Ron Nielsen is happy to return to North Central Washington
Information submitted by the Port of Chelan County
Ron Nielsen has been named the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) certified business advisor for the SBDC office in Wenatchee. Nielsen has been an SBDC advisor in Olympia since 2011, but his first stint as an SBDC advisor started in 1989 when he was concurrently the director of economic development in Okanogan County. He replaces Cashmere Mayor Jim Fletcher, who was an SBDC business advisor for 16 years and retired in 2018.
“It is nice to come back to eastern Washington,” Nielsen said. “I am delighted to be in Wenatchee serving the Chelan and Douglas county business community.”
Nielsen’s office is at 238 Olds Station Road, co-located with offices for the Port of Chelan County. The Port of Chelan County and the Port of Douglas County are key funding partners for SBDC advising in the Wenatchee Valley.
“The Port of Chelan County values the economic contributions of small businesses,” said Executive Director Jim Kuntz. “Having an SBDC advisor in the valley is integral to our efforts to promote
economic development because it means small business owners and entrepreneurs have access to expert, objective, no-cost advising to help them start or expand their business.”
“Ron is an experienced small business advisor with a track record of helping small business owners achieve success,” Kuntz said, “and we are glad to have him join us in Wenatchee.”
Ron Cridlebaugh, economic development manager of the Port of Douglas County, said the port recognizes that small businesses are the backbone of local economies and it’s critical that business owners have access to the types of services and resources SBDC advisors can provide to help small businesses succeed.
“We are really excited to have Ron here,” he said, adding that Nielsen’s knowledge of Chelan and Douglas counties is a big plus. “I think that’s really important, especially in our valley,” he said. “He’ll be able to hit the ground running.”
“Ron’s office in the Wenatchee Valley is possible because of the partnership and support of the ports of Chelan and Douglas counties,” said Duane Fladland, state director of the Washington SBDC. “We look forward to working with all of our resource partners in the region to help small businesses grow and succeed.”
Nielsen has been an SBDC advisor for more than 19 years. In 2014 he was named the Washington SBDC Star Performer. His professional certifications include Profit Mastery facilitator, Certified NxLevel instructor, NASBITE International Global Business Professional and Economic Development Finance Professional.
As an SBDC advisor, he often assists clients with loan packaging, debt and equity financing, debt restructuring, financial statement analysis, succession planning, business evaluations, business
systems, financial forecasting, business plans, marketing, cash flow management and more.
Nielsen’s own small business experience includes starting an ultra-light aircraft sales business when he was 19 and later running a family-owned bowling alley and movie theater in Coulee Dam, Wash., with his wife, Skeets, and their children, Jacqueline, R.D., Ben and Joshua, from 1996 to 2007. From 2007 to 2011 he was an SBDC advisor in Arizona.
About the Washington SBDC:
The Washington SBDC is a network of more than 30 advisors working in nearly 20 communities across the state to provide small business owners with hands-on, practical advice on how to overcome challenges or move their business forward. The Washington SBDC provides one-on-one, confidential business advising as well as workshops and training to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs
Washington State University is the statewide host of the Washington SBDC and provides administrative and funding support. The Washington SBDC receives half its funding from state and local stakeholders and the other half from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
