September 18, 2025
After a comprehensive search, the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council (HREDC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Miller as Business Counselor. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge in varying sectors to the SBDC position. Previously Chris started and operated small businesses of his own. He previously served as an area high school agribusiness management instructor, adjunct ag sales and marketing instructor for John Wood Community College, and as a district sales manager in the seed industry. Additional experience includes working on a STEM project with Microsoft. Chris began work with HREDC on Sept. 2, 2025.
Chris brings the right mix of real-world business ownership, teaching experience, and industry expertise to this role,” said Maria Kuhns, Executive Director of HREDC. “As we continue to see strong demand for SBDC services, Chris will play a vital part in helping businesses start, grow, and thrive.”
The position is partially funded with a 50/50 grant from the University of Missouri Extension, funded in part through the U.S. Small Business Administration, to support Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in Missouri. HREDC provides SBDC services to a seven-county region. Chris will direct HREDC’s Ignite Program and lead the organization’s outreach to early and second-stage companies.
Chris shared HREDC’s enthusiasm for the position. “I want to help grow Hannibal and Northeast Missouri Region, and I am excited to be part of an organization that will allow me the opportunity to use my experience and skills to support and grow businesses in the region.”
Chris will hit the ground running onboarding with the Missouri SBDC network, meeting with stakeholders in the seven-county SBDC service territory and learning more about the HREDC region.
HREDC works to promote financial investment in Hannibal, Palmyra and Marion and Ralls Counties. For more information on the organization, please visit their website at www.hredc.com.
About the Missouri SBDC
The Missouri SBDC helps business owners make confident decisions to start, grow, and sell their businesses. Services are provided to all Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis in the form of training events and one-to-one counseling by appointment. The Missouri SBDC is a program funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is a partner of the University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program.
