WT Enterprise Center Names New Managing Director

Contact: Gina Woodward, 806-651-5151, gwoodward@wtamu.edu

AMARILLO, Texas — Brian Enevoldsen has been named managing director of the WT Enterprise Center.

A Texas Panhandle native, Enevoldsen previously served as WTEC’s program manager, providing oversight of WTEC’s 31,000 square-foot incubator and multiple programs, including Amarillo EnterPrize Challenge, commercialization, micro-loan packaging and client coaching.

In his new role, he will focus on partnerships with local, state, federal, and non-profit organizations that together build a robust ecosystem supporting entrepreneurship across the entire Texas Panhandle. WTEC and its sister department, America’s SBDC at WTAMU, will continue to provide economic development outreach on behalf of West Texas A&M University to local businesses including joint coaching and consulting, community programs, and training.

“Our staff at WTEC and SBDC live by a single motto, ‘Serve Others,’ and Brian is the embodiment of those words,” said Dr. Amjad Abdullat, dean of WT’s Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business. “Through his leadership, WTEC will continue to evolve to serve entrepreneurs and business owners as they are, where they are.”

Enevoldsen said he’s excited about the new opportunity to serve his home region.

“The WTEC and SBDC will continue to be places where we encourage entrepreneurship and support those building our regional economy,” Enevoldsen said. “We believe our region is in store for incredible things, and we stand eager to play our part in making the Panhandle the best place to own and scale a business.”

Enevoldsen was selected by a committee of area stakeholders in economic development and will work alongside each of them to support their own strategic plans and outreach.

Gina Woodward, regional director of the SBDC at WTAMU, has served as interim WTEC director since December 2021. She will continue with her SBDC duties, working closely with Enevoldsen.

In 2023, WTEC will launch new initiatives currently being developed with input from clients, alumni and community members. Roundtable dates and online request for additional community input will be posted on WTEC’s social media, facebook.com/wtenterprisecenter.

WT is committed to serving the region and well beyond with successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who are empowered to lead others. Partnering and retaining community businesses to improve the quality of life in the Panhandle and beyond is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the five-year campaign — which publicly launched Sept. 23 — has raised about $110 million.

About WT Enterprise Center

The WT Enterprise Center is a department of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business at West Texas A&M University. WTEC provides panhandle entrepreneurs business coaching, access to facilities, access to capital, and additional trainings and programs to assist them in scaling their companies. WTEC works side-by-side with its sister department, America’s SBDC at WTAMU to support economic development throughout the Texas Panhandle. WTEC also provides opportunities for College of Business students to intern in local businesses, where they learn first-hand about the hard work and dedication entrepreneurs must have to be successful.

To learn more about the WT Enterprise Center, visit wtenterprisecenter.com, email info@wtenterprisecenter.com, or call 806-651-8500.

About the WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business

The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business is accredited at both the undergraduate and graduate level by the AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is the highest accrediting body for business colleges in the world. The Computer Information Systems (CIS) program in the Engler College of Business is accredited by ABET in the area of computing accreditation. Fewer than 40 business schools hold both AACSB and ABET accreditation. ABET accreditation is the highest standard for computing proof that a collegiate program has met standards essential to produce graduates ready to enter the critical fields of applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. The COB has reach national accolades with programs ranked in the top 50 Best Online MBA by eight different national programs including U.S. News & World Report and Fortune. Recently the COB was recognized as #19 Best Online MBA Program by The Princeton Review and #24 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report. To find out more about the Engler College of Business, visit wtamu.edu/cob or call 806-651-2530.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

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