2025 State Star: Mel Washington

The Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Alabama has selected Mel Washington, Regional Manager for South Alabama, as its 2025 State Star — the highest recognition for individual achievement within the national America’s SBDC network.

The State Star award honors SBDC professionals who demonstrate exemplary performance, make significant contributions to their network, and show a strong commitment to the success of small businesses. Based in Mobile, Washington provides one-on-one, confidential advising to entrepreneurs and small business owners across six counties in South Alabama. Known for his deep expertise in business strategy, finance, and operations, he has helped countless clients start, grow, and strengthen their businesses.

“Mel’s dedication to empowering entrepreneurs and his leadership in fostering economic growth make him an outstanding representative of our network,” said Bill Cummins, Executive State Director of the Alabama SBDC Network. “His work exemplifies the mission and impact of the SBDC program.”

His clients agree. “We appreciate the expertise and support of our SBDC advisor, Mel Washington. He has meet with us regularly and provided invaluable guidance and resources as we grow our 45-year-old company,” said Kathryn Smith of Wood Specialties in Daphne (Baldwin County).

“Working with Mel Washington has been an absolute game-changer for us. For the first time, we feel like someone genuinely prioritizes the success of our business, our family, and us as individuals. Every interaction with Mel leaves us inspired and empowered. Mel possesses an exceptional ability to truly listen, ask insightful questions, and guide us through critical thinking processes. His dedication to providing tailored knowledge, resources, and assistance has been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals effectively and efficiently. I eagerly anticipate each meeting with Mel, knowing that his expertise is not only geared towards our business development but also towards our personal growth. We couldn’t be more grateful for his support and guidance on this journey!” said Carrie Williams of Southern Target in Saraland (Mobile County).

Washington was recognized, along with State Star recipients from across the country, at the America’s SBDC Professional Development Event in Orlando in September.

November 2025: 
It is with great sadness that we must share that Mel passed away over Thanksgiving weekend.  Melvin Washington Obituary – Mobile, AL
He was an outstanding member of the SBDC family and will be greatly missed.  In lieu of flowers, his family has suggested a donation to either Prichard Preparatory School (where Mel served as Treasury and Past Chair) or the Mobile Ballet.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Mel served as Executive Director & CEO of Project Enterprise, a micro-lending organization supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in under-resourced communities in New York City.

Mr. Washington holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, a Master’s in Business Administration from New York University and completed the Administration Executive Education Program at Wharton School of Business. He has held executive level positions in Finance, Operations, and Strategy and Planning in the financial services and telecommunications sectors. His career includes successful stints at top tier firms including AT&T, Salomon Brothers, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, and Citibank.

Mr. Washington has demonstrated a strong commitment to community and economic development throughout his career and has served on the Boards of several organizations in Mobile and the New York City Area. He is the former Chairman and current member of the Board of Directors for Prichard Preparatory School; member of the Community Development Advisory Council for Hancock Whitney Bank; member of the Board of Directors for Innovation Portal; member of the Advisory Board for the Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at USA; member of the Board of Directors for The Mobile Ballet; former member of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama; former Vice President of the Board of Mobile Baykeeper; and formerly on the Boards of LiftFund in Austin Texas, and the History Museum of Mobile.

Mr. Washington is also active in several entrepreneur programs at the University of South Alabama: Teaching Team Member for the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps); Minority Business Accelerator Program; and Minority Business Development Program. In addition, he is an Expert in Residence at Innovation Portal, a non-profit incubator and innovation hub accelerating startup growth in Southwest Alabama and the central Gulf Coast.

About the Alabama SBDC

The Alabama SBDC offers no-cost, confidential consulting and business education to new and existing businesses through 10 centers across the state. In 2024, the SBDC served 3,000 clients and trained over 4,700 individuals, resulting in $98.7 million in capital investment, 241 new business starts and 924 new jobs.

The Alabama SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is hosted by UA’s Office for Research and Economic Development. The Alabama SBDC is nationally accredited by the America’s SBDC national association, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States. Learn more at  www.americassbdc.org.