Three counselors from Ohio University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) were recognized at the Ohio SBDC statewide conference in November for earned certifications and outstanding work.
Counselors from Ohio’s network of 28 Small Business Development Centers attend the state conference every year. The two-day gathering features training sessions on topics related to maximizing economic impact, enriching quality of services, strengthening teams and more.
Cindy Voorhies, SBDC director and business advisor for Belmont, Guernsey and Muskingum counties, received the Peer Advocacy Award for her distinguished work in promoting SBDC services. The award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond to educate and raise awareness of the Small Business Development Center, especially with funding partners and local officials.
OHIO SBDC Regional Director Lissa Jollick nominated Voorhies for the award for her constant outreach to make economic development officials more aware of the SBDC, and to ensure partners are aware of ways the SBDC can assist them.
“I feel blessed to be working for someone that respects me and values my work,” Voorhies said. “When I won, I felt truly blessed to be working for Lissa, OHIO and with the Ohio Small Business Development Center network.”
Advisors Carleen Dotson and John Voorhies received their Certified Business Advisor designations. The Certified Business Advisor is a graduate-level certification process administered by Kent State University. Its three courses on human resource management, marketing and accounting/finance are designed to maximize on-the-job performance by those who advise small businesses. All Ohio SBDC counselors are required to earn the certification within six months of being hired.
Jollick said her team’s recognition at the state conference is further proof that the Ohio University SBDC is doing an exceptional job. The SBDC was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Region V Small Business Development Center of the Year for 2018 . The OHIO SBDC serves businesses in 12 Southeast Ohio counties including Athens, Meigs, Hocking, Perry, Fairfield, Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Muskingum, Guernsey and Belmont.
“When we have staff that’s getting recognized, it’s continuing to reinforce the fact that we are a best-practice center, and our performance is creating high level results,” Jollick said.