Newsroom

William Harnden of Clinton, Regional Director of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC) at Raritan Valley Community College, has been selected to receive the NJSBDC State Star Award for 2016. The award, which recognizes Harnden’s outstanding performance in assisting small business, will be presented at the 36th Annual America’s SBDC Conference, September 19-22, in Orlando, Florida. America’s SBDC represents the country’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers–the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories.

Selected annually from each of the state, regional or territorial SBDCs, the State Star Award is determined by exemplary performance, significant contribution to the state or regional SBDC program, and a commitment to small business. All of the honorees will be recognized at the formal ceremony in Orlando.  

As Regional Director, Harnden manages the center’s delivery of technical assistance, training courses and free counseling services to small business owners and entrepreneurs in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. His contributions to the SBDC include focusing on database management and analysis to improve operations, establishing and building relationships with local and educational organizations to support small business efforts, and broadening communications and outreach to the community.
 
Harnden began his business career with General Motors, managing several Accounting and Systems Development departments. In 1995, Harnden left to become an entrepreneur, owning and operating a successful franchise store. After selling his business in 1998, he joined the RVCC Finance Office, handling bursar activities, contracts and grants accounting. In 2004 he was selected as Assistant Director of the SBDC, providing business and loan package development counseling. Four years later, he became the center’s Operations Director and in 2012 was promoted to Regional Director. Harnden is an active member of the Somerset County Business Partnership and the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce.

The SBDC at RVCC is located at 14 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater (Bldg. B). For additional information, contact the SBDC office at 908-526-1200, ext. 8516, or sbdc@raritanval.edu. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Raritan Valley Community College’s main campus is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 7, 2016

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #17