A message from Associate State Director Will Fowler
In 2020 we came together as a network to respond to the economic crisis and help Idaho companies survive the pandemic. The State Star nominations were a reflection of the incredible talent and dedication to service that embody our core values.
We had 18 State Star nominations from all over the state, and we are pleased to announce Ruth Schwartz has been awarded the honor for 2020. Ruth is very deserving of the award as she has truly reached across our state network to both clients and consultants to be a leading expert and resource in all things COVID-19 related (to business).
Additionally, we want to recognize all of the nominees this year. The nominees are exceptional, as are the nominations themselves. We’re grateful for the tremendous difference they’ve made both to Idaho businesses and to our network of professionals.
Ruth Schwartz | Southwest Idaho Business Consultant
“Ruth’s dedication to serving others and the incredible value she’s brought to the team in a short amount of time is well-deserving of the Idaho SBDC’s 2020 State Star award.”
Ruth Schwartz took it upon herself to become the COVID-19 program-related subject matter expert in a short amount of time and as a new employee. She has learned so much in the last six weeks about at least nine new programs, and she shares her expertise with clients and colleagues across the state. Ruth has been willing to be in the “hot seat” throughout the pandemic. Presenting and answering questions about programs is a hard job, especially when information is new and changing. She is a poised speaker and put a face on the Idaho SBDC state-wide response to COVID-19. Ruth’s dedication to understanding COVID-19 related programs takes a huge burden off fellow consultants, as they’re able to garner timely information from her summary instead of having to invest hours researching themselves – allowing them more time to work directly with clients.
Ruth also serves on the Idaho SBDC Client Education Committee where her input and perspective has contributed to many positive outcomes and resources for clients. Ruth is respectful of other team members’ input and perspectives, and she makes herself an available resource to colleagues across the state, being quick to return emails and answer questions. Ruth’s dedication to serving others and the incredible value she’s brought to the team in a short amount of time is well-deserving of the Idaho SBDC’s 2020 State Star award.
Congratulations to our 2020 State Star recipient and all of our fantastic nominees across the state.
Dennis Burgett | South Central Idaho Business Consultant
“Dennis is a life-long learner and approaches clients with a direction that allows them to feel confident in their abilities and newly acquired skills to work on their business.”
Dennis Burgett diligently works to meet his clients’ needs, even when that means being flexible and working outside of regular business hours. His warm and welcoming attitude helps clients feel at ease, and he is able to build long-lasting relationships through timely delivery of actions and recommendations. Dennis has proven the effectiveness of his methods time after time, and he consistently earns the trust of clients as they work together to plan for future businesses success. He is a life-long learner and approaches clients with a direction that allows them to feel confident in their abilities and newly acquired skills to work on their business.
Claudia Allen | Southeast Idaho Business Consultant
“Regardless of the situation, Claudia is relentless in helping businesses overcome various obstacles – even if it means trying again with a different approach.”
Claudia Allen is a true team player and does not let regional boundaries interfere with her willingness to help a client or a teammate. She respects the mission of the SBDC and enthusiastically reaches out to help others even when it isn’t her responsibility. She continues to push herself to learn different programs and requirements to best serve Idaho SBDC clients and support her team. Regardless of the situation, she is relentless in helping businesses overcome various obstacles – even if it means trying again with a different approach. She participates in weekly state-wide meetings, raises thoughtful questions, provides valuable insight and is a pleasure to work with.
Judy Schumacher | North Central Idaho Business Consultant
“Judy’s impeccable work ethic and integrity coupled with her wisdom and kindness make her a beacon of light for those seeking guidance through darker times.”
Judy Schumacher embodies what it means to put service above self, consistently setting aside her tasks or breaks to help clients in need. This commitment to others has helped numerous struggling clients turn the corner to success stories. Being with the Idaho SBDC for many years, Judy is a true role model for both newer consultants and clients. Judy’s impeccable work ethic and integrity coupled with her wisdom and kindness make her a beacon of light for those seeking guidance through darker times. Judy takes initiative and embraces learning new processes and technologies, especially when it will benefit others. She then works diligently to share her knowledge with others, going as far as creating guidelines and outlining instructions to help her team easily adapt and grow.
Marie Baker | Southwest Idaho Business Consultant
“Marie is a bright light who always has words of encouragements and diligently works to help clients and colleagues.”
Marie Baker has managed the Nampa Accelerator and kept it sanitized and accessible during COVID. She has been relentless in her commitment to serving clients, ensuring she’s available to an expanding client base, delivering the business boot camp without a hitch, and supporting and being sensitive to the needs of fellow consultants. Marie is a bright light who always has words of encouragements and diligently works to help clients and colleagues.
Jamie Morgan | North Idaho Marketing Coach
“She is always available to help colleagues and clients find an answer or troubleshoot a problem, and she does so with grace, patience and understanding.”
Jamie Morgan is a selfless and thoughtful teammate and consultant. She is always available to help colleagues and clients find an answer or troubleshoot a problem, and she does so with grace, patience and understanding. Jamie takes initiative to learn new programs and find online services that save time and help improve efficiencies so that her team can focus on serving clients. The process of transitioning to online trainings during COVID was simplified by Jamie’s work ethic and proactive nature. She continually seeks to improve her region’s virtual trainings by researching, following up, garnering feedback and educating her team on her findings to best support small business owners.
Frosty Wilson | Eastern Idaho Program Coordinator
“Frosty is sensitive to the needs of everyone around her, and she proactively works to ensure those needs are met as she selflessly serves others.”
