WV SBDC names Mark Burdette as program coordinator for West Virginia BusinessLink
December 20, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, is excited to announce Mark D. Burdette as the new program coordinator for West Virginia BusinessLink. In this position, Burdette will oversee and promote West Virginia BusinessLink, a one-stop, online platform for entrepreneurs and business owners, including existing businesses, start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs, for resources in the state. Before joining the West Virginia Department of Economic Development with WV SBDC, Burdette worked in the private sector as co-founder of Citynet, along with starting and growing many other small businesses...
WV SBDC Names Bret Chandler as New Business Coach for the Charleston Area
November 28, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has named Bret Chandler as a new business coach for the Charleston area. In the role, Chandler will draw on his three decades of experience as an entrepreneur and executive to help small business owners and entrepreneurs grow. Chandler holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Marshall University. “Bret has valuable first-hand experience as a successful executive and entrepreneur,” Steve Johnson, director of WV SBDC, said. “Combined with his strong work ethic, he is fully committed to helping ensure...
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...