MISSOURI – On Jan. 27, 2021, the University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program (BDP) recognized members for their performance and accomplishments during the organization’s first virtual professional development conference. The annual celebration awards individuals and teams for performance in the most recent fiscal year. BDP comprises the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC).

Awards and recipients

BDP Innovator recognizes the business development program staff person who developed and delivered the most innovative program.

• Missouri SBDC team at University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) for support, innovation and teamwork with the UMKC Bloch School of Management in the creation of the Managing Forward series.

BDP Recruiter recognizes a business development program staff person who recruited expertise from another staff person in the BDP network, resulting in an outstanding collaborative effort on behalf of the client.

• Kelly Asbury, Missouri SBDC at State Fair Community College, Sedalia
• Jaymie Mitchell, Missouri PTAC

BDP First Responder recognizes a business development program staff person who responded to another BDP staff person’s request for assistance on a client case and then made the greatest impact with a client.

• The BDP recognized all members of the team for their exceptional work and dedication to local businesses and communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC)

• Above & Beyond - Perseverance: Rebecca Nace
• Above & Beyond - Patience: LaNesha Robinson
• Proficiently & Pleasantly Professional: Mark Allen

Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

• Overall Outstanding Performance: Allen Waldo, Missouri PTAC, Springfield
• Rookie of the Year: Kris Bockting, Missouri PTAC, Columbia
• Spirit of PTAC: Donald Robertson, Missouri PTAC, St. Louis
• Pioneer of All Things Technology: Mark Christian, Missouri PTAC/SBDC, Columbia
• Go-To Guru: Jaymie Mitchell, Missouri PTAC, St. Louis

Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Top 5 Greatest Impact Generation: Capital Funding

• Lynette Watson, Missouri SBDC in St. Louis, St. Louis
• Colleen Mulvihill, Missouri SBDC at St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, St. Louis
• Justin Schulz, Missouri SBDC at St. Charles Economic Development Corp., St. Charles
• Jill Hathaway, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
• Mark Christian, Missouri SBDC at Mizzou, Columbia

Top 6 Greatest Impact Generation: Business Starts

• Kelly Asbury, Missouri SBDC at SFCC, Sedalia
• Joel Barrett, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
• Mark Christian, Missouri SBDC at Mizzou, Columbia
• Jakob Pallesen, Missouri SBDC at SEMO, Cape Girardeau
• Ken Surbrugg, Missouri SBDC at MSSU, Joplin
• Anastasia Tiedemann, Missouri SBDC in Northeast Region, Kirksville

Top 5 Highest Number of Counseling Hours

• Jill Hathaway, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
• Delia Marin, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
• Jakob Pallesen, Missouri SBDC at SEMO, Cape Girardeau
• Darrell Hampsten, Missouri SBDC at MSU-West Plains, West Plains
• Rebecca Lobina, Missouri SBDC at NWMSU, St. Joseph

Top 6 Highest Number of Training Sessions Held

• Ken Surbrugg, Missouri SBDC at MSSU, Joplin
• Jakob Pallesen, Missouri SBDC at SEMO, Cape Girardeau
• Kelly Asbury, Missouri SBDC at SFCC, Sedalia
• Chrystal Irons, Missouri SBDC at MSU, Springfield
• Jill Hathaway, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
• Joel Barrett, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City

Top 5 Highest Client Satisfaction

• Amina Abdul-Malik, Missouri SBDC in St. Louis, St. Louis
• Kelly Asbury, Missouri SBDC at SFCC, Sedalia
• Lauren Carter, Missouri SBDC at LU, Jefferson City
• Jill Hathaway, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
• Lisa Robinson, Missouri SBDC at MSSU, Joplin

Rookie of the Year recognizes the achievements and professionalism of a Missouri SBDC team member during his or her first two years.

• Brittany Weldy, Missouri SBDC at Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council, Hannibal

Overall Performance Center Award recognizes a center that meets all SBA-required goals, excels at completing other network goals, uses creative approaches to serve clients, builds relationships with stakeholders and works hard at enhancing the Missouri SBDC presence in its region.

• Missouri SBDC at State Fair Community College, Kelly Asbury, Sedalia

Most Innovative Center Award recognizes and creative approaches to work, including training, counseling, partnership-building and network collaboration.

• Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University, Springfield

Training Champion is someone who contributes to and/or creates amazing training opportunities in terms of quality, quantity or both.

• Jakob Pallesen, Missouri SBDC at SEMO, Cape Girardeau

Wise One: Someone our network turns to regularly for sound advice and thoughtful insights.

• Rebecca Lobina, Missouri SBDC at NWMSU, St. Joseph

Unsung Hero: The person who makes the network go round.

• Yvetta Hamilton, Missouri SBDC Lead Center, Columbia

Spirit of the SBDC: Someone who exemplifies and adheres to our network Mission, Vision and Values.

• Sherry Noller, Missouri SBDC Lead Center, Joplin