UT Tyler-Longview SBDC Adviser Receives State Recognition

July 18, 2025 | Hannah Buchanan

Virgel Conner, a senior business adviser at The University of Texas at Tyler – Longview Small Business Development Center, received the 2025 North Texas SBDC Network’s “State Star” Award.

The annual award recognizes exemplary performance by Texas business advisers in the SBDC program. Conner will be honored at the national SBDC conference in September.

“This is the highest honor a SBDC business adviser can receive, and Virgel is so deserving. His passion, innovative spirit and tireless commitment have helped countless entrepreneurs turn their dreams into thriving realities,” said Day Shelmire, center director. “The announcement goes hand in hand with our UT Tyler-hosted center being named SBDC of the Year in 2024, and two of our clients being recognized this year by the US Small Business Administration.”

Conner holds more than 21 years of experience in the program. He has served small businesses across three North Texas SBDC field centers, most recently joining the UT Tyler – Longview SBDC in 2019.

The UT Tyler – Longview SBDC provides expert advice and consulting services to small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them start and grow successful businesses in Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Upshur and Rusk Counties. To learn more, email Shelmire at dshelmire@uttyler.edu, or visit: uttyler-longviewsbdc.org.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.