The two co-founders and co-owners of a Sewickley company are among 17 Western Pennsylvania women chosen this year as recipients of the state's 10th annual Best 50 Women in Business Awards. Jeannette P. Thomas is president and Marion P. Lewis is chief executive officer of Tachyon Solutions Inc.

An independent panel of judges selected the winners based on dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women in business.

The region's other winners were: M. Michele Sponholtz, senior vice president, Giant Eagle; Marie L. Feltz, president/owner, Interior Decorating Systems of Western Pennsylvania; Helen Hanna Casey, president, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services; Jackie Johnson, founder and chief executive officer, Corazon Consulting; Susan Baker Shipley, senior vice president and director, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania; Carrie Coghill, co-founder and president, DB Root & Co.

Also: Patty Kreamer, president, Kreamer Connect Inc.; Diedra E. Gross, owner and president, MAKK Strategies and MAKK Solutions; Carolyn J. Kubik, M.D., co-owner, Reproductive Health Specialists Inc.; Judy Wilt, owner, Once Upon A Child; Laura J. Huch Kerckhoff, president, CEO and co-owner, Castcon Stone Inc.; Laurie S. Nicholl, co-owner/principal, Nicholl Brandt Communications Inc.; Rebecca A. Thorne, president, Home Health Services by the Thorne Group Inc.; Carol H. Brady, president, C.H.&D. Enterprises Inc.; and Anne W. Yearick, president/treasurer, New Steps Rehab Inc.

The state will honor the winners at a ceremony May 23 at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg.

The awards are sponsored by the state and five Pennsylvania business journals.