Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) State Director Linda Rossi recently announced Area Business Advisor Brian DeClue as VtSBDC’s 2016 Vermont State Star. DeClue is the Area Business Advisor for Rutland and Bennington counties. DeClue was nominated by his peers for successfully serving southwestern Vermont small businesses. “I am pleased to make this announcement, and to recognize Brian for his contributions and commitment to our organization over the past six years. He has become a highly respected member of the VtSBDC team,” she said.
Brian DeClue
DeClue joined VtSBDC in June of 2010 after working in the car rental, insurance and metal fabrication industries, mostly in the Greater San Diego, CA area. DeClue earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Clarkson University in Potsdam N.Y. with concentrations in marketing and psychology. He brings a high degree of enthusiasm, charisma, and humor in his day-to-day advising. DeClue resides in Killington, Vermont where he is an avid skier, hiker, and general outdoor enthusiast.
DeClue will be recognized for this honor at the national America’s SBDC conference in Orlando, FL in September. America’s Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations. It is the Small Business Administration’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses.
“I cannot thank my fellow advisors and VtSBDC colleagues enough for having the confidence in me to represent our organization at our national conference,” DeClue said. “I am humbled with their naming me state star and greatly appreciate the recognition and opportunity,” he said.
One business DeClue worked with directly in the past year is Thurston Forestry in Clarendon, VT. The company utilizes a rubber tired cut-to-length logging machine that is highly efficient in processing timber from the woods. “I have always wanted to my own business and enjoy the logging industry and being around heavy equipment,” owner Everett Thurston said.
DeClue and Thurston quickly went to work “writing a business plan that a bank would like” and financial projections for the business, Thurston said. “Brian (DeClue) was very informative. He also introduced me to a banker who would work with me after I had a hard time on my own.”
“I got the financing I needed,” Thurston said, describing his experience working with DeClue as “excellent.” “I would recommend (DeClue) to anyone looking to start their own business,” Thurston said.