Job Creators Network Announces Small Business Award Winners

Washington, D.C. (January 25, 2021)—Today, the Job Creators Network (JCN) announced the winners of three of its awards: Carlos Gazitua, owner of Sergio’s Family Restaurants in Florida, was named Small Business Owner of the Year; Dr. CL Gray, a practicing physician and founder of Physicians for Reform, received the JCNFreedom Fighter Award; and Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), won the 2020 Small Business Defender Award.

Carlos Gazitua, the recipient of the Small Business Owner of the Year award, is the owner of Sergio’s, a family-owned business that has served high quality Cuban-American food since 1975 and has grown to thirteen locations. Alfredo Ortiz, JCN President and CEO, released the following statement:

“I’m so pleased to recognize Carlos Gazitua as the Job Creators Network Small Business Owner of the Year. The past year has been tough for small businesses and Carlos stepped-up to help the community and advocate on behalf of Main Street. After utilizing the Paycheck Protection Program, Sergio’s Family Restaurant was able to adapt to keep patrons and staff safe, as well as provide thousands of free meals to first responders, healthcare workers and others in need. Carlos and his actions during the pandemic deserve our admiration.”   

Dr. CL Gray, a practicing physician and founder of Physicians for Reform, is the recipient of the JCNFreedom Fighter Award. In 2020, Dr. Gray worked tirelessly alongside the JCN Foundation to push for patient-centered healthcare reform. The result of the combined efforts is a reform framework called Healthcare for You—which provides a blueprint for policy changes to rival ideas like Medicare for All, or the public option. Alfredo Ortiz, JCN President and CEO, released the following statement:

“It’s my pleasure to give the Job Creators Network Freedom Fighter Award to Dr. Gray, who has been a tireless advocate for healthcare reform rooted in choice and aimed at strengthening the patient-doctor relationship. He understands that simply injecting more government into healthcare will make the current system worse—specifically harming patients. Dr. Gray has helped to provide a viable alternative to more government intervention that utilizes the free market to provide all Americans with quality, affordable healthcare.”

Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), won the 2020 Small Business Defender Award. Mr. Rogers joined AHLA in 2019 after leading the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and has previously served in the Georgia state legislature.  Alfredo Ortiz, JCN President and CEO, released the following statement:

“I’m so pleased to name Chip Rogers as the Job Creators Network Small Business Defender of the Year. Small independent hotels were hit hard by the pandemic over the past year as travel came to a virtual standstill and government rules further restricted operations. Chip helped the industry navigate the uncharted waters and was a fierce defender of small businesses on the edge of bankruptcy. Main Street is lucky to have such a strong advocate.”