LSBDC at Southeastern Louisiana University Receives the SBA State and Regional SBDC Excellence & Innovation Award
Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Louisiana University (LSBDC SLU) has been named the top Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Louisiana and SBA Region VI. LSBDC SLU was among 22 award winners from around the state recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Louisiana Economic Development during a small business awards reception held at the Governor’s Mansion May 15th.
The SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award is given annually to the SBDC program that demonstrates excellence in providing value to small businesses and advancing program delivery and management through innovation.
“We hired some great people and they have done great work. This award is about our entire staff, Southeastern Louisiana University and LSBDC State Office all working together to better serve the business community and other Small Business Development Centers,” said Center Director William Joubert
For 10 years, the LSBDC SLU has been at the helm of economic development on the Northshore. In 2001, Joubert proposed to his host university, an innovative plan to create a one-stop shop for regional economic development with his LSBDC as the linchpin. In 2003, Joubert’s vision became a reality with the opening of the Southeast Louisiana Business Center that houses the LSBDC, an incubator, the Business Research Center, the Community Development Center, and various economic development organizations.
“The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Louisiana University has a long history of providing vital consulting services to individuals and organizations planning business start-ups or expansions,” said John L. Crain, President of Southeastern Louisiana University. “The Northshore area is the fastest growing region in the state, and the SBDC, along with the services provided through the university’s Southeast Louisiana Business Center, has created an environment that facilitates fast service to clients. The efforts of this team, with strong university support, have resulted in a model of private-university-public partnership that is proving to be highly successful in helping develop the economic potential of the region.”
Under the leadership of Joubert, the center has achieved unparalleled success by creating innovative programs, assembling a team of high quality business consultants and developing an in-depth network of resources. Since 2008, the center has served 1,762 clients and trained 4,243 individuals. The team helped clients create 2,027 jobs and save 612, secure $217 million in capital, start 108 new businesses and increase sales by $100 million.
“Bill is an exceptional leader,” praised LSBDC State Director Mary Lynn Wilkerson. “This is a well-deserved recognition for the efforts of the entire team and exceptional work with small businesses and entrepreneurs in Southeast Louisiana.”
Joubert and his team have demonstrated their commitment to small businesses by devising new ways to provide services and training related to revenue diversification and sales growth, using the latest technology and research to help entrepreneurs boost profits, and forming strategic alliances with public, private and government entities to leverage resources.
The center’s productivity, professionalism and dedication to entrepreneurship have been noted by the community, clients, resource partners, the media and many others who have worked with LSBDC SLU.
After being named top center of the year in the state of Louisiana, LSBDC SLU was nominated for the SBA Region VI Award. SBA Region VI is a five-state region that includes Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Receiving the award makes it one of the top 10 SBDC’s in the country for 2012. This is the center’s second state award and its first regional.
In addition to Joubert, other staff members recognized by the award were; assistant director Sandy Summers, and consultants Wayne Ricks, Steven Baham, Ginger Cangelosi, and Scott Uffman.
LSBDC SLU serves the five-parish region of Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington.
About LSBDC
Established in 1983, the LSBDC is the state’s premiere provider of small business assistance and the only statewide nationally accredited program that provides business consulting to entrepreneurs at no cost. Through a network of 10 centers, the LSBDC provides high quality one-on-one consulting, training and information resources to help new and existing businesses start, grow and succeed.
For more information about LSBDC, please visit www.lsbdc.org.
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