WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The America’s SBDC State Star award winners will be honored at a private reception at the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve on Tuesday, September 2nd, during the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Annual Training event.
The SBDC State Star Award recognizes outstanding individual achievement within America’s SBDC Network. State Stars are nominated by their peers, and winners are selected by their State Directors. The State Stars demonstrate exemplary performance, make significant contributions to their Networks, and are committed to the success of America’s small businesses.
Charles “Tee” Rowe, America’s SBDC President and CEO, says, “Our State Stars represent the best of America’s SBDC Network. They are dedicated professionals who go above and beyond to help small businesses succeed. Their exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to entrepreneurial growth make them true champions of economic development in their communities.”
The 2025 America’s SBDC State Star Awards go to:
Mel Washington , Alabama
Misty O’Connor , Alaska
Catherine Torres-Balauro , American Samoa
Lou Farina , Arizona
Karissa Graham , Arkansas
Dennis Murphy , Central California
Gonzalo Fernandez , Los Angeles CA
Dr. Nancy Mangold , Northern California
Jay Allis , Orange County / Inland Empire
Viridiana Rosales-Trujillo , San Diego & Imperial
Hope Hartman , Colorado
Laura Feliciano , Connecticut
Jill McAndrew , Delaware
Yahaira Hurtado , District of Columbia
Marge Cirillo , Florida
Todd Anduze , Georgia
Cynthia Yamasaki , Hawai’i
Kyle R. Guelcher , Idaho
Ian King , Illinois
Huss Sadri , Indiana
Larry Wajda , Iowa
Michelle Spriggs , Kentucky
Ada Womack-Bell , Louisiana
Christine Cole , Maine
Luis Diaz-Colorado , Maryland
Sandra Ledbetter , Massachusetts
Shannon Schwabe , Michigan
Mike Paulus , Minnesota
Anthony Cambas , Mississippi
Dr. Lance Coffman , Missouri
Rich Gannon , Montana
Kiley Phelps , Nebraska
Kelli Kelly , Nevada
Ed Miles , New Hampshire
Mark Rizzo , New Jersey
Della Bedingfield , New Mexico
Michelle Catan , New York
Lisa Ruckdeschel , North Carolina
Ashley Louw , North Dakota
Adelpha Lynn Kapileo Magofna , CNMI
Mousa Kassis , Ohio
Greg Jones , Oklahoma
Kevin Leahy , Oregon
Michael Taijeron, Jr. , Pacific Islands
Aleshia Marshall , Pennsylvania
Armando Zayas , Puerto Rico
Sandra McNamara , Rhode Island
Scott Mace , South Carolina
Melissa Meidinger , South Dakota
Josh Brown , Tennessee
Amy Reid , Texas Gulf Coast
Virgel Conner , North Texas
Manzel McGhee Jr. , Northwest Texas
Maricela Brown , South-West Texas
Roger Koyle , Utah
Nancy Shuttleworth , Vermont
Karen Jones , Virgin Island
Heather Fay , Virginia
Ursula Sanson , Washington
Marsa Myers , West Virginia
Stephanie Robey , Wisconsin
Devan Costa-Cargill , Wyoming
For more information about America’s SBDC State Star Awards and the conference, please visit https://americassbdc.org/state-stars-2025 .
Media Contact: April Youngblut, America’s SBDC, (703) 408-5403
America’s SBDC (Small Business Development Center) Network is a partnership uniting private enterprises, government, higher education, and local nonprofit economic development organizations. It is the Small Business Administration’s most extensive partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. Learn more at www.americassbdc.org
SOURCE America’s SBDC
