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10/15/10 kkh

HAYS, Kan. -- Stan Compton, associate state director for the Kansas Small Business Development Center, has been selected as the 2010 State Star of the KSBDC Network and as the Star Performer by the Association of Small Business Development Centers, according to KSBDC State Director Wally Kearns.

"I am very pleased that Stan's peers recognize the outstanding contribution Stan makes to the KSBDC team and are recognizing him as the State Star," said Kearns. "Stan performs all of his responsibilities in a truly outstanding manner."

Kearns said an example of Compton's truly outstanding performance and attention to detail are the results of the financial reviews conducted in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009 by the United States Small Business Administration. Under Compton's leadership and oversight, the KSBDC Network has excellent financial accountability and management policies and procedures for determining allowable costs. The last review, conducted in August 2009, had no findings.

"Stan continually demonstrates concern about the health and welfare of all KSBDC and NetWork Kansas team members and is always looking for ways to maximize overall productivity and effectiveness by minimizing time consuming administrative actions," said Kearns. "Stan is truly a unique and outstanding person."

The State Star award recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in work performance, initiative and/or creativity that results in improved operating efficiency, exceptional assistance to clients and an effort to enhance the image of the KSBDC Network through community relations and programs that bring distinction to the network.

The Star Performer Award is a similar award presented to one individual from each state by the ASBDC. Compton received the Star Performer award during a reception on Sept. 24 in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with ASBDC's 30th Annual Conference. The reception was sponsored by Sage North America-Business Software Solutions for Accounting.

Compton joined the KSBDC Network in 2000. During the last 10 years, he has been instrumental in helping the network grow from eight regional centers to 18 regional and outreach centers.

"I was totally surprised and humbled to learn of my selection," Compton said. "It is an honor to represent this great group of people."

Prior to working with the KSBDC, Compton worked for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System and was with the state of Kansas for 15 years as a sales/use and corporate income tax auditor. He attributes his success with the KSBDC partly to his experience as a small business owner.

"During the last 12 years, I have started and participated in three different small business ventures of my own," he said. "My past and current experiences have provided me with a good idea of what it takes to be a successful small business owner."

Compton grew up in Topeka and graduated with a degree in business from Washburn University. Following his service in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1979, he returned to Topeka. He and his wife, Pat, have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. Co-workers realize his true passion when he starts talking about his grandchildren.

"First and foremost, I love playing with my grandchildren and being around family. I enjoy sports of all kinds, hunting and fishing, traveling with my wife, listening to all types of music, art, life in general."

An avid KU Jayhawks fan, Compton remembers "I Am Third," a book written by legendary KU running back Gayle Sayers.

"The basic premise is that the Lord is first, my family and friends are second and I am third," Compton said. "This is the principle I try to live and work by."

About KSBDC:

The Kansas Small Business Development Center Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Kansas Department of Commerce. KSBDC is nationally accredited through the Association of Small Business Development Centers by Congressional mandate. KSBDC receives funding from and partners with higher education and economic development organizations to provide Kansas entrepreneurs with no-cost business consulting and resources for starting, maintaining and growing their businesses.

The statewide host for the KSBDC is Fort Hays State University.

For more information about the KSBDC Network, visit www.kansas.gov/ksbdc or call 877-625-7232.

About ASBDC:

The Association of Small Business Development Centers represents America's Small Business Development Center Network. America's Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations. It is the Small Business Administration's largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses.

With about 1,000 centers across the nation, America's SBDC network provided business consulting to approximately 200,000 clients, training for more than 400,000 attendees and other forms of management and technical assistance to approximately 600,000 small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs last year.

PHOTO IDENTIFICATION: Left to right: Charles "Tee" Rowe, president/CEO, Association of Small Business Development Centers; Jerry Cartwright, state director, Florida SBDC;Wally Kearns, state director, KSBDC; Stan Compton, associate state director, KSBDC (2010 State Star award recipient and 2010 ASBDC Star Performer);Antonio Doss, associate administrator, Office of Small Business Development Centers, U. S. Small Business Administration; Jim Mullery, vice president, ACT! Sales, Sage North America.