SBDC Advisor Newsletter Fall 2008 – Awards

in this issue

SBDC News & Information

SBDC Helps Researcher Gain $3.5 Million to Develop Power Packs

Consultant Profile: George Boehm

How to Thrive in an Economic Downturn

Results of SBDC’s Defense Assistance Felt Ten Years Later

Food Businesses Require Prep Time to Succeed

Steps to Start a Specialty Food Business

Capitol Views SPECIAL ISSUE: Presidential Candidates Forum

Congress Working on Improvements to Small Business Innovation Research Bill

Educational Programs

Pennsylvania SBDC Technology Program Achieves National Recognition

The Technology Commercialization Assistance team will represent the Pennsylvania SBDC’s high impact work nationally as Pennsylvania’s State Stars presented by the Association of Small Business Development Centers.

These seven specialists provided thousands of technology-based businesses with assistance on issues ranging from market research to capital formation and intellectual property rights. The SBDCs technology clients have recorded more than $176.5 million in financial investments in the last eight years alone, including nearly $40 million in Small Business Innovation Research grants from federal agencies.

The work performed by the SBDC’s technology consultants has garnered national attention. The National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health, and other federal agencies have invited SBDC consultants to sit on the national review boards and speak at numerous national technology conventions.

In 2006, the Pennsylvania SBDC became one of just nine SBDC programs nationwide accredited for its technology services. Recent legislation leverages this designation to facilitate small business grant applicants for technology-based research (see article on page 13).

As founding members of the Innovation Partnership, the Pennsylvania SBDC technology consultants have also played a vital role in helping Pennsylvania firms locate and obtain federal funds for technology development. In fact, more than 35 percent of all Innovation Partnership micro-grants went to SBDC clients. These grants are critical to developing competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding proposals.

To learn more about the SBDC’s Technology Commercialization Assistance services, visit www.pasbdc.org/technology. Article End

Pennsylvania State Stars

Margie Beard	Margie Beard, Technology Consultant at the Temple University SBDC, has over 25 years experience working with entrepreneurs in a broad range of industries. She previously worked for Mellon Bank and Chase Manhattan Bank where she managed multimillion dollar portfolios. Margie has an MBA in Marketing Management from Yale School of Management and a BA in Economics from Stanford University.
George Boehm	George Boehm, Technology Consultant at the Kutztown University SBDC, has over 30 years experience in the Aerospace Industry working with both large and small firms. He has established and managed manufacturing divisions for multiple engineering companies working with the US Navy and has significant experience with government contracting.
Christopher Jones	Christopher Jones, Technology Consultant at the Lehigh University SBDC, has spent 20 years working with economic development organizations focused on providing services to technology businesses in Pennsylvania. Chris possesses an extensive background in business management and financial operations.
Steve Overholt	Steve Overholt, Technology Consultant at the Gannon University SBDC, founded two companies working in the software and technology development spheres. Steve has worked to streamline operations and increase sales for both small organizations and Fortune 500 corporations.
Gregory Rice	Gregory Rice, Technology Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh SBDC, specializes in assisting local business owners who are seeking Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from the federal government. He recently served on a National Science Foundation grant review panel and the Investment Screening Committee for Blue Tree Capital Group, experiences which provide him with additional insights into the application process.
Steven Stumbris	Steven Stumbris, Assistant Director for Technical Consulting at the Bucknell University SBDC, works with the Bucknell’s College of Engineering to provide applied engineering research, design, and analysis services in support of clients’ new product development and manufacturing process improvements. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and offers diverse industry experience spanning marine electronics, wood products manufacturing, plastic extrusion and mobile heavy equipment.
Tom Wren	Tom Wren, Director of Specialized Programs for the Pennsylvania SBDC, has over 30 years experience in the acquisition and procurement processes of the federal government. Tom has worked closely with numerous federal agencies including the Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Commerce, and other agencies involved in e-commerce initiatives, procurement, technology commercialization, and international business assistance.

SBA Recognizes SBDC Clients in Annual Award Ceremonies

SBDC clients across the state received recognition for their business acumen at the 2008 Small Business Award ceremonies sponsored by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The awards ceremonies were held on May 23 in Pittsburgh at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel and June 5 in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park.

The award for Small Business Person of the Year went to SBDC clients in both the Western and Eastern regions of the state. In Western Pennsylvania, Joseph Keller, a client of the Saint Francis University SBDC, received the prestigious award. Keller, President of Keller Engineers, Inc., opened his business in 1991 after working for several civil engineering firms. From his early days as sole employee of Keller Engineers, Keller focused on coupling positive client relations with quality services. Today, the firm boasts 56 employees and annual revenues in excess of $4 million.

In Eastern Pennsylvania, Bob Pierson, CEO of Farm to City, received the Small Business Person of the Year Award. Pierson worked with consultants at the Wharton SBDC to help analyze and refine his company’s marketing approach. Pierson called the analysis “a major insight for me” noting his surprise “that we weren’t reaching a lot of people who walk by the locations of the markets every day.” Based on his consultants’ analysis and advice, Pierson has shifted his company’s marketing materials to reflect consumer interest in freshness and is targeting customers who live near the company’s farmers markets.

In addition to the seasoned business owners assisted by the SBDCs, two young entrepreneur clients of the SBDCs received recognition for their success. Peter Lambert, owner of Red Star Ironworks, received the Western PA Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Red Star Ironworks specializes in decorative and architectural metalwork projects. For Lambert, who dropped out of high school at the end of 10th grade, the award is “a nice kind of feather to tuck in the cap.” With help from the University of Pittsburgh SBDC, Lambert has built his business to $450,000 in sales and nine employees. No small feat considering that Lambert started Red Star with only a $7,000 loan and a welder.

Demetri J.M. Patitsas, President of Absolute Creo, LLC received the Eastern PA Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Absolute Creo operates ice cream trucks in Huntingdon, Blair, and Centre counties. The Saint Francis University SBDC provided Patitsas with industry analysis and marketing research. Patitsas has expanded his fleet to three ice cream trucks and offers event bookings in addition to local service.

For more information on the 2008 SBA Small Business Awards, visit www.sba.gov/pa. Article End

Saint Francis Award Winners
Saint Francis University SBDC Director Ed Huttenhower (far right) congratulates the award winners.

Saint Francis University SBDC Honors Entrepreneurs and Small Business Advocates

The Saint Francis University SBDC honored the Southern Alleghenies Region’s most successful entrepreneurs and small business advocates at its annual Small Business Awards Luncheon. The event, held June 11 in the JFK Student Union on the Saint Francis University campus, focused on the achievements of the area’s entrepreneurs as well as the important role played by the community members who assist them.

Two clients of the SBDC received awards during the ceremony. The Small Business Person of the Year Award went to William Z. Feather, owner of Shirley’s Cookie Company, Inc. Feathers purchased the company in 1967 and has steadily expanded the business since then. In 2003, the company moved to its present location with assistance from the SBDC. Since the move, the company has seen revenues triple and employment grow from 24 to 94 employees.

G. Shaun Akers, another client of the SBDC, received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Akers, sole proprietor of Akers Funeral Chapel in Saxton, purchased the funeral home in 2004 with help from the SBDC. By focusing on customer service, Akers has seen business increase in the past four years and he is currently nearing completion of a second funeral home in Everett.

Other awards presented at the ceremony included Small Business Exporter of the Year to Michael Del Grosso of Del Grosso Foods, Inc.; Financial Services Advocate of the Year to Daniel Nead of Omega Bank; and Women in Business Advocate of the Year to Amy Seltzer of Seltzer Financial Services. Article End