Salgado elected board chair of national small business development center network
salgadoWebAl Salgado, director of the South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center Network, has been elected the 2011 board chair of the Association of Small Business Development Center Network. The election took place during the organization’s annual conference, held in San Antonio Sept. 21 – 24, 2010. Salgado will serve as chair for one year.The ASBDC Network consists of approximately 1,000 service centers that provide free or low-cost assistance to experienced and aspiring entrepreneurs. The centers are funded and supported by government, private and higher education partners. The South-West Texas Border SBDC Network is one of four regional SBDC networks in Texas, covering a 79-county service area that spans most of the southern half of the state.
In 2009, SBDC staff in this area assisted more than 26,000 entrepreneurs, helping to start 420 businesses and create 2,800 jobs. The Network is hosted by UTSA’s Institute for Economic Development. “Over the past 30 years the ASBDC has served 12 million entrepreneurs and small business owners, contributing to America’s economy by creating jobs, accessing capital, reaching new markets, generating state and federal taxes, and helping to sustain business operations,” Salgado said. “I am proud to serve this group at the national level, as I’m proud of our own South-West Texas Border SBDC for the 25 years of assisting small business grow the Texas economy.”
Salgado’s professional experience includes small business management and ownership, strategic planning, organizational leadership, and entrepreneurial management. He holds an M.B.A. from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio and a B.B.A. from Eastern New Mexico University. “UTSA is moving rapidly toward Tier I, and our small business development programs are a key component of our growing reputation and engagement in the community,” said Robert McKinley, associate director of economic development at UTSA.
To learn more about the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network, which consists of 10 service centers and two specialty centers and programs focused on the needs of rural and veteran-owned businesses, click here <http://txsbdc.org/>
