WV SBDC Names Steve Roberts as New Business Coach for the Northern Panhandle
November 28, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has named Steve Roberts as a new business coach for the Northern Panhandle. Roberts has a diverse background of leadership roles in manufacturing, construction, energy, market development, project management, real estate, entrepreneurship, business consulting and workforce development. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to lead on the local, regional, and global levels. Previous roles have given him the opportunity to work closely with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and many advocacy groups to promote downstream shale gas development in the region. Roberts serves as the...
SBDC Business Coach Doug Spaulding Receives 2022 WV SBDC State Star Award
August 31, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Business Coach Doug Spaulding is being honored as West Virginia’s 2022 State Star, announced Steve Johnson, state director for the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC). Spaulding joins the ranks of honorees from each state who were announced in August 2022. America’s SBDC will be celebrating all the outstanding SBDC employees from each network at the 42nd annual conference, September 6-9th, 2022 at the Marriott Marquis in San Diego, CA. The criteria for State Stars include being an exemplary performer, making a significant contribution to their state or SBDC program, and showing a strong commitment to small businesses....
WV SBDC Names Carol Goolsby as New Business Coach for the Eastern Region
August 15, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has named Carol Goolsby as a new business coach for the Eastern Region. Goolsby will use her unique blend of professional experience in private, public, and nonprofit sectors, and higher education to help small business owners and entrepreneurs grow. A former small business owner, Goolsby offers a well-rounded perspective in business leadership. Goolsby holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a bachelor’s degree in Business Education. Goolsby is currently a professor at Shepherd University. “Her experience in higher education drives her passion to educate, empower, and mentor future...
Will Miller Named New Deputy Director of West Virginia Small Business Development Center
July 28, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center announces Will Miller as the new Deputy Director. Miller has spent the last three years as a business coach for the WVSBDC in the Charleston office. While in this position, he became a Certified Business Advisor through Kent State University. Miller holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration in International Business from West Virginia University. He has worked in sales, marketing, and management for small businesses here in the Mountain State and in the DC Metro area. Prior to Miller’s time with the SBDC,...
Steve Johnson named State Director of West Virginia Small Business Development Center
June 27, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After nearly a decade of service at the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, the agency announced today that Steve Johnson will be its next State Director. Johnson has served the WV SBDC in many roles including business coach, Network Coordinator, and most recently Deputy Director. He also has more than 25 years of small business ownership experience. “After working with West Virginia’s incredible small business owners over the last nine years, I am honored to take this position and guide the WV SBDC as it continues the vital work of helping our state’s small businesses start, expand...
WV SBDC celebrates National Small Business Week Award recipients in Fairmont
May 19, 2022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUjc7KZQ28M FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), joined by Small Business Administration (SBA) WV District Office officials, honored clients who received 2022 Small Business Week Awards during an invitation-only ceremony in Fairmont on May 6. “It is an honor to recognize this year’s Small Business Week Award winners, and especially exciting to celebrate a West Virginian who has earned national accolades,” said Vic Sprouse, WV SBDC interim director. “These entrepreneurs have found innovative ways to grow their businesses and create jobs in the Mountain State and the WV SBDC is proud to partner with them to support their continued success.”...
WV SBDC names Heidi Prior as new business coach in the New River Gorge area
December 21, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, announced that Heidi Prior is joining the agency as a business coach in the New River Gorge area of their Eastern Region. Heidi Prior, WV SBDC, Business Coach In this role, Prior will connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with services provided by the WV SBDC to help small businesses start, expand and succeed. Prior is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management & Tourism who spent more than a decade as a river guide...
WV SBDC names Luke Campbell as CARES Business Recovery Program specialist
October 21, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, appoints Luke Campbell to the post of WV SBDC CARES Business Recovery Program specialist. Luke Campbell, WV SBDC, CARES Business Recovery Program specialist Campbell, a native of West Virginia, earned a degree in business administration from Glenville State College. Campbell served in various positions in the insurance and professional employer organization (PEO) industry. A PEO provides payroll, benefits, and human resource services to small businesses. “Luke’s career has been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners increase their productivity...
State’s Small Business Development Center earns national accreditation
October 13, 2021State's Small Business Development Center earns national accreditation CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has earned full accreditation from the Association of Small Business Development Centers. Federal statutes mandate the accreditation review once every five years to continue program eligibility and funding. America’s SBDC is the national accrediting body for Small Business Development Centers under contract from the U.S. Small Business Administration. “The goal of accreditation is the long-term continuous improvement of the organization,” said WV SBDC State Director Debra Martin. “Earning the accreditation also assures our clients and partners of the tremendous value of...
“Come In, We’re Open” campaign to rally support for small businesses extends through Dec. 31
September 30, 2021“Come In, We’re Open” campaign to rally support for small businesses extends through Dec. 31 CHARLESTON, WV — The “Come In, We’re Open” campaign launched in June by the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) is now being extended through the end of 2021. The campaign encourages small business owners to showcase that they are open and ready for West Virginians to show them support. To participate, small business owners can download, print or pick up a “Come In, We’re Open” sign, hang it somewhere visible in their storefronts, and then post to their social media channels with...