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The General Services Administration has nominated Ali O’Neill, co-owner of O’Neill Electric Inc. of Portland, for a Small Business Administration 2011 Oregon award.

Agency officials nominated O’Neill for in the Small Business Person of the Year category, citing her professionalism during the company’s work on five GSA projects in the Portland area since 2008.

“Ms. O’Neill’s response to requested projects has been nothing less than professional and very timely. She always presents a willingness to discuss a project with the GSA project managers to better define the needs, regardless of whether the project will be reduced because of the discussions,” officials wrote in the nomination form.

Maurice Rahming, co-owner of the company and president, said the company is honored by the nomination, especially considering GSA’s broad national scope.

“To isolate us was pretty exciting,” Rahming said. “We think the nomination in itself is pretty impressive.”

The 13-year-old electric and general contracting company has 55 employees and has grown significantly over the past two years. In June 2008, when the company started working with GSA, it had 25 employees, the nomination form said.

“All of the project managers, property managers and assistant property managers that have worked with O’Neill Electric have stated that it is a pleasure working with O’Neill Electric as they know they will receive a thoroughly professional product,” the form said.