Mark Gregory, Director of the Kenai Peninsula Small Business Development Center, receives a Resolution of Commendation from Borough Mayor Dale Bagley.

From time to time, the National Association of Small Business Development Centers recognizes outstanding employees from various Centers throughout the United States by presenting them with a national Star Award.

Recipients of the Star Award have to meet certain criteria including exemplary performance and make significant contributions to their state's small business development program and demonstrate a strong commitment to assisting small business. The latest Alaskan to receive the national honor is Mark Gregory, Director of the Kenai Peninsula Small Business Development Center, a position Gregory has held for the last five years.

Gregory was nominated for the Star Award by the Alaska Small Business Development Center because of his excellent performance resulting in high productivity, significant client outcomes, and well-placed community advocacy.

"Mark provides extraordinary program results by meeting and expanding the needs for counseling services, offering workshops and counseling to satellite locations, and delivering strong economic development to the Kenai Peninsula Borough through assistance to small businesses," said Borough Mayor Dale Bagley in a commending resolution passed unanimously by the Borough Assembly at their last meeting. "Mark is a credit to his community and is to be commended for receiving the national Star Award," added Bagley.