COBB GALLERIA — Andy Crowe took a big a chance in 2002 when he quit his job as an information technology project manager to start his own business.

That risk paid off Monday when the company he founded, Kennesaw-based Velociteach, was selected as the 2012 Cobb Chamber Small Business of the Year.

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce recognized Crowe’s business along with 24 others during its First Monday Breakfast in front of a crowd of more than 400 guests.

“It’s an enormously overwhelming honor to be recognized by this Chamber,” Crowe said after being presented the award by Sundial Plumbing president Mitzi Moore, chairwoman of the Chamber’s Small Business Programs and 2010’s winner, and Drew Tonsmeire, area director for Kennesaw State University’s Small Business Development Center.

“When I quit my job, I had no idea what I was going to do, and it was Sept. 30, (2002,) when I looked at my wife and said, ‘I know what I’m going to do.’” He said. “Her eyes kind of got big and nervous, but it’s turned out to be a wonderful career.”

Crowe, 46, leads a team of 26 full-time and part-time employees and contractors who teach project management skills to companies and individuals from the United States to Saudi Arabia.

“We have a great team,” Crowe said, asking them to stand and be recognized. “These guys do the heavy lifting. They are an amazing team and the best group I could ever hope for, so this honor is really for you. Thank you very much.”

During the program, Moore and Tonsmeire also announced the Top 5 businesses, which included Velociteach, BlueWave Computing of Atlanta, The Color Spot of Marietta, Genesis Elevator Company of Kennesaw and Deluxe Athletics of Marietta.

Moore said an independent panel of judges composed of local business leaders chose the Top 25 companies, which each received a plaque from Chamber head Tony Britton and a representative from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“This year’s nomination and application process for the small business award was highly competitive,” Moore said. “We are extremely pleased not only with the number of businesses that applied but (also with) the outstanding quality of these businesses.”

The next First Monday Breakfast will be held on July 9 at the Cobb Galleria. The program will include a presentation on the Regional Transportation Referendum and will begin around 8 a.m.

Rest of Top 5

* BlueWave Computing, Atlanta

* The Color Spot, Marietta

* Genesis Elevator Company, Kennesaw

* Deluxe Athletics, Marietta

Nominees

* 524 Creative, Atlanta

* Puckett EMS, Austell

* Aventis Systems Inc., Marietta

* Rapid Learning Deployment, Roswell

* RGI, Marietta,

* Croft & Associates PC, Kennesaw

* Ryeco Inc., Marietta

* ShelfGenie, Marietta

* Ed Voyles Automotive Group, Marietta

* Superior Plumbing, Kennesaw

* Elite Telecom Services, Kennesaw

* The Bottoms Group LLC., Marietta

* Fulfillment Strategies International, Austell

* The Flag Company, Acworth

* IAG Forensics, Marietta

* The Service Fort LLC., Atlanta

* Innovative Marketing and Design, Smyrna

* Mopdog Creative + Strategy, Kennesaw

* Wendy Bunch LLC and RE/MAX Around Atlanta,

Marietta

* Omega Learning Center — West Cobb, Acworth