Top: Marc Anton, Susan Desgrosseilliers Bottom: Raynor Large, Allison Watson
The Maine Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, recognized Marc Anton, Susan Desgrosseilliers, Raynor Large and Allison Watson who received their Core Competencies Professional Certification from the New England Professional Development (NEPD) group on Wednesday, May 15, 2019.
Anton is a certified business advisor in Wiscasset and has been with the Maine SBDC at Coastal Enterprises since 2018. He provides business advising to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Knox and Waldo Counties.
Desgrosseilliers is a certified business advisor in Portland and has been with the Maine SBDC at the University of Southern Maine for five months. She provides business advising to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Cumberland County.
Large is a certified business advisor in Auburn and has been with the Maine SBDC at the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments for two months. He provides business advising to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin Counties.
Watson is a certified business advisor in Waterville and has been with the Maine SBDC at Coastal Enterprises since 2018. She provides business advising to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Somerset and Kennebec Counties.
NEPD is a professional development collaboration of the Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (SBDC) programs. NEPD provides a comprehensive, core knowledge training program that business advisors must complete in order to receive certification.
Although most advisors come to the SBDC with solid business experience and advanced degrees, this professional development is the key to enhancing the value and quality of the services delivered to clients and stakeholders. The training required for this certification is comprised of three elements – participation in specified online technical content, a facilitated online discussion, and, finally, an in-person intensive group session. To maintain certification, the advisor must complete a minimum number of hours of professional development each year.