People You Should Know: Steve Wyatt

Statewide Director for Business Development
College of Engineering, University of Missouri Extension

AGE: 42

JOB DESCRIPTION: With economic development as the fourth mission of the university, my job is to provide leadership to the various business-development programs across the state. The breadth of these programs includes everything from helping to start companies, to commercializing technology, to attracting Hollywood movies to Missouri. The programs I oversee across the state include: the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located in 16 county Extension offices and on 10 state university campuses; the SBDC FAST Technology Initiative; the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers; the Missouri Film Office; the University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship; the Market Development Program; and the Environmental Assistance Centers. My job is to maximize the economic impact through education, training, technical assistance, counseling, and leveraging university technology and resources to improve Missourians’ quality of life.

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 22

ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Kaseyville, Mo.

EDUCATION: A juris doctorate with an emphasis in business from the MU School of Law in 1990 and a master’s degree in business administration from the MU College of Business in 1989. Bachelor’s degree with a major in business administration and a minor in computer science from Liberty University in Virginia in 1986.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: My favorite community-involvement activities are teaching middle school kids and mentoring pre-marital couples at Woodcrest Chapel.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: More than 20 years of experience in business, economic development and education. During the late 1980s, I provided business counseling and training to various small businesses in mid-Missouri. In the ‘90s, I served as the associate state director for the Missouri Small Business Development Centers that helped thousands start and grow their businesses. I also was able to start the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, which help businesses win government contracts. In 2001, I became the current Statewide Business Development Program director. Outside of the university, I am involved in part-time rental property and legal work.

A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: I admire young entrepreneurs who start and grow businesses. America was built on innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Young serial entrepreneurs like Adam Guy need to be held up as examples.

WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: Entrepreneurship and small business development are critical to creating a competitive economy, a healthy community and jobs. Our future economic strength is connected to creating an entrepreneurial climate, creating tomorrow’s workforce, and leveraging university expertise and research to create the high-growth companies and industries of tomorrow. My passion is to lead a statewide business-assistance network that improves the quality of people’s lives economically.

IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR ALIVING, I WOULD: Be developing real estate full time. I enjoy rental property and remodeling homes with my wife.

BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME: I am learning to focus on the key priorities, to delegate more and to say “no.” If it doesn’t fit, don’t commit.

A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Leading the charge to obtain state funding for the Small Business Development Centers FAST effort. FAST provides help to entrepreneurs seeking to access $2.5 billion in federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants to commercialize technology. FAST is designed to help Missouri attract its fair share of funding to build tomorrow’s technology-based industries in the state.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: This is a team contact sport that requires the development of win-win partnerships that focus on scoring. After training more than 20,000 entrepreneurs and providing more than 21,000 hours of business counseling to more than 3,500 people annually, it comes down to increased sales, jobs, loans, investments and state tax revenues. You can’t do it alone.

WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I enjoy spending time with my family, waterskiing, sailing, motorcycling and hunting.

FAMILY: I have been married for 17 incredible years to my wife, Tamela. I have two daughters, Celestyn (15) and Crystalyn (11), and a son, Lucas (10).

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Rock Bridge State Park

ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I’m most proud of the time I invest in my three children helping them to develop compassion, good decision-making skills and values.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: I grew up on a family farm. I am still involved in the legal affairs of the diversified farming operation in northern Missouri. I still enjoy driving tractors.