Central Valley Business Workshop
Kurt Clark
Kurt Clark, Director Alliance Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Born in Oakdale CA., Kurt spent most of his life growing up on his family’s farming and cattle ranch in the foothills of eastern Stanislaus County. After graduating from Oakdale High School and attending Modesto Junior College for 3 semesters, he decided to take a “brief” break and went to work for a local grocery chain, a short-term job that turned into a 26-year career where he managed stores for several local chains.
During his grocery career, Kurt and his wife also owned and operated a daycare center for 12 years and in his “spare” time Kurt own and operated another small seasonal business, Foothill Firewood for 6 years. In 1994, Kurt was elected to the Oakdale city council and served as vice-mayor in 97-98. He also served as a member of the city’s planning commission from 1998-2001.
A few years into his grocery career, he returned to MJC taking classes at night and in 1990 he graduated with an A.A. degree in business. In 1994, he graduated from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Ca with a B.A. in Management and in 1999 completed a Master of Public Administration degree from CSU Stanislaus.
After receiving his MPA he started a professional consulting firm with two other educators that specialized in Organizational Development for small to mid-sized businesses and government. At the same time he began teaching part-time at several community colleges and became a part-time business consultant for the local SBDC.
In October 2003, he left the grocery industry and released his interest in the consulting firm to become the full-time Director of the Alliance SBDC, a position he continues to hold today. Kurt manages daily operations for the Alliance SBDC’s 4-county service area but, also serves as the SBDC’s chief business planning writing expert and loan packager.
Kurt continues to teach part-time as an adjunct faculty member at Modesto Junior College, is the Chief Administrative Officer of his church and loves to “recharge” by backpacking and fishing in the Sierras whenever he gets a chance.
During his grocery career, Kurt and his wife also owned and operated a daycare center for 12 years and in his “spare” time Kurt own and operated another small seasonal business, Foothill Firewood for 6 years. In 1994, Kurt was elected to the Oakdale city council and served as vice-mayor in 97-98. He also served as a member of the city’s planning commission from 1998-2001.
A few years into his grocery career, he returned to MJC taking classes at night and in 1990 he graduated with an A.A. degree in business. In 1994, he graduated from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Ca with a B.A. in Management and in 1999 completed a Master of Public Administration degree from CSU Stanislaus.
After receiving his MPA he started a professional consulting firm with two other educators that specialized in Organizational Development for small to mid-sized businesses and government. At the same time he began teaching part-time at several community colleges and became a part-time business consultant for the local SBDC.
In October 2003, he left the grocery industry and released his interest in the consulting firm to become the full-time Director of the Alliance SBDC, a position he continues to hold today. Kurt manages daily operations for the Alliance SBDC’s 4-county service area but, also serves as the SBDC’s chief business planning writing expert and loan packager.
Kurt continues to teach part-time as an adjunct faculty member at Modesto Junior College, is the Chief Administrative Officer of his church and loves to “recharge” by backpacking and fishing in the Sierras whenever he gets a chance.
