[Rear View]

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC) recently released its rankings of

the most entrepreneur-friendly states. The rankings are based on the public policy climate in various parts of the country and were published in the SBEC’s "Small Business Survival Index 2004." Where does your state rank?

Late last year, Nisus Corporation contributed to the efforts of the United Services Organizations (USO) by becoming a sponsor of the annual USO Gala. Nisus President Kevin L. Kirkland and his wife Carolyn attended the event.

The Gala raises funds for the USO, which is a private, non-profit organization relying on the contributions of individuals and businesses to support its efforts on behalf of U.S. armed forces. Last year, the USO Gala was held Oct. 14 in Washington, D.C., and honored legendary performer Wayne Newton, chair of the USO Celebrity Circle.

The black tie event featured a reception and dinner including a USO Service Hero Award ceremony and presentation of the Spirit of the USO Award to Newton.

The USO Gala directly benefited the men and women of the U.S. military.

Audrey Zimmerman (middle), whose father, John (right), is the general manager of Buffalo Exterminating Company in upstate New York, earned the highest score on the virtual surfing machine at the Dow AgroSciences booth at NPMA’s PestWorld convention in Hawaii last October.

The family showed great skill on the surfing game, with each member averaging more than 4,000 points apiece. Scores of all virtual surfing participants averaged in the mid-1,000s.