Three business people will be recognized for their achievements at the Milgard School of Business’s Ninth Annual Business Leadership Awards next month. The awards spotlight business leaders from Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston and South King counties and aim to strengthen the relationship between the business community and UW Tacoma. The honorees were nominated by the community and selected by a panel from the Milgard School of Business advisory board, faculty and staff.

The honorees include:

1. Small Business Leader of the Year / Mohsen Aliabadi, president and CEO of South Tacoma Auto Sales

2. Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year / Charles Shelan, executive director, Community Youth Services

3. Business Leader of the Year / Melanie Dressel, president and CEO of Columbia Bank

The awards will be presented at the Business Leadership Awards dinner April 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Milgard School website at http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/business or contact Julia Smith at (253) 692-5631.