Small Business Technology and Development revamps consulting staff

Dec. 4, 2009 -- Arkansas State University’s Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) has announced a couple of changes to the center’s consulting staff.  Herb Lawrence, SBTDC director, said Laura Miller, who has been a consultant with the center since 2002, has been promoted to a newly-created position of lead consultant, while Robert Bahn, who has over 30 years of experience in the banking business, replaces Miller as a business consultant. 

“With the growth in demand for consulting assistance from the small business community, the SBTDC has reorganized the center to improve our ability to serve our clients.” said Lawrence.  “As lead consultant, Laura Miller will take over management responsibilities for all aspects of consulting to include supervision of all SBTDC consulting staff.

“Robert Bahn brings an entirely new perspective to share with our clients. His small business lending background provides our clients with a leg up when it comes to meeting with lenders to discuss their financing needs. This expertise will be invaluable to our clients as they search for funding for their enterprises.”

Miller has worked for the ASU SBTDC since 2000 holding positions of training coordinator and business consultant.  While serving as the business consultant, she worked with 403 small business owners and entrepreneurs providing assistance on issues ranging from business plans, feasibility studies, market research, and web optimization to loan packaging.  During this time, Miller assisted 119 clients with capital acquisition projects totaling over $19.3 million dollars. 

These client relationships resulted in over 210 new jobs created and 262 jobs retained, with 51 of the clients beginning start-up businesses.  Miller’s clients have reported a total of over $174 million in annual revenues since working with the SBTDC.  She is a graduate of the University of Missouri, has a master’s of business administration degree from Pittsburg State University in Kansas, and is a certified business analyst.  Miller is married to David Miller and has two sons, Justin and Jordan.

Bahn joins the SBTDC from Community First National Bank in Mountain Home where he served as bank president.  A Navy veteran, he obtained a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University in 1973.  Bahn and his wife Cynthia have two children, Christopher and Catherine.

In addition to small business consulting, the ASU SBTDC also provides training workshops and seminars on a variety of small business issues throughout a 15-county area as well as state-of-the art market research assistance to help small businesses obtain critical information for decision-making that is often unavailable through normal sources. 

For more information about the services provided to small businesses and entrepreneurs by the ASU SBTDC or to speak with a business consultant, call (870) 972-3517, or visit the SBTDC website at http://asu.sbtdc.org.  Facebook members may join the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center page and stay in touch with information critical to business success.  Also, contact Lawrence through e-mail at hlawrenc@astate.edu.

The SBTDC is part of the ASU College of Business and operates through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration with matching funds from the university.

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