Press Release | September 16, 2024
Three Northland SBDC Consultants honored with state and national Small Business Development Center awards
Hagberg and Henagin among nationwide 40-Under-40; Walczak named Minnesota’s State Star
The Northland Foundation announces that three members of the Northland Small Business Development Center staff have received prestigious national-level awards from America’s Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). Curt Walczak, Associate Regional Director, was named Minnesota’s State Star. Victoria Hagberg, Regional Director, and Christopher Henagin, Business Consultant, were selected for 40-Under-40 Awards. All three were honored during the 45th Annual America’s SBDC Conference held last week in Atlanta, GA. The Northland SBDC is hosted by the Northland Foundation and is one of nine regionally based SBDC centers in Minnesota.
“Thanks to Vicki’s and Curt’s leadership and the expertise of Christopher and our entire team of business consultants, the northeast Minnesota region is one of the top-performing SBDCs in the Midwest,” said Northland Foundation President, Tony Sertich.
STATE STAR AWARD
State Stars, chosen by their state SBDC networks, are among the best of the best — those who demonstrate exemplary performance, make significant contributions to their networks, and are deeply committed to the success of small businesses, based on their impact on clients, innovative approaches, team spirit, and willingness to go the extra mile. The Minnesota Star is selected from among the nine regionally based Minnesota SBDCs.
Curt Walczak has spent 23 years as a SBDC business consultant and trainer, working with northeast Minnesota businesses of all different sizes. In early 2023, he advanced to Associate Regional Director. He holds accounting and business management degrees along with certifications as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Economic Development Finance Professional. He also has 19 years of private industry experience.
Andy Donahue, the Minnesota SBDC State Director, said of Walczak, “The Minnesota SBDC is thrilled to celebrate Curt as the 2024 ASBDC State Star for Minnesota. In more than two decades on the job, he has had a profound impact on hundreds of small businesses and been a trusted mentor to his colleagues. This prestigious award is a testament to Curt’s vast knowledge and his passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed.”
40 UNDER 40 AWARD
The 2024 40-Under-40 Awards were presented to 40 outstanding individuals within the SBDC’s national network of small business consultants, selected by a panel of judges from the America’s SBDC Millennial Interest Group. Nominees may work with any of the nearly 1,000 SBDCs operating across the country. Only 40 individuals are ultimately recognized for their knowledge, innovation, and dedication to nurturing growth and prosperity in their communities.
Vicki Hagberg joined the Northland SBDC in 2020 as a business consultant and was promoted to Regional Director in January 2023. Hagberg holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and has 14 years of experience in engineering and project management in addition to her work in community and economic development. She has served on regional boards related to economicdevelopment, workforce development, and more, and recently was appointed to an ASBDC committee developing core competencies and curriculum for SBDC advisors nationwide to be considered experts in using AI to assist small businesses.
Christopher Henagin came on board as a Business Consultant with the Northland SBDC in October 2022. He graduated from the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and The College of St. Scholastica with a BA in Marketing. He has worked in human resources, financial advising, and digital marketing and is a small business owner. He also serves on several regional boards focused on community development and housing access.
“The Minnesota SBDC network is incredibly proud to recognize Vicki and Christopher for their achievement in being named to the 2024 ASBDC 40 Under 40 list. They represent the future of our industry, and we are excited to see the continued impact they will make as they lead us into the next generation of growth and success,” Donahue stated.
“Vicki, Curt, and Christopher are not only smart and hard-working, they also genuinely care about their clients – they believe in our region’s small businesses. It is terrific to see their efforts singled out among their peers nationwide,” concluded Sertich.
MORE ABOUT THE SBDC
The Northland Small Business Development Center supports entrepreneurs and business owners within seven northeast Minnesota counties (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis) and five Native nations (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (District I), and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (District II). A group of 18 consultants located around the region provides no-cost, confidential consulting and business education to facilitate growth for small and mid-size companies and help launch new enterprises.
America’s SBDC is a nonprofit Association that represents America’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) – the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.