Biloxi, Miss., Executive to Serve on Board of International AssociationCONTACT:Dinah Adkins, Executive Director National Business Incubation Association phone: (740) 593-4331 fax: (740) 593-1996 e-mail: dadkins@nbia.org ATHENS, OHIO — Adele
Lyons, executive director of the Gulf Coast Business Technology
Center in Biloxi, Miss., has been elected to serve her second
term on the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) board
of directors.
"I want NBIA to continue to grow to meet
all incubators' needs and to have great resources and training
programs for novice and experienced managers, rural and technology
programs, United States and international facilities," says
Lyons. "We have made such great strides to reach everyone.
I want to see us to continue to give all of our members the tools
they need to continue making incubation work for communities."
NBIA is the world's leading organization advancing
business incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides thousands
of professionals with the information, education, advocacy and
networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting
early-stage companies.
Gulf Coast Business Technology Center, a 33,000
square foot incubator facility, opened in October 1990 and has
been under Lyons' direction since June 1991. It is affiliated
with Harrison County Development Commission, City of Biloxi and
Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation. Twenty-four businesses
currently participate in the incubator program, which has graduated
26 companies since October 1990.
Business incubation catalyzes the process of
starting and growing companies. A proven model, it provides entrepreneurs
with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their
ventures successful. Incubation programs diversify economies,
commercialize technologies, create jobs and build wealth. Today,
there are more than 900 of these programs in the United States,
up from 12 in 1980.
"Adele has been a great ambassador for
NBIA, representing the organization both here and abroad,"
says NBIA Executive Director Dinah Adkins. "The organization
has grown so much during her first term. We are so pleased to
have her back for a second term."
As executive director of Gulf Coast Business
Technology Center and Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation,
Adele Lyons is responsible for management and marketing. She counsels
potential entrepreneurs in all aspects of business start-up, oversees
all administrative and financial aspects of the economic development
project, and coordinates and presents educational seminars. Prior
to joining Gulf Coast Business Technology Center in 1991, Lyons
held positions at Small Business Development Center, University
of Southern Mississippi - Gulf Coast, and Beech Aerospace Services.
Lyons has been a member of the NBIA Board of Directors since 1997
and is completing a one-year term as chair. She has represented
the Association and served as a conference speaker in China, Italy,
Washington, D.C., Maryland, Maine, and Charlotte, N.C. |
