Rebecca Norman was honored as the State Star for Arkansas Sept. 19 at the 36th annual conference of America’s Small Business Development Centers in Orlando. 

Norman is the innovation consultant for the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, which is part of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business.

She received the State Star designation for contributing significantly to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center program, being an exemplary performer, and showing a strong commitment to Arkansas small businesses and entrepreneurs.

A State Star is chosen from each state, regional, or territorial Small Business Development Center program.

Norman, who has a master’s degree in professional and technical writing from UALR, joined the center full time in 2009 after serving as a graduate assistant. In her role as innovation consultant, she assists technology-based small businesses and university researchers throughout Arkansas.

She specializes in helping clients navigate the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) federal funding programs and develop winning proposals. Norman has helped clients win $10.3 million in competitive grants and awards and other capital funding. She also leads frequent classroom training and webinars on technology commercialization and SBIR/STTR.

With about 1,000 centers across the nation, 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 U.S. Small Business Administration’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their own businesses.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center program is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the UALR College of Business. ASBTDC assists new, existing, and expanding small businesses and innovation-based ventures through a statewide network of seven offices. Learn more at asbtdc.org.