Whitney Horton of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center was recognized as a 2018 State Star at the 38th Annual America’s SBDC Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., Sept. 4-7. 

Horton, a resident of Sherwood, is a business consultant at the ASBTDC Lead Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

With the center since 2009, Horton assists potential and current small business owners with business planning, funding and marketing.

Horton earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and Master of Business Administration at UA Little Rock. She is also a graduate of the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas.

The State Star award, the highest accolade for SBDC employees, recognizes extraordinary performers who have made significant contributions to their state network and display strong commitment to the state’s small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Annually, one person from every state and U.S. territory is selected for the award. Winners were recognized during a special ceremony and reception at the International Spy Museum Sept. 4.

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.

In the upper right photo, Laura Fine (right), ASBTDC state director, congratulates 2018 State Star Whitney Horton (left).