Logan SBDC Staff

Frank Prante – Director

Frank Prante began working at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in 1980 and was later promoted to Director of the Logan SBDC in 1985. Prante has a Bachelors of Science degree from BYU (1973) and a Masters Degree in Business Management from Northwestern Kellogg School of Management (1976).

Prante has experience managing and operating a family business in Washington State, two technology start-up companies and has provided extensive consulting services. Furthermore, Prante has served Cashe and Rich Counties as a state legislator, was the chairman of the Cache United Way, and has held board positions for Headstart, Eccles Ice Arena and Help Save Homes. With a diverse representation of business and community leadership experience, Prante has developed SBDC course materials and workshops that focus on business plans, cash flow, finance, marketing, and general business practices.

Frank is married to Cynthia Smith Prante (1972) and has three wonderful grown children.

Jason Yerka – Director (Brigham City)

Jason Yerka attended Utah State University (USU), with a major in business administration. As an undergraduate student Yerka held a number of consulting internships at various organizations including La-Z-Boy and the City of Logan.

Upon receipt of his bachelor’s degree, Yerka continued his education at USU and received his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in June of 2009. Yerka then took a position at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a business analyst and consultant. In 2010, Yerka became the Assistant Director of the Logan SBDC, and was approached by the Utah SBDC to spearhead the creation of two satellite centers–in Tooele and Brigham City. In September 2011, Yerka received his national SBDC certifications for Small Business consulting and Small Business Administration Exportation.

Yerka is extremely excited to work on economic development efforts throughout Box Elder County as Director of the new Business Resource Center (BRC) at Utah State University.

Ryan Murray – Director (Tooele)

Ryan Murray, Director of the Tooele Satellite Location for the Logan Small Business Development Center, has a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship and a Bachelors Degree in Finance–both of which were received from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Murray owned and operated a food kiosk and catering business for several years prior to beginning his career as a business consultant. While working with small businesses, Murray noticed that there was a significant demand for small business owners in need of assistance to grow operations.

Murray proceeded to be an independent business consultant and developed specialized tools to assess business feasibility and guide the business planning process. Certain tools Murray developed have since been used as part of the Westminster College MBA curriculum and the Davis County Adult Education Program, in addition to other organizations throughout the country.