Head of YSU SBDC earns "State Star" award
Patricia Veisz, director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Youngstown State University, received the “State Star” award at the 36th Annual “America’s SBDC” conference in Orlando, Fla.
The award is given to an SBDC employee who displays exemplary performance in four areas innovation, collaboration, partnership building, productivity and impact, and network development.
“Patricia Veisz is an exceptional member of the WCBA team,” said Betty Jo Licata, dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration at YSU. “Her commitment to economic development and the preparation of our business students, has resulted in new programs and opportunities that serve our students and the region.”
Under Veisz’s leadership, SBDC services have expanded to include the Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network (formerly known as ITAC), which offers international trade consulting services throughout Northeast Ohio. The EAN, in partnership with the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, is providing leadership for the 10-county Ohio-Pennsylvania Stateline Export Initiative to help bring export awareness, foreign direct investment and supply chain matching to the region. The SBDC at YSU was also selected by the SBA to be the first university in Ohio to offer the Emerging Leaders (E-200) Program. In partnership with the city of Youngstown, the training program benefits existing companies through the development of a strategic growth action plan for their business.
In 2016, the SBDC and the EAN also received: the SBA Cleveland District award for “Center Excellence and Innovation,” the NASBITE award for “Advancing International Trade,” the “President’s E Award for Exporting” for the Export Internship Program and, in collaboration with the Regional Chamber, the International Economic Development Council’s Silver Award for the Ohio-Pennsylvania Stateline Export Initiative.
The SBDC at YSU continues to show significant impact on economic development in the region with consistent increases in jobs created, jobs retained, export sales, general business sales and capital formation. Services of the center include: financial modeling and analysis, marketing and social media strategy, export and international trade consulting, domestic and international market research and business loan proposals.
The SBDC also engages YSU students in business consulting projects. This past year more than 3,800 consulting hours were delivered through Beeghly Interns and graduate assistants at the SBDC, as well as class projects with WCBA business students and faculty.
“The SBDC at Youngstown State University is a valuable contributor to the economic development of the Mahoning Valley and the business preparation of our students. Its economic impact is felt throughout the region,” YSU President Jim Tressel said.