Small business development director earns state designation

LAWRENCE — Will Katz, University of Kansas Small Business Development Center regional director, has been awarded the 2015 Kansas SBDC State Star designation. The honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in work performance, initiative and creativity to grow small businesses in Kansas.

“The State Star award is, in part, recognition that the entire KU team has been performing at a high level,” Katz said. “Our center was recognized for its innovation.”

KU’s SBDC consults area businesses with planning, financial benchmarks and market analysis.

“We’ve added services that most SBDCs do not offer,” he said.

Last year, Katz achieved a Certified Valuation Analyst designation to aid businesses access capital. KU SBDC Consultant Brian Dennis earned a designation that allows his team to offer business continuity planning services.

“SBDC consultants are highly involved in helping small businesses deal with a changing global environment,” Katz said.

In 2014, Katz and his team assisted 58 new businesses, created or saved 421 jobs, raised $10 million in capital and generated $16 million in increased revenue, he said.

“We won’t rest on our laurels,” Katz said. “We continue to develop tools in the areas of access to capital, export, inclusive entrepreneurship, lean strategies and more.”

KU’s SBDC is one of 1,100 SBDCs in the U.S. and is housed within the School of Business. It serves Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Atchison, Leavenworth and Doniphan counties in Kansas.

The KU SBDC collaborates with KU’s Office of the Provost, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Bioscience and Technology Business Center, KU Innovation and Collaboration and the greater northeast Kansas region.

Learn more at business.ku.edu.