Frosty Wilson is a highly-dedicated employee who consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of her position. Frosty is sensitive to the needs of everyone around her, and she proactively works to ensure those needs are met as she selflessly serves others. Colleagues and clients often praise Frosty for her kind and respectful nature even when going the extra mile. Time and time again, she has proven to be an invaluable team player who enthusiastically participates in regional events and works to enhance them without being asked. She maintains professionalism at all times can always be relied on for a job well-done.
Shaunda Gates | Southwest Idaho Business Operations Manager
“Always resourceful and willing to adapt, Shaunda is able to assess a situation and find a way to accomplish her task at hand, making her a resilient and invaluable asset to the SBDC.”
Shaunda Gates is always available and eager to serve both her internal and external customers. She will drop everything to prioritize the needs of others at a moment’s notice. As the front line for clients, Shaunda maintains a professional, helpful attitude, regardless of who she’s assisting. Shaunda takes initiative and works to improve processes in her office and the Boise Business Accelerator. She has demonstrated repeatedly that if she has a goal, she will not be deterred by challenges or setbacks. Always resourceful and willing to adapt, Shaunda is able to assess a situation and find a way to accomplish her task at hand, making her a resilient and invaluable asset to the SBDC.
Jesse Stroup | South Central Idaho Administrative Assistant
“Jesse enjoys taking on new tasks and working both independently and as part of a team, and she’s always happy to share her knowledge with others.”
Jesse Stroup is completely committed to the organization and what it stands for. She is respectful toward teammates and clients and ensures all clients feel valued. Her passion for higher education and expanding her knowledge of other cultures is inspiring to those around her. Jesse enjoys taking on new tasks and working both independently and as part of a team, and she’s always happy to share her knowledge with others. With her warm smile and positive attitude, Jesse is a true asset to the Idaho SBDC.
David Noack | Eastern Idaho Regional Director
“Creating an environment where both clients and team members can be successful, it’s evident that Dave’s fulfillment in his role is measured by the success of others.”
David Noack goes over and above to serve his clients and lead his team. His leadership style is hands-on in regards to working with clients, and he personally sets an example of integrity and professionalism for his staff and the rest of the Idaho SBDC network. Dave pushes his team toward achieving regional goals while providing them with the resources, training and encouragement to do so. Creating an environment where both clients and team members can be successful, it’s evident that Dave’s fulfillment in his role is measured by the success of others. His dedication is more than just a professional commitment – Dave truly cares about the clients and staff he serves.
Barbara Leachman | North Central Idaho Regional Director
“In addition to her intellect and work ethic, Barbara is humble and kind-hearted. Her career has been dedicated to helping others, even in the face of adversity.”
Barbara Leachman is a highly organized, accessible and dedicated leader. She calmly and diligently works through issues while managing a large staff and maintaining a high impact in her region. She embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, being the only Idaho SBDC director to secure additional grant funding to expand services. In addition to her intellect and work ethic, Barbara is humble and kind-hearted. Her career has been dedicated to helping others, even in the face of adversity.
Ann Swanson | Southeast Idaho Regional Director
“Ann embraces the entrepreneurial spirit, being open-minded to creative solutions and constantly looking for ways to improve processes and market organizational services.”
Ann Swanson sets a solid example treating every client with respect, regardless of their business idea or how they treat her in return. Ann also demonstrates immense respect and appreciation toward her staff and teammates and doesn’t let her workload interfere with being a resource to them. Ann embraces the entrepreneurial spirit, being open-minded to creative solutions and constantly looking for ways to improve processes and market organizational services. A knowledgeable mentor and selfless teammate, Ann is an invaluable asset to the Idaho SBDC.
Lori Manning | PTAC Program Director
“In the short time Lori has held the director position, she has turned the PTAC program around, bringing the Idaho PTAC rank from last to seventh in the country.”
Lori Manning took on PTAC and has not only expanded the program across the state, but also created a smooth transition for the team. A dedicated people-person, Lori consistently shows respect to staff and clients with an approachable demeanor and willingness to talk. In the short time Lori has held the director position, she has turned the PTAC program around, bringing the Idaho PTAC rank from last to seventh in the country. Many have persevered through COVID, but the PTAC program has flourished under Lori’s direction.
Will Fowler | Associate State Director of Operations
“Under tremendous challenges, Will has demonstrated incredible leadership to the state-wide team, providing training opportunities and education in critical times.”
Under tremendous challenges, Will Fowler has demonstrated incredible leadership to the state-wide team, providing training opportunities and education in critical times. Although directives constantly change resulting in questions and concerns from Idaho SBDC consultants and their clients, Will remains patient, courteous and dedicated to serving the needs of his team. Always with an open mind, Will’s limitless thinking enables teammates to move forward in their roles and perform their best. Will’s effective leadership at the state level has allowed for regions to stay organized and informed even through unprecedented times.
Doug Covey | State Director
“Doug is a selfless leader with a passion for helping others – he celebrates the success of his team at the State office as well as the people within the regional networks.”
Doug Covey is a selfless leader with a passion for helping others – he celebrates the success of his team at the State office as well as the people within the regional networks. Transition of staff and teammates have been orchestrated in a positive manner under Doug’s leadership, as he is sensitive to nuanced situations. He both supports and challenges his staff and teammates while ensuring their value in the organization is recognized and perpetuated. He welcomes new ideas, embraces successes and shares learning opportunities. He embodies integrity and cultivates trust by doing what he says he will do by the time that he says he will do it.
