State Selects Entrepreneur to Lead Small Business Center

IEDCLogo.gifThe Indiana Economic Development Corporation announced today that Jacob Schpok will be the state director for the Indiana Small Business Development Center Network (ISBDC).

As state director, Schpok will lead Indiana's efforts to provide management counseling and educational services to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

"Creating a supportive entrepreneurial environment and providing tools that help innovators make their ideas a reality are essential to Indiana's economic success," said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "We look forward to the wealth of knowledge and experience Jacob will bring in spearheading our efforts to help small business owners grow and flourish."

Schpok replaces Jeff Heinzmann who served as the network's director since 2007.

"Sixty-five percent of jobs are created by small businesses," said Schpok. "The ISBDC has a proven track record of helping businesses retain these jobs and create new ones through thought-leadership and consultative services. I look forward to leading this statewide organization and am honored to serve Indiana entrepreneurs."

A native Hoosier, Schpok's experience and education is rooted in entrepreneurship. He has worked for the ISBDC since June 2005 in roles ranging from director of program and business advisor education to business advisor. He has also co-founded two businesses, earned an entrepreneurship and small business management degree from Ball State University's nationally recognized entrepreneurship program and spent his youth working for a family business.

"The ISBDC network is a tremendous asset for Indiana entrepreneurs," said Gail Gesell, Indiana district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). "The SBA is delighted that Jacob, who has been an essential member of the network's management team, is the new state director. Under his leadership, we look forward to new ideas to help Indiana entrepreneurs succeed."

For more information about the ISBDC and the resources it offers small business owners and entrepreneurs, visit www.isbdc.org.