“State Star” award to local SBDC Director
AMES, Iowa — Alan D. Beach, Regional Director of the Kirkwood Community College Small Business Development Center located at the KTOS Center in Marion, was named the 2009 Iowa “State Star” by the national Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC).
The national association annually recognizes Small Business Development Center employees for demonstrating a strong work performance, contributing to the organization’s economic development efforts, and committing their time and talents to small businesses.
Beach, who’s only been with the organization for sixteen months, was nominated by his associates for the honor. He will be honored at a special reception held during the ASBDC annual fall conference in Orlando, Florida on Sept. 17.
“This nomination by Al’s peers recognizes the outstanding job he has done for the Iowa Small Business Development Center at Kirkwood Community College, and further recognizes the leading role he has taken in assisting Cedar Rapids area businesses to recover from the 2008 flood,” says State Director Jim Heckmann. “We thank Al for his hard work and dedication to the success of small business in Iowa.”
Kirkwood Vice President of Continuing Education and Training Services, Dee Baird also praised Beach’s work and contributions.
“Al and his team have provided significant leadership this past year to small businesses, especially those impacted by the flood. This award indicates recognition of this effort by his peers,” Baird said.
Past recipients of the award include the former associate state director and regional directors from Davenport, Urbandale, Mason City, Waterloo, Iowa City and Spencer.
The Iowa Small Business Development Center program is an outreach unit of Iowa State University’s College of Business. Partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the organization has 15 regional business assistance centers located strategically across the state.
Since program inception in 1981, the organization has provided expert, confidential business counseling and affordable, practical training workshops to hundreds of thousands of Iowa businesses and entrepreneurs.
For more information on Iowa Small Business Development Center programs or services, call (515) 294-2030 or visit
[Information provided by Iowa SBDC.]