How do your colleagues describe you?
“He brings entrepreneurial experience and enthusiasm to conversations with small business owners. Jerry is approachable and knowledgeable about business operations and strategic planning.”
Why do you do what you do?
“I believe that small businesses are the heart and soul of communities; particularly small and rural communities. My career has always included a mix of education along with business management. Over the past 25 years I have observed that people learn and become successful faster when taught or mentored by a coach. I love helping people find success in their work and their lives.”
Bio:
Jerry Schulz serves as the Director of the Small Business Development Center at Central Oregon Community College. He has extensive entrepreneurial and business management experience. In 1984, Jerry established a private technology school in the San Francisco Bay area. Over the course of 20 years, he grew the school to include four campuses with more than 50 faculty and staff serving approximately 10,000 students annually. He was directly involved with operations, teaching and employee development.
After selling his business venture, Jerry joined COCC in 2010 and worked as Director of Continuing Education, providing workforce development and personal enrichment classes throughout Central Oregon. Jerry was promoted to Dean of Extended Learning before taking on his current position as SBDC Director in 2018.