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40 Under 40: Heather Wright

heather wright, alabama SBDC, university of alabama, 40 under 40Heather Wright, regional manager / finance specialist for the Alabama SBDC, was selected by the America’s SBDC national association as the winner of its Top 40 Under 40 designation from among small business advisors across the country. Forty individuals were selected for their exceptional business acumen, innovative thinking and commitment to driving growth and success.

Heather Wright, 40 under 40, Tee Rowe, America's SBDC, Michael Brooks, Alabama SBDC“Heather is an economic development force to be reckoned with.  She passionately pursues and evaluates every possible financing option and incentive that meets the needs of her clients and has earned the trust and respect of her peers throughout the state,” says Michael Brooks, associate state director of the Alabama SBDC.

Her current pipeline of client finance projects ranges from a $40 thousand deal for a coffee bar, to a $16 million expansion for an information services company, to a $40 million capital raise for AI-based environmental software company doing business internationally.

Heather Wright, 40 under 40, Bill Cummins, Alabama SBDCWright has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Alabama. She joined the SBDC in 2016, first as business advisor in Huntsville, and then as a regional manager and finance specialist serving all of Alabama – but with a focus on north Alabama.

She was recognized along with her peers at the America’s SBDC conference in Atlanta in September 2024.

About the Alabama SBDC

The Alabama SBDC offers no-cost, confidential consulting and business education to new and existing businesses through 10 centers across the state. In 2023, the SBDC served 2,900 clients and trained over 4,700 individuals, resulting in $82.7 million in capital investment, 231 new business starts and 864 new jobs.  www.ASBDC.org or  sbdc.ua.edu

The Alabama SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is hosted by UA’s Office for Research and Economic Development. The Alabama SBDC is nationally accredited by the America’s SBDC national association, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States. Learn more at  www.americassbdc.org.

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