucky: Crinda Francke, ExecuTrain Corp., Lexington
Louisiana: Ronald “Rocky” Ortego III, Red Bison Services LLC, Kenner
Maine: Carrie Gervais and Jennifer Cousins, Stepping Stones Montessori School, Chelsea
Maryland: Jacqueline and Michael Lopez, Premier Enterprise Solutions, LLC, Upper Marlboro
Massachusetts: Pablah Ferraz Schwartz-Linhares, Fresscafe Inc., Framingham
Michigan: Greg McArthur and Shelly McArthur, NTL Industries, Sterling Heights
Minnesota: Beth Benike, Busy Baby, Oronoco
Mississippi: David Kittrell and Karen Kittrell, Kittrell’s Industrial and Supply, Petal
Missouri: Tamara Keefe, Clementine’s Creamery, St. Louis
Montana: Jerry Stroot, Superior Meats Inc., Superior
Nebraska: Joseph Hodges Jr., Lion’s Gate Security Solutions Inc., Omaha
Nevada: Kristen Corral-Marin, Carlos Corral-Marin, Dan Simmons and Regina Simmons, Tacotarian, Las Vegas
New Hampshire: Tanya Lawson, Inbloom Health and Medispa, Londonderry
New Jersey: Nicole Ann Bryson, FT Mobility LLC, Saddle Brook
New Mexico: Victor D’Andrea and Jeffrey Giangiuli, TechSource Inc., Los Alamos
New York: Melissa Baideme, C.K. Natural Fruit Juice, LLC, Westfield
North Carolina: Mamie Hoffer and Jason Futrell, Hoffer Flow Controls Inc., Elizabeth City
North Dakota: Dee Decimus, All Embrace Home Caring, Grand Forks
Ohio: Victor Omar D’Angelo, Barroluco LLC, Columbus
Oklahoma: Shawn Collins, Sisemore & Associates, Tulsa
Oregon: Tadd Mick, Noelie Achen and Chris Schaffner, Tradewinds Charters, Depoe Bay
Pennsylvania: Sheree Beth Thomas, SB Thomas & Associates Inc., Pittsburgh
Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands: Yoel Rivera Santos, Ultimate Solutions Corp., Caguas, P.R.
Rhode Island: Kaitlyn Roberts, Easy Entertaining Inc., Providence
South Carolina: Michael Haldeman, SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop, Summerville
South Dakota: Tara Olson, Valley Ag Supply Inc., Gayville
Tennessee: Reggie Polk, Polk & Associates Construction Inc., Brentwood
Texas: Gabe Wander, Wander Staffing, Austin
Utah: Alfonso Porras, Sir Walter Candy Corp., South Salt Lake
Vermont: Christopher Swasey and Natalie Beckwith, Lewis Creek Builders, Essex Junction
Virginia: Donald Mills, Mills Marine and Ship Repair, Suffolk
Washington: Courtni Doherty and Stephen Doherty, Circle Creek Therapy PLLC, Auburn
West Virginia: Cathy Jo Higgins, The Developmental Advantage LLC, Charleston
Wisconsin: Mark Bula and Shawn Bula, Signature Farms II LLC, Grand Marsh
Wyoming: Lauren Heerschap, Brunton International LLC, Riverton
SBA reconoce a empresario puertorriqueño como Persona de Pequeña Empresa del Año
