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...
SBDC Business Coach Sharon Stratton receives 2021 WV SBDC State Star award
September 21, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Business Coach Sharon Stratton is being honored as West Virginia’s 2021 State Star, announced Debra Martin, state director for the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC). Stratton joins the ranks of honorees from each state who were announced in August 2021 by America’s SBDC. The State Stars will be recognized during the America’s SBDC virtual annual conference, Sept. 21 – 24, 2021. 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 business. Sharon Stratton, WV SBDC Business Coach, Northern Region “This...
WV SBDC appoints Tyler Brandstetter as FASTER WV Business Launch specialist
August 23, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, names Tyler Brandstetter as FASTER WV Business Launch specialist. FASTER WV stands for Fostering Advantages for Startups for Entrepreneurial Resurgence in West Virginia. An initiative of Advantage Valley, FASTER WV aims to launch more new businesses and grow existing businesses in targeted sectors such as outdoor recreation, healthcare and small manufacturing. The program prepares potential entrepreneurs with skills, one-on-one business coaching and access to capital through a loan fund. FASTER WV focuses on Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam...
WV SBDC names Michael Boyd and Doug Harper as new business coaches in statewide network
August 9, 2021CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, announces the appointments of two new business coaches. Michael Boyd leads the Eastern Panhandle Center. Based in Martinsburg, the center focuses on small businesses in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties. Doug Harper heads the Huntington Center, primarily covering Cabell, Mason Lincoln, and Wayne counties. “Both Michael and Doug have first-hand experience as successful executives and entrepreneurs,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin. “They will help small businesses connect with the tools, talents and resources they need to succeed.” Michael...