EUGENE, Ore.– Lane Community College has hired Robert Killen as the new Lane Small Business Development Center director. Killen brings extensive experience in the local business community to the SBDC.
“I am passionate about helping business owners develop the skills they need to understand their finances and run their businesses successfully,” said Killen. “As a child, I watched my father’s business transform from a source of joy to heartbreak as the business evolved and he struggled to understand the full picture. It is a privilege to help others learn and grow, finding joy in their businesses.”
Killen most recently served as the director of membership development at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce where he has also served as a board member. Prior to that, Killen worked in finance as a finance manager and a commercial banker where he helped businesses better understand and manage their resources. As an artist with a talent for branding, he spent seven years as an art director. Killen is also a highly accomplished public speaker.
“We are excited for Robert to join the Lane SBDC. He brings a deep understanding of our local business community both from the private sector and the nonprofit and chamber perspectives,” said State SBDC Director Mark Gregory. “This community has already embraced Robert at the Springfield Chamber and we are excited to see his energy at the Lane SBDC.”
In 2018, the Lane SBDC helped small businesses gain $2 million in capital formation and increased sales by $1.7 million. These small businesses created and retained 132 jobs with the support of the Lane SBDC Advisers. The Center advised 679 clients and held 80 training events with 655 attendees. The Lane SBDC offers support, classes and no-cost advising to small business owners and prospective small business owners. Together, the Lane SBDC is committed to building Oregon’s best businesses.
For more information about Lane Community College:
Lane is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabilities Employer
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Lane Community College educates over 25,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $850 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 13,000 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.