America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa has announced the appointment of Austin Strawhacker as State Director.
With over six years of experience at the Iowa SBDC, Strawhacker brings a proven track record of strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. His prior roles have uniquely positioned him to lead the statewide network, drawing on years of impact in data-driven performance, program development, and center operations that have strengthened the organization’s reach and results.
Strawhacker has held several leadership roles at the Iowa SBDC, most recently as Associate State Director since 2020. In that role, he managed operations across the statewide network of 15 regional centers and led the Federal and State Technology program, which helps connect innovative entrepreneurs with critical funding opportunities through federal research and development programs.
His prior roles include serving as Regulatory Data Coordinator, where he supported compliance, data management, and performance tracking efforts critical to the organization’s growth and impact.
Strawhacker holds bachelor’s degrees from Grand View University and a Master’s of Public Administration from Drake University, where he was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society for Public Administration. He currently chairs the Association of Small Business Development Centers Research and Data Committee and serves on the Iowa Rural Development Council. In 2022, he was recognized nationally as an ASBDC 40 Under 40 honoree.
Strawhacker succeeds Lisa Shimkat, who was recently appointed Associate Administrator of Field Operations and Acting Associate Administrator for the Office of International Trade at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Under Lisa’s leadership, Iowa SBDC made significant strides in supporting small businesses and was recognized as a national leader in the SBDC network.
As State Director, Strawhacker will oversee a strong network of business counselors serving all 99 counties in Iowa, continuing the mission to help small businesses grow and succeed.
