Local Entrepreneur Receives Small Business Association Award

PARKERSBURG, Va. (WTAP) -Mike Williams, president of technology company iTech, recently received the “Emerging Leaders Award” from the US Small Business Association. But, he’s hardly “emerging” – he’s been in business for 20 years.

“All of the technologies we support for our customers, be it printing, security systems and IT,” said Williams.

“I think Parkersburg lacks the technological resources to help us take it to that next level. A lot of people say I have to go to Columbus or Pittsburgh because no one locally can do it, so there’s a void in the area for that and we’re tapping to fill that void.

Williams started iTech in 2001, when he was the only employee. Today, his company has 30 employees. Williams says he is proud not only to receive the SBA award, but also to support his employees.

“I want you to feel like you own the business. You make decisions. We can have a discussion on this decision, but at the same time, I want you to take ownership of it. If you owned the business, is that how you would have handled this situation? “

Williams is also trying to support downtown PKB by buying, restoring and working in a historic downtown building.

“Three years ago, everything was open downtown. Over the past three years, it has been tough. And sometimes organizations make an investment to come downtown because we don’t want our downtown to die, ”Williams said.

Williams said the building was constructed in 1896 and was at one time a theater before it became the Parkersburg Office Supply Building. Williams said he decided to keep the old Parkersburg office supply signs on the building in order to preserve the building’s history.

And while he preserves history, he looks to the future.

“We have about 30 people working in this building, I expect us to be around 50 employees and I hope to double our income in the next two to three years.”

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