The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, recognized four business advisors – Larry Giroux, Peter Harriman, Roy Hebert and Josh Nadeau – who received their Core Competencies Professional Certification from the New England Professional Development (NEPD) group on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.
Giroux is a certified business advisor in Auburn and has been with the Maine SBDC at the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments for three years. He provides business advising to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin Counties.
Harriman is a certified business advisor in Portland and has been with the Maine SBDC at the University of Southern Maine for six months. He provides business advising to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Cumberland County.
Hebert is a certified business advisor in Saco and has been with the Maine SBDC at the University of Southern Maine for six months. He provides business advising to small businesses and entrepreneurs in York County.
Nadeau is a center director and certified business advisor in Caribou and has been with the Maine SBDC at the Northern Maine Development Commission for nearly a year. He provides business advising to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Aroostook County.
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 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 four elements – participation in specified online technical content, a facilitated online discussion, a webinar, and, finally, an in-person intensive group session. To maintain certification, the advisor must complete a minimum of 24 hours of professional development each year.