Bill Lotto Receives SBDC Silver Star Award

SPOKANE, Wash.– Bill Lotto received the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network Silver Star award at the Tri-State Regional Spring SBDC Conference in Portland on Monday, May 15. Lotto is the executive director of the Lewis County Economic Development Council based in Chehalis, Wash., and serves as a member of the Washington SBDC Advisory Board.

The Lewis County EDC has hosted an SBDC business advisor in the EDC office since 2001 and Lotto is actively working to help secure additional resources to allow the SBDC to enhance its service delivery.

“Bill has been a tireless proponent for economic development in Washington State and an effective advocate for directing resources to get the best return on investment,” said Brett Rogers, state director of the Washington SBDC.

Lotto earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in international trade from the University of Washington. He has written for various economics publications and done research on numerous regional economic topics. Lotto also served as past president of the Seattle Economists Club and served twice as president of the State Association for Economic Development Councils. 

Previously, Lotto served as an economist for Seattle First National Bank, research director for the Economic Development Council of Puget Sound, president of Thurston County EDC, director of the Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, COO of a private textile manufacturing firm and has owned a Christmas tree farm for 18 years.

The Washington SBDC Silver Star award was created in 2005 during the network’s 25th anniversary. The award is presented to partners, clients and stakeholders that have helped promote and expand the vision of the SBDC to provide expert technical assistance, training and business services to small businesses across the state.

Since its inception, the Silver Star award has gone to Rep. Kelli Linville, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce; Bates Technical College; the Puget Sound Business Journal; Evergreen Community Development Association; and several other key stakeholders across the state.

The SBDC provides no-charge confidential counseling and low-cost training to current and prospective business owners. It is a cooperative effort between Washington State University, Western Washington University, 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 https://www.wsbdc.org.