FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 22, 2024
(Saipan, MP) The Northern Marianas College and the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network are proud to announce the recognition of its Lead Center’s Marketing Manager and Outreach Specialist Roman Franklin M. Tudela as one of the Nation’s forty recipients of the prestigious America’s SBDC’s 40 Under 40 awards.
The 40 Under 40 awards aim to spotlight the extraordinary contributions of individuals under 40 across America’s Small Business Development Centers who have significantly impacted their local networks and the broader business landscape.
Tudela will also be recognized as the CNMI Network’s 2024 State Star, an award determined through an internal selection process by the team members of the CNMI SBDC amongst its three Center locations in Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
Tudela started his employment with the CNMI SBDC Network in March 2023. Since then, he has been an active contributor to the Network’s success by coordinating projects such as the design of the CNMI SBDC’s website and conducting training opportunities for its clients namely the widely popular “Brick and Mortar to Click and Order”, a social media-centric training on how to market your business online using platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
Additionally, Tudela leads in the Network’s outreach efforts including training presentations for aspiring business owners, outreach presentations at partner events such as the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, collegiate events with its host institution, the Northern Marianas College, and high school engagements where he draws on his experiences as an NMC alumnus and his professional role as the Marketing Manager for the CNMI Network.
Following the announcement of Tudela’s recognition, Network Director of the CNMI SBDC Nadine C. Deleon Guerrero stated, “Roman is a stellar member of the CNMI SBDC Network team. Much can be attributed to the successes of our organization’s online and community presence through his tireless efforts and dedication to moving the SBDC’s mission forward not just as an individual, but more importantly, as a team player. We are very fortunate to have him onboard.”
Tudela is the President of the Society for Human Resources Management CNMI Chapter, and is a sitting member of the Northern Marianas College’s Foundation representing the College’s alumni as the organization’s President. Tudela received his Master in Business Administration through the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2019, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the Northern Marianas College in 2018.
Tudela mentions these accolades have made him reflect on experiences spanning his lifetime, “Growing up in my grandfather’s general store, Tudela Enterprises, in the village of San Vicente, I didn’t realize at the time that what seemed like just a regular day was actually a hands-on education in running a small business. That early experience gave me a head start in understanding the intricacies of business, and it’s been an underlying passion that has driven me through my education and career. Being honored with the America’s SBDC 40 Under 40 and State Star Award for the CNMI SBDC Network is not just about my efforts; it’s a tribute to the incredible support I’ve received from my family, friends, and colleagues. This recognition reflects the legacy of work that’s come before me, the dedication happening now, and the continued efforts we’ll make to strengthen small businesses across the CNMI.”
Every year, among a pool of accomplished young entrepreneurs, the distinguished panel of judges in America’s SBDC Millennial Interest Group select 40 remarkable winners who stand out for their exceptional business acumen, innovative thinking, and commitment to driving growth and success.
Tudela joins the ranks of distinguished colleagues from the CNMI SBDC Network, including Nadine C. Deleon Guerrero, Mercilynn Kaneshi Palec, and Benjamin “Huk” Borja, who were nationally recognized as recipients of America’s SBDC 40 Under 40 awards in 2023. The Northern Marianas College is proud to announce that another member of its team has earned a place on this prestigious list this year.
“Our Proa Tribe is incredibly proud to see Roman, a son of the Marianas, be recognized as one of SBDC’s 40 under 40,” said NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD. “This national recognition is a reaffirmation of the great outreach work he has done as SBDC’s Marketing Manager in promoting our events and programs dedicated to building up the entrepreneurial capacity of the Marianas. We’re thrilled to see more great work come out of SBDC as we continue our work of rebuilding our economy through the development of small businesses.”
America’s Small Business Development Center comprises over 1,000 local service centers. Of these centers, only 40 were selected from the nomination pool. America’s SBDC launched the 40 Under 40 Award to recognize outstanding young SBDC staff across the nation who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and commitment to the SBDC mission. The winners will be celebrated at a reception during the 45th Annual America’s SBDC Conference on Wednesday, September 11th, at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia where Tudela will be joined by the CNMI SBDC team as well as other recipients across the country.
America’s SBDC is the association that represents the nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. Hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies, and private partners, nearly 1,000 local centers provide management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their own businesses. SBDCs are funded in part by Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The CNMI SBDC Network promotes a business-friendly economic infrastructure in the community, builds entrepreneurial capacity and financial literacy within that community, and provides current and nascent small businesses with the technical assistance, counseling, training, and support they need to innovate, adapt, and grow.
The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network (CNMI SBDC) Network comprises the CNMI SBDC lead center located in Saipan, the Rota SBDC, and Tinian SBDC. CNMI SBDC Network is partially funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Northern Marianas College. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Requests for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals with at least two weeks advance notice. For arrangements, please contact your local SBDC at P.O.Box 501250 Saipan, MP 96950, Tel: (670) 237-6888, or email adelpha.magofna@marianas.edu. Services are extended to the public on a non-disciplinary basis.
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