March 20, 2006

Roberts hired as Director of Business, Industry, and Entrepreneurship

As part of a joint partnership between Cowley College and Home National Bank, Lisa Roberts has been hired as the Director of Business, Industry, and Entrepreneurship.

The position provides leadership and management for business and industry training for the college and development of a business incubator for Cowley County. The incubator provides any one with small business ideas a place where they can come for support.

Roberts will meet with business industry leaders in Cowley County to discuss what training needs they may have, and also see what help entrepreneurs need to get their idea developed into a small business.

“We are delighted to have the support of Home National Bank in developing a position that we think will have the greatest chance of creating economic development for Cowley County,” Cowley College President Dr. Pat McAtee said.

Roberts will be developing an entrepreneurship curriculum for Cowley College that will articulate with the high schools and other four-year colleges such as Wichita State University and Southwestern College.

Roberts runs her own business called FreshWater Marketing Inc. in Derby. The business specializes in user-friendly market research to start up and existing small businesses. The company is responsible for all aspects of owning and operating a business including comprehensive financial, marketing and sales management.

She also provided contract consulting work through Wichita State University’s Small Business Development Center including developing workshop curriculum, participating in strategic planning of the center as well as providing one-on-one consulting services for start-up and existing business clients.

Prior to serving as the President for FreshWater Marketing Inc., Roberts served as a Marketing Data Analyst at the Wichita Eagle from 1996-2003. She received her degree in marketing and communications from the University of Oklahoma.