Release Date: September 17, 2008
Contact: Kelly McLeod at kmcleod@uwf.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Julio Estremera Recognized as
National Association of SBDC’s Florida Star






L-R: Peter Justen, President/CEO, MyBizHomepage
and sponsor of ASBDC State Star Reception; Jody Keenan, Chair, ASBDC 2008 Board of Directors and
State Director, Virginia SBDC; Jerry Cartwright, State
Director, Florida SBDC Network; Julio Estremera, Florida SBDC Network 2008 State Star; Antonio Doss, Associate Administrator for the U.S. SBA Office of SBDCs

Pensacola, FL: Julio Estremera, certified business analyst at the SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University Immokalee center, was recognized as Florida’s Star at a special reception and banquet held on September 5 during the Association of Small Business Development Centers’ 28th Annual National Conference in Chicago.

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network selected Estremera as the Florida Star for the excellence he has shown and the outstanding contributions he has made to the overall SBDC program in new and innovative program development, creative special projects, enhanced center performance and client impact. In 2007, Estremera counseled nearly 350 entrepreneurs and small business owners and was responsible for $1.2 million in financing and over $2.5 million in owner investments to grow and market client businesses.

"It is an honor to accept this award," said Estremera, "and to have the opportunity to help so many people achieve the dream of starting and succeeding in their own business."

Estremera has been employed with the SBDC at FGCU since January of 2000. Since then, thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners have benefitted from his 35 plus years of direct business experience coupled with his bilingual abilities—a demand that is much needed in southwest Florida’s fast growing Hispanic business market. In addition to counseling, he has developed multiple seminars, in both English and Spanish, with specific focus on trades. Estremera has successfully penetrated the rural markets of Immokalee, Hendry and Glades counties. As a result of his on-going activities in those markets, the SBDC at FGCU established its first sub-center in 2002 at the Career Service Center of Collier County in Immokalee.

"I am extremely pleased to recognize Julio Estremera as our 2008 Florida Star," said Jerry Cartwright, State Director of the Florida SBDC Network. "He exemplifies the SBDC program's guiding principles of service excellence, productivity and continuous improvement, excellence in reputation, recognition and respect for all employees and clients, and honesty and integrity. We’re proud of this dedicated professional who ensures that entrepreneurs and small business owners receive the best information and assistance possible to contribute to their success."

The Florida SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA; state designated as Florida's principal business assistance organization; and nationally accredited through the Association of SBDCs by Congressional mandate. For 30 plus years, the Florida SBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations and has been dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. For more information about the Florida SBDC Network visit www.FloridaSBDC.org or call 1.866.737.7232.