Homer businessman named ASBDC regional director </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 8:42 PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Homer businessman named ASBDC regional director

By Aaron Selbig
Staff Writer

Homer businessman and city council member Bryan Zak added to his already jam-packed resume in March when he landed the job as the South West Director for the Alaska Small Business Development Center, a position he said would help him bring valuable resources to small businesses in Homer.

Bryan Zak

"It's wonderful. It's a pretty interesting job that truly allows me to better serve members of our community and keeps me focused on what a lot of people face here on the Kenai Peninsula," said Zak.

Zak, who owns Zak's Realty and Alaska Adventure Cabins in Homer, is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who was elected to the Homer City Council last year.

He is the first person from the Homer area to be named to the job, he said, and although it means he must split his time between Homer and his new office in Soldotna, he is excited to be able to help people start up and develop new businesses in the area.

"I think it will be good for Homer businesses," he said.

"We have an economic development committee with the city and with the Homer Chamber of Commerce and I think those relationships will help spur the economy and small businesses."

The ASBDC is a statewide network of offices that was created by the U.S. Congress in the 1980s and falls under the federal Small Business Administration. They are administered through the University of Alaska system and offer a plethora of programs and business tools, including counseling services, low interest loans, workshops and trade shows.

ASBDC also runs the popular Buy Alaska program, a marketing campaign to encourage in-state purchases of local goods and services, and the Alaska Performance Excellence program, which gives out the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in recognition of performance excellence.

Zak has already gotten his feet wet in the new job, attending a recent economic forum in Seward and helping to present a one-day workshop in Soldotna on behalf of the Alaska Performance Excellence program.

Although the added responsibility keeps him busy and involves quite a bit of travel time, Zak said he is up to the challenge.

"I'm pretty good with time management and I've always had good folks helping me out so I can still keep my business going. I've been able to do very well, even with all the driving."

As for his position as a city council member, Zak said he might have an occasional conflict of interest when business with the University of Alaska system is on the table but for the most part, his position will benefit the council.

"I think the council actually benefits by having a member being the director. I get to see what's going on in all the other areas of the peninsula," he said.

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaronselbig.@homernews.com.