After an extensive search and recruitment process, the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino has announced the appointment of Paul Nolta as the new center director for the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program, effective Jan.1.

Nolta will oversee the operations of the Inland Empire SBDC, which is a part of the Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC Network that provides services to aspiring entrepreneurs and established small businesses within Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Nolta has been a part of the Inland Empire SBDC program since 2005, and served as assistant director from 2010 to May 2020. Since May 2020, he served as the interim director for the program and also serves on the leadership team for the IECE.

“I can think of no one more qualified to lead the Inland Empire SBDC, especially during this time of uncertainty,” said Mike Stull, director of the IECE. “He brings impressive professional experience to the position along with strong leadership, vision and a passion for assisting current and aspiring entrepreneurs.”

Nolta is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a graduate of San Francisco State University. He has strong leadership and tactical skills, as well as an extensive background in financial analysis and business planning. Nolta is passionate about serving the Inland Empire business communities. Working in the area, he and his family have made it their home for the last 20 years, and he takes great pride in the numerous successes of local business expansions and startups in the region. 

“I look forward to helping our small business community in Riverside and San Bernardino counties,” said Nolta. “Former Inland Empire SBDC Director Vincent McCoy established a strong foundation and I aim to expand on this to improve outreach services to prospective and existing small businesses.” 

The Inland Empire SBDC is hosted by the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University, San Bernardino and provides small businesses and entrepreneurs in Riverside and San Bernardino counties with business assistance services from a variety of locations throughout the Inland Empire for over 20 years. The Inland Empire SBDC’s mission is “to provide the Inland Empire small business community we serve with affordable access to quality consulting, powerful training and key resources that allow people to achieve their dreams,” said Nolta.

About the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE)

Established in 1999, the IECE is the Inland Empire’s leading organization that supports and celebrates entrepreneurs and small business owners by delivering innovative programs and educational resources. IECE has served more than 85,000 individuals in the community through programs such as the Inland Empire SBDC, Women’s Business Center (WBC) and State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Based at the Jack H. Brown College of Business & Public Administration at CSUSB, IECE coordinates experiential learning and student support programs for the CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship (both San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses). 

IECE provides a wide range of educational and entrepreneurial training programs and administers the experiential learning for students at Cal State San Bernardino including the Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition and the Catalyst Business Accelerator. IECE also delivers the region’s largest annual business event, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards, which recognizes the region’s leading entrepreneurs. To learn more about IECE and all of the programs available visit, entre.csusb.edu.