CHARLESTON — After nearly a decade of service at the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, the agency announced today that Steve Johnson will be its next State Director.

Johnson has served the WV SBDC in many roles including business coach, Network Coordinator, and most recently Deputy Director. He also has more than 25 years of small business ownership experience.

“After working with West Virginia’s incredible small business owners over the last nine years, I am honored to take this position and guide the WV SBDC as it continues the vital work of helping our state’s small businesses start, expand and succeed,” Johnson said.

A native of Huntington, Johnson earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Marshall University and his Master of Business Administration from Wayne State College in Nebraska. His professional certificates include Certified Global Business Professional and Certified Business Advisor.

The WV SBDC, which is an accredited partner program with the U.S. Small Business Administration and a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, helps small businesses at all stages of development by connecting owners to programs, resources and coaches. WV SBDC business coaches have professional certifications ranging from exporting, innovation, technology and economic development, to finance, management, marketing and entrepreneurship. For more information about WV SBDC services and WV SBDC coaches, visit wvsbdc.com.