Vicky Valdez
Small Business Manager
City of Austin’s Small Business Development Program
When Vicky Valdez, manager of the City of Austin’s Small Business Development Program (SBDP) speaks to area entrepreneurs, it is with the voice of experience and authority. SBDP is a city-funded program that provides resources to help aspiring entrepreneurs realize their dreams and to help existing small business owners to expand and further develop their businesses.
Valdez joined the SBDP in March 2001 after working in the City’s Planning Department for 2 years. Since joining SBDP, she has helped develop and manage: the Online Plan Room, the Business Solutions Center, the Development Information Resources program, BizOpen for businesses operating in a physical location, and most recently, the Family Business Loan Program. Also during her tenure, SBDP has been recognized with numerous local, state, national and even international awards. During Fiscal Year 2013 SBDP won both gold and bronze awards from the International Economic Development Council and three national awards. Vicky has received personal leadership awards as well, most recently the 2013 Blazing Star from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas. The award was created to celebrate dynamic women on the success fast track who have blazed their own unique professional paths, women whose independence, imagination, style and drive set them apart from the crowd.
Prior to her work at the City, Valdez was Deputy Director for a local non-profit agency and Lead Project Manager for all of its construction projects. She has more then 15 years of commercial and residential construction experience and was a successful small business owner for six years.
Valdez has an undergraduate degree in engineering from Texas A&M University at Kingsville and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also certified to deliver Kauffman FastTrac Growth Ventures training to small businesses to help them achieve their potential.
5/12/14