• Joshua Duin, MBA Graduate Program
• Mark Boekhout, MSA Graduate Program
• Jack Dalton, Accountancy-Finance, Accountancy Honoree
• Eric Schuler, Economics
• Adham Davlatov, Accountancy-Finance, Finance Honoree
• Michiel Juch, Supply Chain Management
• Vera Zdravkova, International Business
• Joseph Danes, Management
• Robbie Richards, Marketing

Read more about how COBE Professor and Director of the Centre for Creativity and Innovation, Nancy Napier, is helping Bronco Nation at KTVB.com

SBDC clients grew sales at a rate that was more than 10 times that of the average Idaho business, and employment growth for SBDC clients was positive with 135 new jobs created and 838 jobs saved.

“This is remarkable given the economy and clearly demonstrates the value SBDC consultants bring to Idaho’s small businesses and economy,” said Idaho SBDC state director Jim Hogge. “We are seeing existing businesses making changes that will make them stronger and ready to grow when the economy improves and we are also seeing more entrepreneurs willing to start a new enterprise. Businesses that have clear goals and a plan to reach their goals are succeeding.”

In 2009, the Idaho SBDC served 1,891 clients with tailored, one-on-one consulting and 3,849 individuals with focused, high-impact training. Sales increased $79.5 million for those clients. That translated to $4 million in additional state and federal tax revenue — a return to the economy of $3 for every $1 invested in the program.

About 97 percent of Idaho firms are considered small businesses — those with 500 or fewer employees. State and national statistics show that small businesses create 70 percent to 80 percent of all new jobs.

In addition, the Idaho SBDC was one of five in the country to receive funding to help small businesses achieve greater energy efficiency. During fall semester 2009, 19 students from a variety of disciplines at Boise State were trained to conduct energy evaluations at small retail, service and wholesale operations. Students completed 45 evaluations and provided each company with an action plan for reducing energy use. The program continues at Boise State and has expanded to the University of Idaho this spring. Contact energy@idahosbdc.edu for more information.

The Idaho SBDC is a statewide network with six offices located at Idaho’s state colleges and universities. The program provides no-cost confidential business consulting and affordable trainings and seminars to Idaho’s for-profit small businesses. Through a partnership with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Idaho SBDC also provides environmental regulatory assistance, and has recently added a bilingual consultant to assist the Hispanic business community. The center serves clients in all of Idaho’s 44 counties.

For more information on the annual report or Idaho SBDC services, call 426-1640 or visit www.idahosbdc.org.

To view pictures of the beautiful, fun, fall day click on the 2009 COBE Golf Album.

Congratulations to the following winners:

1st Gross
Kevin Jones
Dan Long
Jeff Miller
Justin Smith

1st Net
Chuck Graves
Torry McAlvain
Sean O’Gara
Ronald Van Auker, Jr.

2nd Net
Bob Butler
Jason Coronado
Justin Dye
Rick Navarro

3rd Net
Dave Cooper
Greg McDonald
Johnny Miller
Bob Running

COBE wishes to thank the following sponsor for their generous support:

Hewlett Packard
Budweiser – Stein Distributing
Hummel Architecs PLLC
Dykman Electric
Van Auker Companies
CTI Foods
Idaho Stampede
Fredriksen Health Insurance
Best Bath Systems
Jackson’s Food Stores
DB Fitzpatrick
Oppenheimer Companies
Syringa Networks
Jim & Diane Crawford Class of ’72
G Square Companies
Aspen Capital Management
LPL Financial – Layne Hepworth
Deloitte Tax
Key Bank
J.R. Simplot Company
Capital Matrix
TCBY
COBE – Accountancy Department
RBC Wealth Mgt.
McAlvain Construction
Post Insurance Services
Colliers international
Capital Educators
Western Capital Bank
Alliance Title & Escrow
First American Title Company
Layton Construction

To keep up with their latest experiences visit Doug Metzgar’s blog. Doug is a member of the EMBA class of 2010. He’s also a principal at Meshwork Marketing and an expert in community marketing.

MBA Upgrade is a three-day, six-session course that will expand participants’ knowledge and present the latest developments in the areas of forecast modeling, financial management, presentation zen, attracting and keeping the best employees, future trend analysis and innovation.

Boise State’s MBA Upgrade program is the only one of its kind in the Northwest.

The program will run from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day in the Stueckle Sky Center. The cost is $945, with a $50 discount for Boise State alumni. The fee covers all materials, a completion certificate, a networking luncheon and refreshment breaks. Additional packages are available at $245 for an individual MBA Upgrade session, or any three sessions for $495.

For more information or to register, call ext. 6-3008, e-mail mbaupgrade@boisestate.edu or visit the Web site.