COLUMBUS — Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that Kim Holizna, Director of the International Trade Assistance Center in Northeast Ohio, has successfully completed the Certified Business Advisor® (CBA) Program, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Development’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC).

“Certification is a critical component in assuring that Ohio firms receive the highest quality support and business consulting available to them,” said Johnson, who also serves as state development director. “SBDC advisors bring special skills in assisting small business, and the CBA distinction identifies that Kim has been trained at the highest professional standards.”

Ms. Holizna has served as Director of the regional International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC) since 2004. Hosted by the Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium (NEOTEC), the ITAC assists local businesses interested in developing international markets as well as existing exporters wanting to expand markets. Services include export readiness assistance, trade compliance, documentation requirements and other export counseling services that facilitate growth through exports for small- and medium-sized businesses in Northeast Ohio.

The CBA program trains business advisors to achieve competency in effective consulting and business skills through graduate level courses in financial analysis, consulting techniques, marketing and human resource management. The University of Findlay College of Business Graduate School independently conducts the courses and testing, with oversight by the Ohio Department of Development.

The Certified Business Advisor® Program meets the criteria for professional development certification training as set forth in standards required by the Small Business Administration and the national Association of Small Business Development Centers. All SBDC advisors that provide services to small business owners and managers must be certified by the State of Ohio.

The Ohio Small Business Development Centers Certified Business Advisor® Program reaffirms the business advisor’s knowledge in business basics and establishes a baseline for continuity and consistency in service delivery. The Program also provides a framework for continuing professional development and provides skills training in specialized areas such as International Trade, Defense Diversification and Manufacturing Technology. The Certified Business Advisor® Program is engaged in a continuous goal setting process to ensure the skills required to meet ongoing business development needs are maintained.

For more information about ITAC’s services, contact the International Trade Assistance Center at 330-672-4081 or 1-800-793-0912. For more about the small business development programs, contact the Small Business Development Centers of Ohio at 1-800-848-1300.

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The Northeast Ohio Trade and Economic Consortium (NEOTEC) is a regional economic development partnership including Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne counties, built to improve market access through the development of the Northeast Ohio Logistics Network and to promote international commerce through the administration of Foreign Trade Zone 181.

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