Michael Rodriguez began his role as new director of the Small Business Development Center at Eastern Kentucky University on Oct. 19 after serving as a consultant for the SBDC at Morehead State University and spending several years as a restaurant franchise owner and operator.

Rodriguez also brings more than 10 years experience in healthcare management to his new position, including tenure with long-term care, hospitals, wound care clinics and community mental health agencies. He also has previous experience working in public accounting firms and school districts and has consulted with numerous businesses in eastern Kentucky including businesses in the agriculture, metal fabrication, printing and education industries.

Rodriguez, who earned his MBA from Morehead State University, said that his prior experience is a good fit for the SBDC, noting he served MSU as a consultant for nearly two years.

“I also have experience as a small business owner, having been a Subway restaurant franchisee for three-and-a-half years,” he said. “My priorities in this position will include budgetary management of the program, as well as management consulting services and educational offerings for both business start-ups and existing businesses.”

The Center serves 15 counties in eastern and south central Kentucky: Adair, Casey, Clinton, Estill, Garrard, Jackson, Laurel, Lincoln, Madison, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne and Whitley. SBDC offices are located in Somerset and on the EKU campus in Richmond.

Offering services at no charge or minimal cost, the SBDC can help business owners and entrepreneurs in numerous ways: business start-up procedures, business and strategic plan development, financial resource development, management support, record management, accounting systems, governmental relations and marketing. This is accomplished through one-on-one consultations as well as training sessions throughout the service area on a variety of topics.

The SBDC at EKU is part of the Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Technology, an outreach service of the University’s College of Business & Technology, and is operated in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more information, call (toll-free) 1-877-EKU-SBDC (358-7232) or visit www.sbdc.eku.edu.