WTEC Excellence Awards Spotlight Economic Impact and Entreprenurial Success

The WTEC 2025 Entrepreneur Excellence awardees. Pictured are, from left, Golden Egg Award Layke Holmes, Marketing Director for Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, Client of the Year, Travis Lamance, owner of Haven Aero, Don Taylor Entrepreneur Excellence Award, Daniel Cramer, owner of Austin Hose, The Incubator Member of the Year, Amanda Castillo, owner of Breastfriends. 

 

AMARILLO, Texas — The WT Enterprise Center celebrated the accomplishments of the Texas Panhandle’s business community at the annual Entrepreneur Excellence Awards on Jan. 30.

The luncheon highlighted awards recognizing local businesses and their economic impact on the community.

The WTEC’s latest economic impact data highlights the continued growth and success of the businesses it supports. In 2024, WTEC-supported companies generated $280.6 million in total business revenue, reflecting a substantial increase from the previous year’s $245 million. Capital investments, including equity and loans, rose significantly to $36.5 million, up from $22 million in 2023. Payroll increased, reaching $58.8 million, compared to $52 million the year before. While total employment decreased slightly to 983 employees, these figures underscore the ongoing economic contributions of WTEC-supported businesses, reinforcing the organization’s role in fostering sustainable business growth in the Texas Panhandle.

“The success of these businesses reflects the strength and resilience of our entrepreneurial community,” said Brian Enevoldsen, WTEC managing director. “By providing tailored support and resources, we empower business owners to drive economic growth and innovation in the Texas Panhandle.”

The WTEC, a department of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, serves as an Entrepreneur Support Organization that offers programs, resources, and facilities to startups and entrepreneurs.

The ceremony recipients are in the following categories:

  • The Golden Egg Award: The Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center earned recognition for its role as a partner in The Incubator, providing businesses in the manufacturing industry with management, technology, and operations solutions. TMAC aims to provide economic development centers, chambers and other organizations with impactful workshops, covering topics ranging from leadership and team building to value stream mapping and creative problem solving for process improvements in manufacturing.
  • Client of the Year: Travis Lamance, owner of Haven Aero, was awarded WTEC Client of the Year for his outstanding dedication to business growth, innovation, and community impact. His leadership and commitment to excellence have driven his company’s success and strengthened the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Texas Panhandle. In addition, Travis can be found regularly assisting and supporting other Founder’s Club members and truly loves when everyone succeeds.
  • The Incubator Member of The Year: Amanda Castillo received the first-ever Incubator Member of the Year award. Her business, BreastFriends, LLC, aims to support mothers and infants through expert lactation consulting and maternal-newborn health services. With over a decade of nursing experience and multiple certifications, including maternal-newborn nursing and tethered oral tissue specialty training, she founded BreastFriends LLC to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to families in the Texas Panhandle.
  • Don Taylor Entrepreneur Excellence Award: Daniel Cramer, owner of Austin Hose, was honored with the Don Taylor Entrepreneur Excellence Award for his remarkable leadership, vision, and commitment to innovation. In addition to exporting Amarillo-made products all over the United States, Daniel’s dedication to driving business success while fostering economic growth in the region exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship this award represents.

“These individuals’ achievements represent more than just growing businesses—they represent job creation, innovation, and contribute to the economic vitality of our region. Enevoldsen said. “We’re proud to celebrate their impact and look forward to what they will accomplish next.”

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