Dr. Laurie Pieper, America’s SBDC Iowa Tech Director

Dr. Laurie Pieper is the new Tech Director for America’s SBDC Iowa

AMES, Iowa – America’s SBDC Iowa (SBDC) is pleased to announce Dr. Laurie Pieper in the new position of Tech Director. She started her position on February 3, 2020.

In the new position of Tech Director, Dr. Pieper will lead the SBDC’s Rural Development Initiative and work with clients and resource partners around the state to develop opportunities for the successful commercialization of Iowan businesses’ technologies, products and services.

Prior to joining America’s SBDC Iowa, Dr. Pieper developed the Rural and Independent Innovators Conference model for America’s SBDC Kansas and worked to assist Kansas clients with pathways to commercialization. She is a Certified Global Business Professional through North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE). Originally trained as an analytical philosopher, she has a Ph.D. from UCLA and has held faculty appointments at University of Oregon and Kansas State University.  Dr. Pieper was a business owner for many years and enjoys using her background in education and in entrepreneurship to help small businesses set and reach their goals.

“America’s SBDC Iowa is pleased to add Dr. Pieper to our team,” says State Director Lisa Shimkat. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our network, which will benefit our clients. We look forward to the creation of the Rural Development Initiative and increased commercialization assistance to the entire state.”

America’s SBDC Iowa is an outreach program of Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, Hotline 515-294-1222, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, America’s SBDC Iowa has 15 regional assistance centers located strategically across the state. Since program inception in 1981, the SBDC has helped Iowa businesses and entrepreneurs through no fee, confidential, customized, professional business counseling and practical, affordable training workshops.

For more information on America’s SBDC Iowa programs or services, call (515) 294-2030 or visit www.iowasbdc.org, https://www.facebook.com/AmericasSBDCIowa, or https://twitter.com/IowaSBDC.

Contact:
Stacy Dreyer, America’s SBDC Iowa, 515-294-5595, sdreyer@iastate.edu
Lisa Shimkat, America’s SBDC Iowa, 515-294-2030, lshimkat@iastate.edu