Dave Robertson has been named director of the Center for Business and Professional Development at the The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. The position was open following the retirement of Pat Eller.
As director, Robertson will work to develop and promote current and future programs of the center, in addition to supervising six instructors, two staff and numerous adjunct faculty. Robertson also continues to serve as the director of the Family Enterprise Center, a business outreach program at UAFS.
The Center for Business and Professional Development provides development and training opportunities for companies across the state in areas including business skills, finance, human resources and management. The CBPD also offers a workforce leadership program, training for commercial truck drivers and business consulting.
Robertson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, and earned a master’s in business administration from Webster University. He is a certified professional accountant with more than 25 years of experience working with local business and industry leaders in the accounting and auditing fields.
Robertson said he will continue to raise awareness about the CBPD, which has served nearly 300 companies, and the services it offers.
“I want to make sure that everyone is aware of this fabulous resource that we have for customized training,” he said. “Part of the mission of UAFS is economic development, and we’re trying to do everything we can to improve what is already a great workforce.”
Robertson said he plans to set up a collaborative relationship between the FEC and CBPD.
“What I want people to know is that the service level of the FEC won’t decrease but will actually improve,” he said. “The additional resources of the CBPD create many collaborative opportunities between the two centers.”