Odyssey International Productions, a 501(c)(3) organization that recognizes the efforts and accomplishments small-business owners, individuals, and organizations who have contributed significantly to the development of their communities, has announced the winners of its 18th annual Awards of Excellence.

The award ceremony will take place November 17, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., in the Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Place, Newark, N.J. Melissa Persia Oliver, founder of Odyssey International Productions, said, “This event is designed to bring influential business leaders, entrepreneurs, and politicians together in an effort to create opportunities for business growth. Odyssey recognizes companies and individuals that have made substantial, outstanding contributions to their community that would not ordinarily receive recognition.”

The Awards of Excellence will be presented to the following recipients, including the Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence to the Honorable Mayor Wilda Diaz, City of Perth Amboy; the Outstanding Achievement Award to Rohan Defreitas, Principle/CEO, Crescent Consulting; and the Special Recognition Award to Pauline Gebon, Global Head of Supplier Diversity, MetLife; and I. Javette Hines, Director, Head of Supply Chain Development, Inclusion and Sustainability, Citi.

Paola Camargo, Manager of Training Programs and Outreach Events, The Regional Alliance for Small Contractors; Theresa Childress, Associate Director, National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.; Janald R. Walden, Deputy Diversity Compliance Manager, Tappen Zee Bridge- EnTech; Gregory A. Jenifer, President and CEO, Armand Resource Group, Inc.; and Patricia Fulks, Program Manager, Hudson County Department of Parks and Community Service, Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprise, will receive the Business Awards of Excellence.

The Entrepreneur Awards will be presented to Ronaldo Linares, CEO and Executive Chef, Martino's Cuban Restaurant; Rick Martinez, Owner, Senor Sangria; Leo Cervantes, Owner, Chilangos Mexican Restaurant; and Hipatia Lopez, owner, H.L. Unico LLC, Samuel P. Lamparello, President and CEO, MLB Residential Lending LLC will receive the Community Service Award. The 18th Year Green Diamond Award of Excellence will go Nettie Seaberry, Director, Strategy and Services, National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. For more information, tickets, sponsorships, or ads, visit www.odysseyip.com or contact M. Persia Oliver, 732-381-3003. Visit http://www.odysseyip.com/events for sponsorships and to view past winners.