The former interim director as well as associate director has led in the pandemic to reach unprecedented heights for the area’s SBDCs.
The San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and its host the Southwestern Community College District, has officially named Daniel Fitzgerald as the regional SBDC’s new director.
Same Great Leader, New Role Officially
Fitzgerald, who has been serving in an interim role as the acting director throughout the pandemic and before that as associate director for four years, also manages and works out of the college’s Center for Business Advancement located at Southwestern’s Higher Education Center in National City. The Center for Business Advancement additionally includes the San Diego, Orange, Imperial Procurement Technical Assistance Center for advising small businesses in government contracting and the San Diego & Imperial Women’s Business Center for supporting women entrepreneurs. He’s also the fiscal agent for the California Women’s Business Center Network.
“Danny is the consummate professional — always a team player, going above and beyond to help others,” said Christine Perri, dean of the Higher Education Center and who works with Fitzgerald and his teams often in reporting how the SBDC and related centers are advancing the region’s business communities. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to have Danny part of Southwestern’s leadership. And every time we’re sharing information perhaps related to Hispanic Heritage Month or Women’s History Month, we get to spread the word about how he has led his staff in achieving outstanding results for our area small business owners — across backgrounds and industries.”
How the Regional SBDC and Small Business Communities Are Benefitting
From 2016-2021, the San Diego & Imperial SBDC served 13,500 clients, helped create 4,500 jobs, assisted in opening 900 business, as well as fostered small businesses in earning $575 million in funding and achieving $600 million in sales or contracts. Clients include speakers of English as a second language, immigrants, refugees as well as entrepreneurs ranging from those achieving microloans to accessing millions in angel investing.
“We are very fortunate to have Danny as an asset to the local SBA team here in San Diego and beyond,” said Mike Sovacool, deputy district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s San Diego Office. “He has an extensive knowledge of, and experience in, providing counseling, training, and mentoring to the diverse and dynamic small business community in the San Diego/Imperial County area that we are privileged to serve.
“He is a gifted leader and manager; he has created a strong synergy amongst the entire network, specifically the gifted service center directors within the network. The steady and significant growth in client numbers served, capital infusion, jobs created and saved, new business starts, are all indicative of his and his teams’ impact on the community — and of their strong and consistent devotion to the entire small business ecosystem here in southern California. We are certain that the best is yet to come, and Danny’s role in leading this SBDC Network will continue to be top-notch, as we all continue to assist the San Diego/Imperial area in starting, growing and expanding small business success.”
Making a Difference
For over 20 years, Fitzgerald has been an involved and prominent fixture in the small business ecosystems of San Diego and Imperial counties. He has served in a wide variety of leadership and executive roles, making a significant impact on thousands of businesses and multiple industries throughout the state.
“I’m excited and honored,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to continue moving our amazing SBDC network forward. Our region’s SBDCs have been growing rapidly, but we’re remaining very focused on our mission and the evolving needs of our business communities. We have been strategizing and planning how to be more inclusive, widespread and present. In 2022, we want to continue to help businesses move from pandemic triaging to overall excellent economic health. I’m humbled to be part of that journey.”
Seeking Assistance?
The SBDC exists to help small businesses at no charge. Entrepreneurs can reach out to get assigned a business advisor, who works with small business owners one-on-one and at no cost. Visit SDIVSBDC.org/advising to access an advisor or call (619) 482-6391 if needed. The SBDC website also has other information available such as free or discounted business resources and tools, live online workshops and a range of on-demand training.
