Brian Baker, executive director of the RRSBDC, will focus on financial literacy for business owners and provide tips on how they can tune up their balance sheets

Mr. Baker has served as head of the RRSBDC since May 2002. Prior to joining the RRSBDC staff, he owned and operated Vecon Substrate Systems, aFredericksburg company that provides commercial fleet and industrial services to transportation companies.

Rob Burke, formerly head of REDCO504 and now with Tidewater Business Financing Corporation, will draw on his knowledge of the U. S. Small Business Administration’s premier fixed-asset financing 504 Loan program to discuss wealth-building strategies for small business owners through commercial real estate acquisition.

Mr. Burke will demonstrate how small business owners can take advantage of the 504 Loan program to help them conserve working capital and fix occupancy expenses in acquiring commercial real estate and certain types of machinery and equipment for their growing businesses.

Joe DiStefano, Cardinal Bank’s vice president for Small Business Banking, will look at the types of loans available to small businesses, as well as discussing responsible borrowing.

Mr. DiStefano has more than 10 years of small business banking experience, and has been with Cardinal Bank since 1999. He is a graduate of George Mason University and of the Virginia Bankers Association’s School of Bank Management.

After their presentations, the panelists will open the floor for questions. A light reception will follow.

The price of admission is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for non-Chamber members.

Participants must pre-register and pre-pay. The registration deadline is noon on Friday, May 9. To register, call the Chamber office at (540)373-9400.

Gold, Silver and Bronze-level sponsorships are available for this event. Anyone interested in a sponsorship should call Sales Manager Gary Boyd, or Sales Rep. J.D. Southerland at (540)373-9400.