America's SBDC Announces the 2025 State Star Award Winners

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