Friday Spotlight 12-14: Small-business happenings

Small business leaders took top honors at last week's awards gala sponsored by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce:

-Express Logistic Services is the 2012 Small Business of the Year. Owner Kojo Sapon started his company with just one dump truck, and grossed just under $100,000 in the first year, according to the Chamber. Today, the company runs 40 trucks, and expects $3 million in gross revenue this year. Sapon’s company was a 2010 nominee for the N.C. Department of Transportation’s small business of the year, according to the chamber.

- Herb Gray is the 2012 Small Business Influencer of the Year. A philanthropist and community leader, Gray is chief operating officer of Charlotte-based Life Enhancement Services, which serves clients with mental and behavioral health disorders. The business also has offices in Georgia, Nebraska, Washington D.C. and Texas.

Also, Glenn Proctor, executive editor of Lake Norman Publications – which includes the Herald Weekly serving North Mecklenburg and Mooresville Weekly – was named CMBCC Member of the Year. Proctor is former executive editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.