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NEWS RELEASE

09-12-03

Contacts:
Jon Ryan, Iowa Small Business Development Center, (515) 292-6351
Lars Peterson, Iowa Small Business Development Center, (515) 440-1626
Kevin Brown, News Service, (515) 294-8986

SBDC AREA DIRECTOR EARNS "STAR AWARD"

AMES, Iowa -- Rich Petersen, director of the North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Mason City, was named a "2003 Iowa State Star" by the national Association of Small Business Development Centers. The Iowa Small Business Development Center is an outreach unit of Iowa State University's College of Business.

The association annually recognizes SBDC employees from each state at its conference. "State Stars" are chosen based upon work performance, contribution to the SBDC's economic development efforts and commitment to their state's small businesses.

Petersen will be recognized at an Oct. 4 banquet in San Diego, Calif. He also will be featured in a publication honoring "State Stars" from all 50 states. The award was created in 2000.

Petersen, who has been with the SBDC for 18 years, is the first director for his regional center. He has earned a statewide reputation as a small business advocate and counselor known for his patient, listening-centered philosophy.

Jon Ryan, Iowa SBDC state director, said he is proud of Petersen's contributions.

"Rich is a dedicated and intelligent man with a tremendous passion for his clients," Ryan said. "He gets results by, as he puts it, 'listening first for as long as it takes.'"

Past recipients in Iowa of the award include Ryan; Lars Peterson, associate state director; and Sherry Shafer, director of the Drake University SBDC program.

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