GTCC’s Small Business Center director honored

Mark Hagenbuch serves as director of the Small Business Center at Guilford Technical Community College.

JAMESTOWN, N.C. — Mark Hagenbuch, director of the Small Business Center at Guilford Technical Community College, has been named State Director of the Year by the N.C. Community College System’s Small Business Center Network. This marks the fourth time Hagenbuch has been recognized for this statewide accolade. He received State Director of the Year honors in 2013, 2016 and 2017. 

The Director of the Year award recognizes those who go above and beyond in providing significant support, time and service to Small Business Center clients. They also demonstrate strong support and commitment to the overall mission of the Small Business Center Network at the state level.

For Hagenbuch, the achievement reflects the support he has received from GTCC’s leadership team.

“This award is a tribute to the teamwork and partnership of all of the organizations in Guilford County that assist and support entrepreneurs and small business owners,” said Hagenbuch. “Collaboration and cooperation are essential components to the continued growth of small business startups.”

The Small Business Center at GTCC is part of a statewide network and is a college-funded initiative with a vision to foster and support entrepreneurship, small business and economic development in local communities with an emphasis on assisting startups, early stage and at-risk enterprises.

In addition to serving as director for GTCC’s Small Business Center, Hagenbuch also serves as regional director for the Piedmont Triad where he provides leadership and guidance to the directors in the region’s seven small-business centers. He also provides oversight, training and troubleshooting support for the network's client management system. Over the past two years, Hagenbuch has integrated technology to better support the training needs of SBC directors. He hosts a monthly webinar that helps new directors get quickly up-to-speed.

Last fiscal year, GTCC’s Small Business Center hosted 167 small business seminars with nearly 2,000 participants attending. The Small Business Center also documented 20 new businesses created during the 12-month period.

Click here to learn more about GTCC’s Small Business Center.