America's SBDC Announces 2025-2026 Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

We are very excited to announce the America's SBDC 2025-2026 Board of Directors:

Byron Hicks
Chair, North Carolina SBTDC Executive State Director/Assistant Vice Chancellor

Danny Fitzgerald
Vice-Chair, San Diego & Imperial Regional Director

Sonya Smith
Treasurer, New York State Director

Elizabeth Gray
Secretary, New Hampshire State Director

Steve Lawrence
Texas Gulf Coast Network SBDC Executive Director/Associate Dean

Michele Hockersmith, PhD
Oklahoma State Director

Marnie Schuschke
North Dakota Associate State Director

Kristin Johnson
Northern California Regional SBDC State Director

Sharon Nichols
Mississippi State Director

J.D. Collins
Michigan State Director

Charles "Tee" Rowe
America's SBDC President/CEO

"These exceptional leaders bring invaluable experience and fresh perspectives that will strengthen our mission of empowering small businesses across America. I'm confident their strategic insights will help expand our impact and strengthen the vital role SBDCs play in America's economy."
- Charles "Tee" Rowe, America's SBDC President/CEO

"I am humbled and excited to be elected Chair of the Board of Directors of America's SBDC and I look forward to working with the new board to move the association forward. America's SBDC and its 63 networks is the largest provider of no-cost business advisory services for small businesses across our country, serving almost 300,000 small businesses last year. As small businesses grow our economy thrives. My goal is for America's SBDC to support all 63 networks, as we focus on continuous improvement, to deliver the highest quality of service to our small business clients."
-  Byron Hicks, Chair, North Carolina SBTDC Executive State Director/Assistant Vice Chancellor

Learn more about our officers and board on our website.

Media Contact: Gretchen Kuhsel Communications Coordinator America's SBDC (203) 220-1664

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 http://www.americassbdc.org www.americassbdc.org

SOURCE America's SBDC