Darrell Jones, manager of the North Charleston Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC), was recently selected as the 2017 South Carolina State Star. This achievement is based on his performance, enthusiasm for representing the network in the business community, contributions to local economic development, and service to the SC SBDC.

Every year, each of the 63 SBDCs across the U.S. and its territories selects a state star who is honored at a special reception by the national association of Small Business Development Centers, America’s SBDC. 

Jones has been with the Charleston Area SBDC since 2014 and has been managing the center since 2016. Among his accomplishments, he has developed a series of partnerships with key organizations such as the Small Business Administration, the College of Charleston, area lenders, and other partners that have led to programs and joint activities that are attracting many high-potential clients to the SC SBDC.

When announcing Jones’ selection as the 2017 ASBDC State Star, South Carolina State Director Michele Abraham said, “Darrell is an extremely productive and ambitious consultant. To say he goes above and beyond in everything he pursues is an understatement. He consistently operates at the highest echelons; I call it ‘productivity on steroids.’

"In addition to his endeavors to bolster the Charleston business community, Darrell leads numerous workshops, is active in civic organizations and has been a guest speaker on several occasions at Charleston Southern University. Despite these demands on his time, Jones’ priority is providing individualized attention to his list of clients—which happens to be one of the largest in the state.”

"I am able to identify with and better serve the needs of my clients because I have sat on both sides of the desk,” said Jones, referring to his commercial banking experience. “For almost 20 years, I served as both a lender and credit analyst. I enjoy sharing my passion and in-depth knowledge of the financial industry with prospective entrepreneurs.”

About the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC):
Twenty-one South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) located throughout the state’s 46 counties offer pro bono individual, confidential business consulting.  Highly-trained consultants assist both existing and startup companies providing a variety of services including business plan development, fiscal and operations management, human resources, financing options, marketing strategies and much more. In addition to conducting a variety of free or low-cost education workshops, SBDC centers refer clients to useful business resources. Specialized services include government contracting, exporting, technology commercialization, veterans’ business assistance and minority outreach. For more information, visit SCSBDC.com.