University News

Friederichs Appointed Director of Illinois SBDC

June 21, 2023

Share Printer friendly version

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University, the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs (IIRA) and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have named Ann Friederichs, director of the Illinois SBDC WIU. She succeeds James Boyd who retired March 2023.

Friederichs has been assistant director of the Illinois SBDC at WIU since March 2022. She began working at WIU in May 2017 as an Illinois SBDC business advisor.

"We are thrilled Ann has agreed to take over SBDC operations on both WIU campuses," said IIRA Director and WIU Dean of Innovation and Economic Development Chris Merrett. "She has a great business background and mentoring skills that will help launch new businesses in our region."

Prior to coming to WIU, Friederichs was director of the Davenport Schools Foundation and owned her own business for 25 years.

"I look forward to continuing to be an integral part of WIU and the IIRA servicing area entrepreneurs and business owners in a 22-county area," said Friederichs. "The Illinois SBDC WIU specializes in confidential, no cost, one-on-one business advising. I have a passion for small business and working in collaboration with area stakeholders and resources."

A graduate of Colorado State University, with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Friederichs is a licensed business advisor and continues to hold her Iowa P/C Insurance License and CIC designation. She currently farms with her husband.

The Illinois SBDC at WIU was established in 1989, helping area entrepreneurs and small business owners start, grow, accelerate and, when ready, transition out of business. The Illinois SBDC is funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and WIU.

For more information on the Illinois SBDC, visit wiusbdc.org.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing