The Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado recently hired Ryan Pakieser, a finance major at Fort Lewis College, to work jointly with Region 9 and the Small Business Development Center.

Pakieser is a Colorado native from Lakewood, who came to Fort Lewis to play soccer after a year at Fort Hayes State in Kansas.

“I chose Fort Lewis for their soccer team, but the School of Business’ accreditation and good reputation is an unexpected bonus,” said Pakieser.

Pakieser is looking forward to putting what he has learned in the classroom into practice. His responsibilities will be market research, learning about Region 9’s loan program, and assisting new entrepreneurs .

“I hope to start my own business someday, and didn’t realize how many people have that same dream,” he said.

To reach Pakieser, call Region 9 at 970-247-9621 or the SBDC at 970-247-7009.