Kettering’s Marsha Lyttle, Region 6 director for the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC), received the MI-SBTDC 2009 Director of the Year Award during ceremonies earlier this summer.

MI-SBTDC State Director Carol Lopucki called the award significant.  “It is with a great deal of pride that the MI-SBTDC awarded Marsha with the SBTDC Region 6 Regional Director the 2009 Director of the Year Award,” Lopucki said.  “The most successful public institutions and private corporations in America place their employees in high esteem and recognize that the success of the institution depends on how well people work together as teams for the betterment of the organization and the people it serves.”

“This isn’t my award,” Lyttle explained.  “It belongs first to Kettering for the university-wide enthusiastic support and collaboration with MI-SBTDC.  We couldn’t ask for a better partner/host organization than Kettering.  This statewide award also belongs to the regional community of entrepreneurial services providers that embraced working together rather than competing; and finally it belongs to the people in our service area who are re-inventing this region with pride and determination, one small business at a time.  I am honored to serve this dynamic regional community.”

Kettering’s MI-SBTDC office opened in July 2007 and offers an array of intellectual and technical resources to seed entrepreneurship in Genesee and Lapeer counties.  Its mission is to enhance Michigan's economic well being by providing counseling, training, research and advocacy for new and existing small businesses and innovative technology companies.  Offices are located on the fifth floor of Kettering's Campus Center.  Lyttle is assisted by Intake Coordinator Julie Filary.

Success statistics July 2007 through July 2010 for Kettering’s MI-SBTDC Office:

• Businesses started:  91
• Jobs created:  639
• Capital investment:  $25,244,731
• Distinct Clients served:  1,233 with 4,702 contact and prep hours
• 135 training events delivered to 2,205 training attendees

Tony Hain, Kettering’s Interim Associate Provost of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, said Lyttle’s leadership in the region’s economic redevelopment is a point of pride for Kettering.  “In just a few years, Marsha has become a focal point of our successful contributions in rebuilding this region.  We congratulate her on her many accomplishments and are grateful for her many efforts.”
 
Added Lopucki, “Marsha has been a patient, supportive mentor to clients and challenges the Regional office and the MI-SBTDC network to step out of its comfort zone to become familiar with changes in technology and then share the knowledge gained with others who are new in the network.  She exhibits commendable dedication, a positive ‘can do’ attitude and strong commitment to the network.  She is well deserving of this award,” Lopucki added.

Written by Patricia Mroczek and MI-SBTDC sources
810.762.9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu