Campus News

KSBDC Announces John Preston as State Star

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 27, 2011) — Becky Naugle, director of the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (KSBDC), based at the University of Kentucky, announced that John Preston has been selected as the 2011 Sutton Landry State Star of the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (KSBDC).

“I am delighted to make this announcement, and to recognize John Preston for his extraordinary contributions to the work of the KSBDC and small business in Kentucky,” said Naugle.

Preston is a management consultant in the Somerset office of Eastern Kentucky University Small Business Development Center (EKU SBDC). The KSBDC selected Preston based on his outstanding performance, major contribution to the KSBDC program and his strong commitment to small business in the Commonwealth.

In 1999 Preston joined the EKU SBDC after logging nearly three decades of experience in business, mostly in the banking, mortgage, consumer lending and personnel management sectors. In addition, he has owned and operated his own insurance firm.

During FY 2009-2010, Preston increased his client hours by nearly 36 percent and is on course to maintain the volume for the current year. His client investments increased 633 percent, which has qualified him as a member of the Million Dollar Loan Club.

Preston received his award recently in San Diego, Calif., in conjunction with the Association of Small Business Development Center’s (ASBDC) 31st Annual Conference. The ASBDC is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations in support of small businesses.

The KSBDC  is a network of 15 offices located throughout the state that help existing and start-up businesses succeed by offering high quality, in-depth and hands-on services. The KSBDC is a partner program with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). For more information on the KSBDC visit www.ksbdc.org.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Sarah Magargee, (859) 257-7661; Carl Nathe, (859) 257-3200.