WILMINGTON -- Deborah Mannis-Gardner was officially honored as the Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year at the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial and Business Women's Expo, sponsored by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. The event was held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.

Mannis-Gardner is president of DMG Clearances, Inc., a music clearance company she started after working in the industry for Diamond Time and RCA Records.

Kimberly Connell, president of First State Elevator was recognized as Business woman of the Year by the NCCCC. Connell's focus on customer service and the needs of her customers have helped her find success in the male-dominated field.

Katherine Hopkins Grieco of Hopkins & Sons, Inc. was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.  Greico, who is retired, was the third-generation owner of the business. According to the NCCCC, she grew the business to $5M in gross sales and expanded the service to larger corporate contracts.

Keynote speaker at the event was Liz Scott, co-executive director of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.