SPOKANE – Jan Harte, a Certified Business Advisor for the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Vancouver service center was presented the Ron Battles Excellence Award on Friday June 26. The award, presented by SBDC State Director Brett Rogers, was given in recognition of Harte’s quality service to her clients in Southwest Washington’s Clark and Skamania Counties.
“Jan was selected for this award based on a number of strong nominations from clients, her body of work demonstrating commitment to excellence, and her ‘above & beyond’ approach to her clients, her peers, the community, and stakeholders at large,” said Rogers.
The Ron Battles Excellence Award was conceived as a means to honor the late Ron Battles’ legacy as a gifted business advisor and to recognize in others the same commitment to quality service that Battles displayed in his nine-year career with the SBDC. Battles died in October, 2005 following a courageous two-year struggle against cancer.
“I am confident that Ron Battles would be delighted that Jan is being recognized for her strong commitment to excellence and client service,” said Rogers.
Harte is a former business owner, instructor and a specialist in finance and human resource issues. She first got involved with the SBDC under a subcontract arrangement with the Columbia River EDC from August 1987 to July 1990. After completing her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Portland and working as a private consultant, Harte re-joined the SBDC in 1995 as an employee of Washington State University. Harte was recognized as the SBDC’s 1998 Star Performer and later that year accorded the State Star for Washington award at the national conference of the Association of Small Business Development Centers.
As a Certified Business Advisor and Regional Coordinator for the Southwest Washington SBDC Region, Harte provides no-fee, confidential advising to clients in a wide range of small business. She assists clients from manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, multi-unit retailers and professional service providers and more on loan application packages, forecasting, all aspects of debt and equity funding, written business plans, business expansions and other topics driven by the client’s needs. Her ability to use her education and experience to the benefit of the clients she serves is again confirmed by their nominating her for this award.
The Small Business Development Center in Vancouver is funded by Washington State University. Harte serves her clientele from her office in the Eastridge Business Park.
The Washington Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) provides professional management and technical assistance through no-charge confidential counseling and low-cost training to current and prospective business owners. It is a cooperative effort between Washington State University, participating community colleges, economic development organizations and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
For more information on the mission and services of the SBDC visit the network Web site at http://www.wsbdc.org.
