Leonor D. Dottin has been appointed State Director for the Small Business Development Center at the University of the Virgin Islands. She has served as Associate State Director of the SBDC since 2006. As the new State Director, Ms. Dottin will manage the federally subsidized University of the Virgin Islands program, promoting the development of small business in the Virgin Islands.

"As a former small business owner I know what it means to open a business, and have it be successful in countless ways," she said. "So many details are involved, from outstanding customer service to juggling many hats at the same time."

Ms. Dottin will meet regularly with economic development organizations and small business groups to promote the SBDC, to support the business environment, and to serve as an advocate for the small business sector. She will actively participate in area economic development collaborations and partnerships and will develop and maintain working relationships with city, regional, state and federal personnel and agencies, including Chambers of Commerce, business organizations, economic development agencies, lending institutions and program funding agencies.

Ms. Dottin holds a master's degree in Hospitality Management and Operations from Florida International University, an undergraduate degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre and Maestra in the Dominican Republic, and has more than 19 years of management experience working in the private sector in the Dominican Republic, Florida and St. Thomas.

In her new role as State Director, her goal is to make the SBDC network more accessible to businesses in the community by providing additional SBDC counselors and increasing fundraising efforts to allow for the opening of additional satellite service centers throughout the Territory.

The Small Business Development Center is a non-profit organization funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration, the University of the Virgin Islands and other local private and public entities. It provides management, technical and training assistance to small businesses in the United States Virgin Islands. The SBDC serves as a community outreach program for the University's Research and Public Service Component designed to foster the development of small businesses.