New Regional Director selected to lead the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Network

Jesse Torres to lead the SBDC network which covers Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties

LOS ANGELES – Jesse Torres has joined the nation’s 7th largest funded Small Business Development Center Network as the new Regional SBDC Director overseeing six centers throughout Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. The Lead Center, which is hosted by the Long Beach Community College District, holds the contract with the SBA and administers and operates the area’s SBDC program.  There are 63 other lead SBDCs in the nation, five others of which are in California.

“We are excited that Jesse has joined the Economic and Resource Development Team here at Long Beach City College. He brings tremendous leadership and collaboration skills that will have a positive impact on the small businesses we serve as well as the other economic and workforce development efforts of the College and our partners,” said Lou Anne Bynum, Vice-President, Economic & Resource Development at Long Beach City College.

“As a partner with Long Beach Community College District, the U.S. Small Business Administration sees the appointment of Jesse Torres as a tremendous asset as our organizations collaborate to support the Los Angeles small business community.  In a difficult economic climate, the Small Business Development Center program is a key resource that takes the full commitment of talented public servants like Jesse and we look forward to working with him and LBCC to build on the SBDC program at such a critical time.” Mark Quinn, Acting District Director, Los Angles District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration.

Torres joins the SBDC Lead Center after serving as Director for Alumni and Corporate Relations at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management for the past six years. Jesse has extensive experience in relationship-building, implementing programs and fundraising after having served as Regional Director for the Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC Network in 2009.

Torres’ focus for the next year is to continue to serve the small business community by offering high quality workshops and specialized one-on-one business advising sessions; focusing on the state’s four initiatives of procurement, international trade, technology and innovation; and helping our small businesses go green. Among his other interests and goals is to re-establish a presence in the San Gabriel Valley area and improve outreach efforts to the entire Los Angeles business community.

“It is an honor to be working with the exceptional team that makes up the Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network,” said Torres.  “Despite these turbulent times, our centers continue to make tremendous impact in the local economy, helping to create or retain more than 1,200 jobs, launch 167 businesses and provide close to $40M in capital infusion to local businesses in the past year.   We welcome new partnerships and ideas that will help us to move the dial on economic growth throughout our region.”

Torres holds an M.B.A. from Pepperdine and is the Founding Chair of the Pepperdine Hispanic Alumni Council.

The Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network provides free one-on-one business advising and affordable training in areas like business strategy, marketing, financial management and procurement. Whether you’re starting a business or want to take your business to the next level, the SBDCs can help.

2010 Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network Economic Impact Data:

Business Start-Ups (167)

• Jobs Created and Retained (1,233)
• Increase in Sales ($34,415,655)
• Number of Entrepreneurs assisted with loan preparation (402)
• Amount of Capital Infusion ($39,907,310)
• Entrepreneurs Advised and Trained (10,135)