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Robbie Medders Robbie Medders, a 1974 graduate of Jacksonville State University and associate director of the JSU Small Business Development Center, has been named the Association of Small Business Development Centers’ 2003 Alabama State Star. Robbie got her start at the SBDC in 1982 and quickly demonstrated an uncommon talent and drive for helping small business owners overcome obstacles to success. During her JSU career she again became a student, and in 1994 completed her MBA at JSU. Today Robbie also directs the SBDC Government Procurement Technical Assistance Program, which helps businesses gain government contracts. The Small Business Development Center is a program of the Jacksonville State University College of Commerce and Business Administration. The SBDC operates as a division of the Center for Economic Development (CED). Earlier this month the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) recognized an outstanding SBDC employee from each state at their annual conference in San Diego, CA. These "State Stars" are all described as “commendable performers” who have made significant contributions to their state programs and have demonstrated a strong commitment to small businesses. "It was an honor to even be nominated," Robbie said. "It was very special to me to have been selected." Ninety percent of Alabama companies are considered small businesses, and 75 percent of all job growth comes from small businesses. Robbie went on to say that one of her greatest sources of satisfaction is helping small business owners who, in turn, improve the economic climate in Alabama. "Our success is the success of the people we help,” she said. Alabama SBDC State Director Bill Campbell, who nominated Robbie as the 2003 Alabama State Star, said, "Robbie Medders is a great individual with the ability to make things happen. She is positive, and has been with us since day one of the JSU SBDC." Carolyn Minerich, president of Carmin Industries in Jacksonville and Alabama's Small Business Person of the Year 2002, credits JSU's SBDC for helping her begin her business. She said Robbie Medders and others at the SBDC helped make innovative ideas become a reality. The SBDC services in a seven-county area of northeast Alabama (Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, St. Clair, and Talladega) and provides government procurement services to an additional two counties (Randolph and Clay). Annually, the SBDC assists more than 900 clients interested in starting a business or already in business. SBDC offers assistance in the following areas: Business startup, licensing, business structure, recordkeeping, taxes, insurance, business plans, cash flow, financial statements, and government procurement services. For more information about SBDC call 782-5271. |
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