Mary Beth Votava promoted to Assistant State Director of ND SBDC
MINOT, N.D. – Mary Beth Votava, longtime center director for the Minot Center of the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (ND SBDC), has been promoted to Assistant State Director.
The Assistant State Director for Programs and Development holds significant importance for the ND SBDC network as it involves supporting service center staff in various capacities, with a focus on staff development and continuing education, along with program and services strategy, development, and assessment.
“With Mary Beth’s extensive experience as a center director and her expertise in program management, she is the ideal candidate for this role,” said Tiffany Ford, state director. “Her understanding of the intricacies of service center operations equips her to comprehensively support staff members in every aspect of their day to day activities, ensuring their work is both efficient and impactful.”
Votava is the network’s longest serving member, having been part of the program since July 2000. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Minot State University. Additionally, she holds many credentialed certifications, including Certified Business Advisor, Business Certified Appraiser, Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser, Certified Exit Planning Business Advisor and Accredited Business Intermediary. Her expertise spans various domains, including accounting, finance, strategic planning, loan packaging, government procurement and business recovery work. She is particularly specialized in areas such as succession planning, business buy/sell planning and business valuation, making her an invaluable resource within the network. Votava also serves on a variety of advisory and loan committee boards and is a founding member of Start Up Minot.
“I am deeply honored to have been a part of the tremendous growth that the ND SBDC has experienced through the years,” Votava said. “I look forward to our next chapter, helping to charter a path of continued growth, service excellence and economic prosperity for North Dakota entrepreneurs.”
About the ND SBDC: The ND SBDC is a statewide outreach program of the Center for Business Engagement & Development within the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration at the University of North Dakota. The ND SBDC is the catalyst for business development and growth. A team of credentialed advisors serves small business owners and entrepreneurs across the state, providing expertise, insights, and connecting and leveraging resources to ensure client success, resulting in economic impacts that strengthen local communities. Since its inception in 1986, services have been provided at no-cost thanks to funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Currently match funding is provided by the Bank of North Dakota and local supporters across the state.
