By:Nicole Falco
Narciso, a veterans business advisor for the Small Business Development Center at Farmingdale State University, received the 2004 State Star for Excellence in Business Advisement award. The State Star award recognizes outstanding achievement in high quality business counseling and distinguished, long-term service in terms of economic development. Narciso, along with one winner from each state, received the honor at the Association of Small Business Development Centers national convention in New Orleans. He was chosen from a field of 200 nominees from across New York state.
"[The award] is a token of appreciation for what I've done," Narciso said. "I was not shootig for the award. I was shootig for helping people out. It's really a joy to see people come in here and have an idea, and see them be able to carry it out to fruition. It's great to feel that you're a part of that."
During the ten years he has worked for the Small Business Development Center, first at Kingborough College in Brooklyn and most recently at Farmingdale University, Narciso's clients have accounted for more than $52 million in economic impact for Long Island's small business sector, and his work has contributed to the creation and retention of more than 2,700 jobs.
During the last five years, Narciso has focused his efforts on veterans. In 1999, before the inception of the Veterans Business Outreach Program, a pilot program made possible through a federal grant, the Farmingdale SBDC worked with 65 veterans, recording an $88,000 impact. The impact has grown steadily each year. In 2003, the Farmingdale SBDC reported an $855,000 economic impact. Narciso, one of six veterans business advisors in New York, hopes the grant is renewed this year, so that the outreach program can continue.
However, he said that not enough veterans know that this free service exists. Narciso is available to answer veterans questions about starting a business and help them write business proposals, obtain loans and learn how their business can be awarded government contracts.
Narciso was raised in Franklin Square and graduated from Valley Stream Central High School in 1956. In high school, Narciso played football and baseball, was a member of the wrestling team and served as vice president of his senior class. After graduating from Rutgers University, he joined the Navy. After retiring from the Navy in 1993, Narciso returned to Valley Stream. He met his second wife, Gail, at his 35th high school reunion. Narciso has five children and four grandchildren.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
