Business Development Specialists Kathleen Purdy, Washington State University, located in Port Angeles, and Jack Wicks, Edmonds Community College, received Star Performer awards for business counseling. Adele Becker, Bellevue Community College, and Marcha Dillon, Community Colleges of Spokane, received Star Performer awards for their work with small business training programs. Businesses that emerge from their efforts are well-grounded in business fundamentals and are prepared for unlimited opportunities for growth and success. In presenting the business training awards, Riesenberg noted that consideration went beyond meeting goals. Because it was the inaugural year for the program, the Washington SBDC presented two awards in each category.
Plans call for single awards each year.
The Washington SBDC, part of Washington State University's College of Business and Economics, is the lead office for 23 education and 24 counseling centers statewide. These centers provide small business counseling, education and research services in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration.