SBA lauds GSU biz center director
June 22, 2012 3:04PM
Updated: July 25, 2012 6:37AM
Bob Rakstang, assistant director of Governors State University’s CenterPoint Illinois Small Business Development Center, has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Illinois 2012 Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year.
Rakstang is the guiding force behind GSU CenterPoint’s highly successful Veterans Entrepreneurial Boot Camp program, which has offered training in entrepreneurial skills to more than 620 veterans in the last four years. Since 2008, CenterPoint has offered two Boot Camp events each year. Rakstang was honored earlier this month as an advocate for veteran-owned businesses at the SBA’s annual awards luncheon in Chicago.
Rakstang is a Vietnam War combat veteran who came to GSU CenterPoint after years as a successful private sector businessman. He said that, as a result of the Boot Camps, CenterPoint has 50 additional clients who are veterans. For information about CenterPoint, call (708) 534-4929 or visit www.centerpointgsu.com.
Mokena ribbon cutting Thursday
The Mokena Chamber of Commerce will take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Retriever of Chicago, 10036 W. 190th Ave. Information: email chamber@mokena.com.
