A man who’s worked as both a business coach and owner of a global consulting firm has been hired as the director of the Small Business Development Center in Grand Junction.

Jeff Engell is scheduled to start working at the center on May 2. He succeeds Julie Morey, who served as director nearly 30 years.

“Small business is what makes Colorado a great place to live. Helping to make those businesses economically viable is my most important mission,” Engell said.

He said he hopes to better connect SBDC programs to the region as well as increase awareness of what’s offered at the center.

In Colorado, a network of 14 full-time SBDCs and more than 50 part-time satellite offices are located across the state. The centers offer a range of services, including free and low-cost counseling and instruction on all aspects of starting and growing businesses.

In Grand Junction, the SBDC is located on the same campus as the Business Incubator Center.

Engell will come to the Grand Junction SBDC from the East Colorado SBDC in Greeley, where he worked as a small business coach and managed an average of 60 clients.

He also served more than 10 years as owner and operator of a global consulting firm, working with governments and businesses on economic development. He also brings to his latest position experience in investment banking and real estate.

He holds a masters of economics degree from Lund University in Sweden and bachelor’s of business administration degree from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Engell said he enjoys helping entrepreneurs, especially first-generation or underserved community business owners pursuing the American dream. “They’re uncertain of their needs, but usually need help with financing. They know they don’t have all the answers, and often need help discovering the questions.”

Engell also said he’s eager to move to Western Colorado and enjoy hiking, biking and fishing. “I  look forward  to exploring what the Western Slope has to offer and escaping the congestion and population of the Front Range. Out here, I can still find wild and untouched areas in the mountains, canyons and deserts.”

The Grand Junction Small Business Development Center is located at the Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way. For more information about programs and services, call 243-5242 or visit https://grandjunctionsbdc.org.