Ryan Mapes joined the Ohio State University South Centers as a Business Development Specialist for the Ohio Small Business Development Center in March of 2008. He then assumed the role of District Director in September of that year. As the director, he is responsible for maintaining grant funding through the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Ohio Department of Services Agency to ensure ongoing operations of the SBDC. He also oversees that business counseling and training is available to small businesses in the 10 county District 7 Economic Development Region in Southern Ohio. In 2014, Ryan also became the Manager of the Endeavor Center. Ryan holds a degree in business management from Fairmont State College. Prior to joining the staff at the OSU South Centers, Ryan spent 4 years as high school teacher and nearly 7 years working for a local community bank. During his time at the bank he served two years in branch management and the remaining five as a commercial lender. He also holds a Certified Business Advisor certification from the University of Toledo and is a Certified Trade and Export Counselor by the Small Business Administration