By Cody Mello-Klein | cmelloklein@alextimes.com

After 25 years of championing small businesses, Bill Reagan announced that, effective Jan. 31, 2022, he will be retiring as the executive director of the Alexandria Small Business Development Center.

Reagan founded the SBDC in 1996 and has worked to strengthen the city’s small business culture through free business counseling and educational opportunities for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs alike.

“I look back with a sense of pride and accomplishment on the 25 years I’ve been privileged to lead the Alexandria Small Business Development Center,” Reagan said in a news release. “I believe this is the ideal juncture for me to step aside, and [I] look forward to finding new ways to support Alexandria’s small business community in my next chapter.”

Reagan is a long-time Alexandrian and has lived in the city for more than 30 years. This year, he was named an Alexandria Living Legend for his work on the SBDC, as well as his service on many of the city’s boards and commissions. He was also an inaugural member of The Chamber ALX’s Leadership Alexandria program.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be engaged for 25 years with remarkable business owners who overcome daily obstacles to serve their customers, support their employees, grow their businesses and enrich Alexandria’s character and economy,” Reagan said in the release.