Carrie Jackson Named Director of Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center

Carrie Jackson has been appointed director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas, succeeding Mary Beth Brooks. Jackson brings more than 20 years of business experience to the role.

Jackson joined the ASBTDC as a business consultant in January 2025. She brings 14 years of experience at the U of A in accounting, finance and compliance roles, along with additional experience working with small businesses in accounting, finance and human resources. A graduate of the U of A, she holds a Master of Business Administration from the Sam M. Walton College of Business, as well as an accounting degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia, Missouri. Jackson also holds an active CPA license in the state of Arkansas.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center serves entrepreneurs at every stage of business development, offering expertise in business planning, financial analysis, access to capital, market research and growth strategy. All ASBTDC services are provided at no cost and are available to the public.

In 2025, the ASBTDC, UA:

• Assisted 647 clients
• Helped launch 51 new businesses
• Supported 81 capital transactions
• Secured a total of $32,797,892 in funding for Arkansas entrepreneurs

"The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a nonprofit funded entirely by grants and gifts, so our amazing accomplishments could not happen without support from our partners," Jackson said. "Thank you to the University of Arkansas, the Sam M. Walton College of Business, the Collaborative in Bentonville, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Lead Center of the ASBTDC at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, the National Science Foundation and all of our grant sponsors and donors for supporting our success."

Brooks, director of ASBTDC, UA for eight years, will lead Tech + Arkansas, a childcare initiative funded by a grant from the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group. Tech + Arkansas provides childcare providers in eligible Arkansas counties with coaching and technology training to improve enrollment, increase revenue and automate daily operations.

Under Brooks' leadership, the ASBTDC, UA advised 5309 clients, assisted with 337 new business starts, supported 916 capital transactions and secured capital funding in excess of $180 million for Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurs.

About the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) is a statewide economic development program that provides free, confidential consulting to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through a network of centers hosted by institutions of higher education across Arkansas, the ASBTDC helps businesses start, grow, and thrive by offering guidance in business planning, financial management, innovation, and access to capital. The ASBTDC is funded through grants and partnerships with organizations including the U.S. Small Business Administration, the University of Arkansas, and other public and private partners.

SBA Disclaimer: Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

This program is supported by federal funding. Full disclosures are available at tinyurl.com/4wdus3tf.