Washington SBDC names center director ‘State Star’

VANCOUVER – The Washington Small Business Development Center program has named Jan Harte, director of its center at WSU Vancouver, the business assistance organization’s 2010 “State Star.”
 
“I am delighted to recognize Jan for extraordinary contributions to the work of the Washington SBDC and small business in Washington State,” said Brett Rogers, director of the WSBDC.
 
Rogers said Harte was chosen for the Washington SBDC honor for being an outstanding performer, making a major contribution to the Washington SBDC program and showing a strong commitment to small business in Washington State.
 
“It is an honor to accept this award and to have the opportunity everyday to assist so many entrepreneurs in achieving the dream of starting and succeeding in their own business,” said Harte.
 
Harte is a small business management specialist serving existing for-profit business owners and late stage start-ups in Clark and Skamania Counties who helps clients in Southwest Washington gain skills and knowledge in strategic business planning, market analysis, operations and financial management.
 
She has been a small business adviser and center director with WSU’s SBDC network for 18 years, working with more than 1500 clients – some of whom have invested over $23.5 million in Southwest Washington. Harte also is a former owner of a business consulting and training company and was a branch manager for a non-bank lender.
 
She has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Portland and a bachelor’s degree in business administration management from Portland State University. Her areas of specialization include hiring, motivating, training, evaluating and administering employees; developing business plans and loan proposals; analyzing financial statements to improve profitability; performing and interpreting market research; and bringing a new product to market.
 
America’s Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations.It is the Small Business Administration’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses.