Jill Kline
Wyoming small business owners must constantly make decisions concerning their business or business idea -- that's where the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can lend a helping hand.
Newly-hired state director Jill Kline says the development and growth of small business in Wyoming is what the SBDC is all about. The SBDC is a partnership among the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBDC focuses on educating small business owners and potential owners on how to successfully start and operate small businesses.
"The SBDC is a great asset to Wyoming business. It is so important for them to have a place to turn to ask questions, get advice and to strategize in order to make informed decisions," says Kline, who succeeds Diane Wolverton as the SBDC state director. "That's how we work with Wyoming's small businesses -- we assist them with business-related questions to help them to grow and operate successful, profitable businesses."
The SBDC serves the entire state with regional offices located in Casper, Cheyenne, Gillette, Powell, Riverton, Rock Springs and a satellite office in Laramie. The state office is inside the UW Education Annex Building.
As state director, Kline oversees and promotes three programs: The SBDC, the Market Research Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Her duties include overseeing program management, fiscal responsibilities, leadership, strategic planning, public outreach and maintaining strategic partnerships and relationships.
"We have worked closely with Jill for quite some time and have always appreciated her hard work and dedication to helping Wyoming's small businesses," says Bob Jensen, WBC chief executive officer. "We are confident Jill will do an exceptional job as the SBDC state director and look forward to working with her in her new role. Our relationship with SBDC and others in the Business Resource Network is so important to the work we are all trying to accomplish in helping our businesses and economy grow. "
Steven Despain, the Wyoming district director for the SBA, says Kline's skills are a valuable asset for the SBDC.
"Small businesses are the heart of the U.S. economy, generating the majority of the new jobs in this country and the majority of the first jobs. And with Kline's background, she will be a good state director," he says. "Jill will carry on the tradition of excellence that has been the trademark of the SBDC the past 17 years. She knows that small businesses are the embodiment of people's dreams and hopes. Success of the small businesses she works with daily is about people's lives and futures."
For more information about the SBDC, visit the website at http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/SBDC/.
