Sheree Thomas Nails It!
Thomas is Pennsylvania’s Small Business Person of the Year
Construction advocate and company president Sheree Thomas just hammered home how a one-woman shop can grow into a multi-faceted, award-winning company thanks to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The founder and president of SB Thomas & Associates will be honored in Washington, D.C. as the Pennsylvania Small Business Person of the Year and vie for the SBA’s national title during the federal agency’s 62nd annual celebration of National Small Business Week, May 4-10.
“It’s amazing. I couldn’t believe it,” said Thomas, “I was so excited because it’s a lot of work to start and grow your own business.”
Thomas began her quest at the local level when she was chosen as the SBA’s Western Pennsylvania District Office Small Business Person of the Year. The nomination package, compiled by the Chatham University Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, an SBA Women’s Business Center, was then forwarded to the regional SBA office in Philadelphia to compete with the Eastern Pennsylvania District winner to represent the state.
The accolades belie Thomas’ humble beginnings, starting her one-woman shop from a spare bedroom. “I had an extensive background in contracting, bidding and project management,” Thomas explained. “I thought there was an opportunity for a local women-owned construction management firm, so I started in 2007 as the sole employee and took whatever jobs I could.”
Fast-forward to 2025, through word-of-mouth marketing and stellar reviews, Thomas and her team are out in force managing new construction and major renovations of buildings and inspecting roadwork and small bridge projects throughout Allegheny County. “If you’ve ever driven on a county road or city speed hump, chances are SB Thomas has been there,” she added. “We’re the eyes and ears for our clients, representing them and helping to make sure the work is completed according to contract requirements.”
Thomas said the SBA really helped her business survive and thrive. “I have fully utilized everything they have to offer,” she stated. “On the morning of the pandemic shutdown, I contacted the local SBA office at 6:30 a.m. and District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt answered and told me about upcoming funding programs that would be available for us. We also used the district office expertise to apply for and grow under the SBA’s Mentor Protégé Program (MPP).
The MPP helps an eligible small business protégé, like SB Thomas, gain capacity and win government contracts through partnerships with more experienced companies, serving as mentors. Through a joint-venture agreement with their mentor and the U.S. Air Force, Thomas’ business soared to new heights. “Through this agreement, we were part of a team tasked with documenting the condition of tens of thousands of Air Force housing units around the globe,” she said. “Our team was stateside and in Germany, Japan, South Korea and Australia.”
Hunt said she is pleased the SBA and its partners at Chatham University were able to help Thomas from startup to her foray into government contracting. “Whether it’s a business plan, funding or contracting, our agency is here to assist every entrepreneur start and grow their business,” she added.
Thomas, who never imagined her business going international, credits her mentors, staff and support agencies.
“We have such a good team with repeat customers and that speaks highly of our people,” she said. “Owning and growing a small business takes hard work but I could not have done it without the great people that work for SB Thomas.”