SBDC Finds New State Director at Sister Program CED

With Jon Bittner returning to the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation as its president and CEO, his role as State Director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is taken up by Jared Reynolds. Most recently, Reynolds served as Executive Director of the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development (CED).

As State Director, Reynolds oversees SBDC’s program delivery, partnerships, and strategic initiatives that support small business development. Although SBDC and CED are both programs within the UAA Business Enterprise Institute, their missions are slightly different. SBDC offers one-on-one consulting and financing for small business growth, funded in part by the US Small Business Administration. CED focuses on broader economic development, research, and high-level strategy to diversify Alaska’s economy, as a branch of the US Economic Development Administration.

“Small businesses are central to Alaska’s economy and our communities,” says Reynolds. “The SBDC plays a critical role in helping businesses start, grow, and adapt to a changing economy. I’m excited to work with the SBDC team and our partners across Alaska to strengthen that support, expand resources, and create more opportunities for Alaska’s businesses.”