2/28/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Jamie Gaucher of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) is one of only 16 business coaches in the U.S. to pass the exam for Technology Counselor Certification at the recent Association of Small Business Development Center (ASBDC) conference. He is now one of only 39 certified technology business coaches nationally.
Gaucher is a business coach with the WVSBDC, part of the West Virginia Development Office (WVDO).
The ASBDC technology certification is for coaches who assist high technology businesses with commercialization and growth. Earning the certified technology designation requires expertise in five core competencies: technology transfer and commercialization, research and development funding, intellectual property issues, technology networking/resource identification and alternative financing (equity).
“As the WVSBDC continues to strive to address the needs of West Virginia’s entrepreneurs and technology-based businesses we are committed to improving our own core competencies in an effort to bring value to the state” said Kristina Oliver, director of the WVSBDC. “Jamie’s achievement reinforces our focus on quality and furthers our goal to be recognized as the state’s primary source of expert business coaching and technical assistance within West Virginia’s innovation community.”
Gaucher has been with WVDO since 2000 and was manager of technology-based development. He joined WVSBDC in 2007. Currently he manages the West Virginia Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs. The federal SBIR/STTR programs provide a billion dollars each year in early-stage research and development awards and contracts to small technology companies.
“In West Virginia, 90 percent of our businesses are small,” said Keith Burdette, WVDO executive director and Commerce secretary. “Running a small business is challenging. We are committed to assisting our small business community to succeed and grow.”
The SBDC is part of the West Virginia Development Office and creates economic impact through offering entrepreneurs and small businesses cost-effective business coaching and technical assistance. With locations throughout the state, WVSBDC provides small businesses and entrepreneurs with expert business coaching and needed services to help them start, grow and maintain businesses. WVSBDC coaches help with one-on-one coaching sessions, resource network connections and training opportunities. The West Virginia SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SBA. For more information, visit
www.wvsbdc.org.
Contact Information
Kristina Oliver
888-982-7232