Aundrea Salyer, MBA, CEcD

Executive-level economic developer, small business advocate and front-line champion who promotes the growth and prosperity of small businesses nationwide. Experience working closely with and analyzing economic and demographic factors of the small business community to understand their needs and issues, create tools, direct resources, and promote continued growth of start-ups and existing small businesses. Experience working collaboratively with partner organizations (including the SBA) to expand services to a broader geographic area. Skilled at meeting with media representatives and community organizations/associations to coordinate outreach initiatives/events, and advertise and organize products/services. Bring knowledge and hands-on experience with innovative thinking and best practices that create meaningful opportunities for small businesses and result in job creation and economic growth. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Established SBA partnership that expanded services to the regional level and more than doubled the annual budget; provided expert testimony at a House of Representatives Committee on Small Business hearing in Washington, D.C.; launched GrowthWheel® program for existing businesses to provide a systematic approach to operational growth; recognized by the Tennessee District Office U.S. SBA with the Women in Business Champion Award; recognized by the Tennessee Small Business Development Centers as America's SBDC State Star (Tennessee); conducted the first region wide survey of women business owners for which the results were published by the Tennessee Economic Council on Women in their 2010 report, The Economic Impact of Women-Owned Businesses in Tennessee. CORE COMPETENCIES Market Development; Marketing Programs; Economic Development; Capital Investment/Financing; Key Resource Partnerships; Minority Enterprise Development Programs; Federal Contracting; Outreach/Promotion; Business Development Programs; SBA Loan Program Knowledge; Public/Media Relations; Demographic/Statistical Data Analysis; Event Planning/Fundraising; Mentoring/Training; Entrepreneurship