Each year America’s SBDC asks that each network select a State Star from their program. The State Star is an exemplary performer, makes a significant contribution to their SBDC/SBTDC program, and shows a strong commitment to small business.
This year we are excited to announce that Alex Viva is the North Carolina SBTDC’s State Star. Alex has a diverse background in international business, sales and marketing, and business coaching. He started with the SBTDC in 2011 as an International Business Development (IBD) counselor. He was then asked to lead the new BizEdge Program in partnership with the Department of Commerce NCWorks Division. As BizEdge wound down, Alex took on the leadership of the Capital Regional Center at NC State University as Director. He built his own team and now manages one of the top performing centers in our program. Most recently, Alex and his team have established The Digital ShopTM, leveraging NC State students to help businesses across the state improve their digital marketing and sales efforts.
This year for the first time America’s SBDC is recognizing 40 individuals under age forty to celebrate innovative and talented young SBDC/SBTDC professionals nationwide. We are pleased to announce that Mike Barugel, General Business Counselor in the Charlotte Region, was selected as one of these inaugural “40 Under 40”!
In Mike’s nomination, Charlotte Center Director Michael Moore shared the following highlights. “Mike is a catalyst for enhancing the SBTDC through a unique commitment to excellence by his empathetic approach to counseling, masterful facilitation skills, and determination to be a champion for diversity and inclusion. He has been instrumental in spearheading innovation through several initiatives including the Global Attribution Process, Advisor’s Mastermind (a weekly meeting with center counselors to help maximize client results), and the Business Model Accelerator. Mike has created systems and processes that make these initiatives “plug and play” ready for other centers and SBDCs across the nation.
Kudos to Alex and Mike on these national recognitions!