Ty and Trudie Safreno of Trust Automation have been honored with this year’s Central California Small Business Person of the Year Award.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Fresno District Office selected the Safrenos for their company’s contribution to the region’s economy. The San Luis Obispo-based small business, which makes devices that control high-precision electric motors and rugged power electronics, was founded in 1990 after the Safrenos graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Since then, the company has moved from a 3,000-square-foot warehouse to a 49,500-square-foot facility that houses 63 employees.

According to a news release from the SBA, the agency honors entrepreneurs in Central California each year based on several criteria, including growth and staying power. Trust Automation, which was nominated for the award by the Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo, was selected out of businesses from 15 counties.

“[Trust Automation]’s founders, Ty and Trudie Safreno, have worked hard to build a family-owned, small business that is the envy of many communities throughout the nation, while simultaneously raising a family, giving back to the community through nonprofits, and growing a technology company,” EVC President Mike Manchak said in a news release.

An awards reception will be help on June 17 at Trust Automation’s headquarters in SLO.