Main Page for the Hawai`i SBDC Network
Location & contact for each HSBDC Center office
Classes & workshops for entrepreneurs & small business
Federally-funded program promoting diversified agriculture in Hawaii
Online resouorce for small business research
Request free business counseling online
1999 Hawai`i SBDC Network Annual Report
Many helpful small business links including government agencies & the private sector
HAWAI`I SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER NETWORK
1998 ANNUAL REPORT
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

The role of the advisory board is to advise, counsel and confer with the State Director of the Hawai`i Small Busines Development Center Network on matters pertaining to the operation, advancement and improvement of its programs throughout Hawai`i. The advisory board also serves to promote communication between the small business community and the Hawai`i SBDC Network. The members, who have outstanding qualifications, are known to be familiar with and ssympathetic to small business needs and operations.

Fred M. Smoot, President (Chair)
Phoenix Pacific, Inc-Honolulu, O`ahu
Fred Smoot has a BA from the University of Colorado and a Masters Degree from Thunderbird. Smoot's firm distributes electronic-based equipment used for traffic signals and building communications systems. His Affiliations include membership in the District Export Council and the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE).
Austin Brown, Owner
Nitsua Associates
Pearl City, O`ahu
Austin Brown has a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Denver. Brown's firm specializes in the development of useable technical documents. His affiliations include membership in the Society for Technical Communication and the University of Hawai`i -Manoa, Family Community Leadership Project. Brown is the recipient of the Naval Sea Systems Command Medallion and is a Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication.
Paula Z. Helfrich, Executive Director
Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board
Kea`au, Hawai`i
Paula Helfrich was raised and educated in Burma and India and attended Northwestern University. She was an employee of Pan American Airlines for 21 years, working her way up to executive level in the Pacific region. Her affiliations include a commission on the State Foundation for Culture and the Arts, board member of the Hawai`i High School Rodeo Association, Hawai`i Horse Owners Association. Helfrich is an honorary member of the Dooley Foundation and won the 1971 "Splendid American Award" as well as an HNG Commendation Medal from the Army & Navy recognition awards.
Harry W. Hennessey, Jr. Ph.D.,SPHR,
Professor & Department Chair
Business Administration & Economics Division
University of Hawai`i at Hilo
Harry (Hank) Hennessey, Jr. has a BBA from Florida Atlantic University and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. Hennessey chairs the Business Administration & Economics Division at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. His Affiliations include membership in the Academy of Management and Society For Human Resource Management. Hank is past president of the Human Resource Certification Institute and past president and current board member of Junior Achievement of Hawai`i Island.
Corbett A.K. Kalama, Senior Vice President & Manager
Branch Banking Group- O`ahu Region,
Reinvestment Community Officer, First Hawaiian Bank
Honolulu, O`ahu
Corbett Kalama is an honors graduate in Economics from Oregon College of Education and attended the University of Hawai`i Law School. Kalama is a banker specializing in Community Reinvestment and is active in Hawaii's Community affairs, government affairs, (ABA) American Banker's Association, Government Relations Council Bankers Roundtable G.A.C. Kalama's affiliations include member of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Revolving Fund Program (Director).
  Thomas D. Reed, President
Innovative Technology Associates
Kihei, Maui
Thomas Reed has a BSEE from the University of Michigan. Reed operates four separate environmental businesses comprised of glass/plastic recycling, consulting and agriculture equipment. His affiliations include membership in the American Solar Energy Society, American Water Works Assoc., Plastic Lumber Trade Assoc. and Rotary Club. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Maui Chamber of Commerce and the Maui Economic Development Board. Reed is the recipient of the 1994 Environmentalist of the Year Award (Maui People's Choice Awards) and the KITV 1994 Environmental Achievement Award.
photo not available  Eileen A. Sakai, Vice President & Senior Credit Officer
Bank of Hawai`i
Honolulu, O`ahu
Eileen Sakai has a BBA in Management from the University of Hawai`i. She also holds a Certificate of Completion from the National Commercial Lending Graduate School at the University of Oklahoma and the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Sakai's present areas of responsibility includes over-site of commercial lending in the State of Hawaii Branches and Private Client Services, as well as bank-wide Credit Training, Community Development Lending and the SBA Loans.
Jane A. Sawyer, Assistant District Director
U.S. Small Business Administration
Honolulu, O`ahu
Jane Sawyer is the SBA Business Development Officer and is responsible for the resource management and public information of the Honolulu SBA office. She works closely with the individual small business owners and business assistance organizations across Hawaii, Guam, and the mainland. In the past Sawyer was the Executive Director of the Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the SBA Women in Business Committee.
Stacy Sproat, Executive Director & Co-Manager
The Waipa Foundation & Hawaiian Farmers of Hanalei, Inc.
Hanalei, Kaua`i
Stacy Sproat has a BS in Business Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. Sproat is a community advocate and directs a Kaua`i non-profit Hawaiian education and agriculture organization. Her affiliations include a trusteeship on the Kaua`i Museum Board of Trustees.

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