The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presented Employee Excellence Awards to top performers during its network spring meeting April 25-27 in Little Rock.
ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine and Associate State Director Michael Singleton handed out the awards, which recognized staff for their 2022 accomplishments.
Awards in three categories – startups, capital projects, and capital acquisition – recognized outstanding performance in ASBTDC’s major consulting metrics.
Startup Star Ronda Hawkins of Arkansas Tech University and Lori Lieblong of UA Fayetteville were honored for assisting with the most new business starts.
The ASBTDC statewide network set an all-time best for capital acquisition, with clients’ capital investment topping $100 million for the first time in program history.
As Capital Acquisition Star, Hawkins was the consultant with the highest dollar amount of loans and other forms of capital funding reported by their clients last year. She assisted her clients with obtaining over $22 million in capital investment in 2022.
Other top performers in capital acquisition were named to the millions club. The club celebrates the dollar amount of capital investment the consultants helped their clients attain last year.
- $19 Million – Brandon Horvath (UA Little Rock)
- $10 Million – Mary Beth Brooks (UA Fayetteville)
- $7 Million – Nicolas Mayerhoeffer (UA Little Rock)
- $6 Million – Bill Sabo (UAFS)
Recognized for assisting their clients with the most funded capital projects for the year were Capital Projects Star Hawkins, Horvath, Lieblong, and Ryan Cole, UA Little Rock.
Winners of four awards were selected by a panel of guest judges from nominations submitted by the network.
The Arkansas State University regional office received the Game Changer of the Year award that recognizes a network member, collaborative team, or center for an innovative addition to ASBTDC services.
Karissa Graham of UA Little Rock was named Collaborator of the Year for outstanding collaboration, one of ASBTDC’s core value.
Diego Morales Ibarra of UA Little Rock was honored as Ambassador of the Year. The award recognizes the member of the network who excelled at promoting ASBTDC in their region or the state through outreach, media, and other activities.
Tania Martinez of UA Little Rock was named Rising Star. The award honors a network member under age 40 with fewer than three years of service with ASBTDC who has excelled in their position.
UAM Center Receives SBA Honor
The U.S. Small Business Administration honored the ASBTDC regional office at the University of Arkansas at Monticello with its 2023 Arkansas SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award.
SBA Arkansas Deputy District Director Jerry Talbert was on hand to present the award to UAM Director Aimee Weaver.
Criteria for the honor included achieving performance milestones; helping new and established small businesses increase revenues and create and retain jobs through innovative programs and events; and supporting local and regional small business and economic development by advancing opportunities for entrepreneurial development and educating the community about SBA programs.
UAM has hosted an ASBTDC regional office for many years. The center moved from the College of Technology in McGehee to the main campus in 2011. Weaver joined the program in 2018.
“Aimee Weaver’s extensive experience as a small business owner and banker make her uniquely qualified to support small businesses. I am tremendously proud of her work helping rural small businesses start and grow,” said Fine. “We are fortunate to have a strong partnership with the University of Arkansas at Monticello and appreciate the university’s continued investment in building the economy in southeast Arkansas.”