FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 5, 2024
Nancy Kooienga
Director, Marketing & Communications
Phone: 616.210.9596
Email: kooiengn@gvsu.edu
Michigan Small Business Development Center Promotes Daniel Yoder to Upper Peninsula Associate Regional Director
The Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC) recently promoted Daniel Yoder to the position of Upper Peninsula Associate Regional Director. Yoder joined the Michigan SBDC in 2019 as a Senior Business Consultant.
In his new role, Yoder will continue to serve small and medium-size businesses, and will assist in the leadership, planning and administration of the Upper Peninsula Region. The Region includes Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counties. Michigan Technological University is the Region’s host institution.
“I can’t say enough good things about Daniel and his commitment to our clients and our communities,” said Regional Director Laura Marohnic. “His extensive financial background is especially helpful to clients who are developing their business plans and preparing to approach lenders for capital.”
“We are thrilled to recognize Daniel’s contributions to the leadership of the Upper Peninsula Regional Office and his support of the valuable impact that the whole team has on small businesses across the U.P. with this promotion”, said Associate Vice President for Research at Michigan Technological University Jim Baker. “ In addition to Daniel’s day-to-day support of the regional team and client companies, his leadership in creation and development of the student intern program has contributed to scaling the impact of the Michigan SBDC, both to the business community and to the lives and careers of our students.”
“I’m grateful to have a role that allows me to continue to help small businesses succeed while allowing me the opportunity to deepen the Michigan SBDC’s relationships with our U.P. economic development partners,” responded Yoder.
While with the Michigan SBDC, Yoder has helped coach and guide hundreds of business owners and entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. Prior to the Michigan SBDC, he spent nearly 20 years in the banking and finance industry, working as a personal banker, in branch management and as a vice president and commercial lender. Yoder has received his professional certification as a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional and is part of the Michigan SBDC’s State Export Assistance Team.
He graduated from Michigan Technological University with an MBA, and from Wright State University with a bachelor’s degree.
The Michigan SBDC provides no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michiganders looking to start or grow a business can connect to free export services, market research, cybersecurity resources and business education through the Michigan SBDC.
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About the Michigan Small Business Development Center
The Michigan Small Business Development Center’s mission is to provide no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michigan SBDC services are available through the support of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
The Michigan SBDC is committed to fostering and sustaining a culture of inclusion through equitable outreach and service to Michigan’s diverse business community. Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest Michigan SBDC office by visiting michigansbdc.org.
The Michigan SBDC is hosted on a state level by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. Regional hosts include Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, Mid Michigan College, Michigan Technological University, Kettering University, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College and Lansing Community College.