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The purpose of Small Business Week is to recognize the contributions that small businesses have made to our nation’s economy. Local small business owners will be recognized at these activities for their outstanding contributions in our community.

For more information, please contact the SBDC at FAMU by calling (850) 599-3407.

850-599-3407
christopher.workman@famu.edu

Chris is a CPA with over twenty years of experience as a small business owner. He also holds an MBA, is licensed as a life, health, and variable annuity agent in Florida, and is a Certified Business Anlayst. His areas of specialization include: general business management, financial systems, and taxation.

850-599-3407
barbara.boles@famu.edu

Barbara Boles, Senior Secretary has been employed at the Small Business Development Center at Florida A&M University for several years. She graduated from Thomas Technical Institute in Thomasville, Georgia with dual Diplomas in Business and Office Technology and Information Processing Specialist Specialization.

850-599-3407
keith.bowers@famu.edu

Keith Bowers serves as Director of the Institute on Urban Policy and Commerce, Small Business Development Center at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and the Construction Management Development Program/Bond Guarantee Program. He responsibly manages and leads the university’s efforts as an urban Florida extension service for collecting, evaluating and disseminating key empirical data critical to determining the equitable allocation and stewardship of federal, state and local financial resources used to improve the quality of life for Florida residents in urban communities.Additionally, he provides managerial leadership for the institute’s operations as a clearinghouse for nonpartisan research on socio-economic problems, advocacy for the development of solutions to these problems, management and technical assistance to small business firms to assist in stabilizing the economy, developing jobs in the private sector and fostering the survival of the free enterprise system. Mr. Bowers is also founder and President/Chief Executive Officer of The Bowers Group, LLC that provides extensive, high quality financial consulting to corporate entities, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations and government agencies.

Keith Bowers has also served the Florida Housing Finance Corporation as Single Family Administrator and Planning Manager. He structured and managed Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bond Programs with an average annual portfolio in excess of $180 million. In addition, he coordinated training and marketing activities among a network of more than 60 lenders and builders throughout Florida, administered the HUD HOME Homeownership Program which provided over $8 million in direct loans to developers of affordable housing, managed down payment and purchase assistance programs with a $15 million annual budget, and directed HUD sponsored counseling and outreach programs implemented in major Florida cities.

Mr. Bowers previously served as Community Re-Investment Act Officer for Peoples First Community Bank where he directed the re-investment activities of 20 branch offices with an asset base of more than $600 million, developed and implemented the institution’s Affordable Housing Program and directed an $18 million Federal Small Business Lending department. He currently has more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry providing management and leadership where his analytical skills, business acumen and managerial knowledge have assisted the profitability objectives of numerous establishments and organizations.

Keith has proudly served in the United States Army Reserves as Captain, Adjutant General of the Joint Detention Operations Group in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and also Captain, Commander of US Army Postal Operations in Bosnia. His community activities and affiliations include numerous outreach and community service efforts in the Tallahassee, Florida area. Keith currently serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Tallahassee Enterprise Zone, Board of Directors of the Northwest Florida Black Business Investment Board, and is a Junior Achievement Volunteer. He is married to Valerie Bowers and they have a son, Wynton.

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