The Stevies will be presented on October 22 in New York City

Joann Munford of Coverall Cleaning Concepts was named a Finalist today in the Community Involvement Program of the Year category in The 2004 Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs.

The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs, www.stevieawards/women, is a new national awards competition recognizing the accomplishments of women small business owners in the United States.  The awards are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards, hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post ( September 22, 2002). 

Winners will be announced on Friday, October 22 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City’s Times Square.  The master of ceremonies will be Bill Rancic, spokesperson for Advanta which is sponsoring the awards and winner of the hit television show “The Apprentice.” 

Munford’s commitment to the well being of her community is astounding.  The majority of her decision to open a Coverall Cleaning Concepts Franchise five years ago in Tampa, Florida, was not financially motivated, but was driven by her goal to further help improve the lives of those in her hometown. 

In addition to the honor of being a finalist in the Stevie Awards, JoAnn has been named a recipient of Lifetime Television’s “Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication and efforts as a “Hometown Hero” for community Service.   Munford has received the Black Educators Caucus’ award from local teachers, the Non-Rotarian Community Award from the Rotary Club, and the Key to the City of Brooksville twice (1995 & 2003). 

“It’s an honor to be recognized for my community service efforts to the people of Brookville, FL,” Said Joann Munford of Coverall Cleaning Concepts.  “I hope that others will take an active role in their communities to help those in need.”

Advanta Corp. (NASDAQ: ADVNB; ADVNA) is the exclusive sponsor of The 2004 Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs, and has been committed to supporting the success of women in business for over 50 years.  Founded as Teachers’ Service Organization, originally providing needs-based loans to teachers – mostly women – at a time when banks often did not, Advanta is now one of the nation’s largest issuers of MasterCard business credit cards to America’s small businesses through its subsidiary Advanta Bank Corp.

“The Finalists for the first-ever Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs comprise the most dynamic women in business today.  These entrepreneurs have accomplished innovative and extraordinary things while building their business,” said Dennis Alter, chairman and CEO of Advanta.  “We congratulate all of them on their achievement.”

The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs are governed by a board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors that features many leading women entrepreneurs and figures in American business, including Carrie Fitzmaurice, publisher for Entrepreneur Media Inc.; Dr. Lisa Krinsky, chairman & president for SFBC International; and Dr. Betty Spence, president of The National Association for Female Executives.  

The elegant Stevie trophy was designed by R. S. Owens, the same company that makes the Oscar and the Emmy.

Details about The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs and the full list of Finalists are available at http://www.stevieawards.com/women/.

About Coverall Cleaning Concepts
Coverall Cleaning Concepts is one of the nation’s leading commercial cleaning Franchising companies, servicing nearly 40,000 customers in over 90 metropolitan cities worldwide. Coverall’s extraordinary growth is attributed to its system-wide network of Regional Support Centers, franchisees and support staff that are dedicated to serving the needs of its customers.  Small and large office buildings, industrial complexes, medical facilities, banks, department stores, and corporate headquarters are among the many types of accounts Coverall services.  When it comes to value, quality and responsiveness, Coverall Cleaning Concepts is the company Facility Managers have trusted for more than 19 years.

About The Stevie Awards
Hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post ( September 22, 2002 ), Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs.  Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.