Head of UTPB business development center resigns

Enrique Romero, the regional director of the Small Business Development Center at UTPB, resigned abruptly from his post on Wednesday.

Romero declined to comment about the reason he decided to leave his post after more than eight years at the SBDC and became emotional in a brief interview. He lauded his staff and touted work of the organization in recent years.

“I am proud of the impact we have made in this community,” Romero said. “It’s an important resource in our community, and it has to continue.”

The SBDC, which receives some of its funding from the City of Odessa, offers free assistance to people starting a business for the first time, pursuing a new venture or seeking to expand the company they have. Romero said during his tenure, the organization helped more than 315 new businesses open, creating about 840 new jobs and representing tens of millions of dollars worth of investments. Romero was part of a staff of five.

“I just want to say that I’m going to move in a different direction in my life, and I’ve enjoyed the last eight and half years at the Small Business Development Center,” Romero said.