Alpine Academy and Interventions Unlimited Owner Jing Zhou Named SBA Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year

Jing Zhou, Director of Alpine Academy and President of Interventions Unlimited, Inc. has been named the State of Florida Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year. Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) North Florida District Director, made the announcement at the 2014 Small Business Awards Luncheon held on May 20th in Orlando.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Zhou has “set a wonderful example for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to follow.”

Zhou came to the United States in 1990 from China to pursue a Master’s degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at Southern Illinois University, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In 2000 she started Interventions Unlimited, Inc., to provide a wide range of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities or behavioral difficulties. In 2007 she opened Alpine Academy, a full-time school for special-needs children.

Over the past 14 years, the two companies have served approximately 3000 children and their families in Central Florida. Through her work, Zhou has helped many nonverbal children speak their first words. Parents have expressed their gratitude to Zhou for maximizing their children’s potential to have a worthy quality of life.

“This award is for all the children and parents who inspire us every day, as well as all of our dedicated therapists and staff, and all the wonderful people who have contributed to our success,” said Zhou.