FAMU Small Business Center receives highest honor at Excellence Awards

Since its inception, the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) has assisted thousands of North Florida businesses from startup to company growth.

In recognition of its profound impact on Florida’s small business community, the Center’s Associate Director Aundra’ McGlockton Sr., was recently honored at the Florida SBDC 2015 Performance Excellence Awards. McGlockton received the “Florida Star of the Year” award. The Star Award is the highest given by the SBDC to employees who have made extraordinary contributions to their state network.

In 2014, McGlockton was instrumental in helping the Center’s clients obtain equity investments and loans totaling more than  $3.6 million. He also assisted his clients in creating and retaining 144 jobs. In total, 298 entrepreneurs and business owners were serviced by the Center in 2014, translating into 5,481 consulting hours, 884 jobs, $27.8 million in government contracts, and $4.8 million in investment capital.

McGlockton will be recognized at the 35th Annual America’s SBDC Conference in San Francisco, Calif. this September.

“It is good to know my efforts helped contribute to the overall success of the FSBDC statewide network and the success of our Small Business Development Center at Florida A&M University,” McGlockton said. “We all work extremely hard at our center to assist our clients. I believe that my work at the center is an integral part of my life’s calling and I attribute my success to a commitment to excellence and a desire to help others.”

McGlockton explained that going above and beyond the call of duty has been a vital factor in his ability to help businesses flourish.

“I look for the roads less traveled when dealing with the challenges brought to me by business owners, as well as those we face in life,” he said. “If possible, I always try to go the extra mile with all of my clients to make sure their expectations are exceeded.”

McGlockton has more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive with various manufacturing, retail, and nonprofit companies. He has directed, managed, and set up various professional organizations and successful companies that include finance and accounting, B2B marketing, bids and proposals, project management, as well as industrial engineering. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from FAMU, an MBA in executive management from Vanderbilt University, and a Master of Divinity from Duke University.

Additionally, he holds certificates of training in lean manufacturing, business capture planning, CFO process development, senior executive management, and a number of other financial/technical training.  Also, McGlockton is certified as an economic development finance professional and has completed all of the requirements for accreditation as a business-planning advisor.

The Florida SBDC at FAMU professional staff of consultants and trainers provides comprehensive, confidential business consulting services that are at no cost to the client. The Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Florida A&M University. The SBDC at FAMU serves eight counties within the northwest Florida region, from Leon to Madison.