The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has named the CEO and owner of Metis Technology Solutions, Inc., Dr. Joy Colucci, as New Mexico’s 2022 Small Business Person of the Year. State-wide Small Business Persons of the Year are selected annually for their notable and lasting contributions to their communities through their skills and services. The theme of this year’s award ceremony is “Building a Better America Through Entrepreneurship,” and specifically seeks to highlight the resilience, ingenuity, and creativity of each award winner. Winners representing all 50 states will be formally recognized on May 5, 2022, during the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit’s Awards Ceremony.
“I am beyond honored to be recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as New Mexico’s 2022 Small Business Person of the Year,” said Dr. Colucci. “Though the award is given to an individual, the honor is reflective of the diligence and innovation of all Metis employees, the opportunities provided to Small Businesses by our Government customers, and the support of both the SBA and our large business mentor Axient.”
Metis has experienced rapid growth and continued success over the last calendar year. Most recently, Metis Technology Partners, LLC (MTP), an SBA-approved Mentor-Protégé joint venture between Metis and Axient, was awarded the U.S. Space Force Pad Safety Support Contract (PSSC) II, and Metis was selected for Phase II Small Business Innovative Research funding from NASA to develop autonomous robotics software. Since relocating the company to New Mexico in 2014, Metis has gone from a business of 20 employees to one of over 150 and increased its annual revenue by over 10 times.
The award is also yet another addition to an already crowded trophy case for Metis. Since beginning operations in 2011, Metis has received five NASA Small Business Industry Awards, including the agency-wide Small Business Subcontractor of the Year award in 2017. More recently, in September 2021 Metis was recognized for the fifth straight year by the New Mexico Flying 40 Awards as one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the state. Metis has also been awarded the U.S. Department of Labor’s HIREVets medallion for four straight years in recognition of the company’s commitment to hiring veterans and supporting their career development.