AUBURN – Gregory A. Gould from Manchester has received the Women in Business Advocate 2004 award from the Maine office of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Gould, a certified business counselor for the Maine Small Business Development Centers, was commended for his work this past year counseling 159 women entrepreneurs, helping to launch 39 new women-owned businesses, and supporting $3.3 million in capital formation for women.

Gould, who works at the Maine SBDC Auburn office, received the honor at the SBA’s May 25 annual Awards Celebration in Bangor.

“I’m honored and I’m thrilled,” said Gould of the award. “It is a privilege to be able to help people and to assist in making their dreams come true.”

Gould has worked for Maine SBDC for almost three years. He has 12 years’ experience working in business in Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts and Rhode Island in marketing, sales and management. For three years, he was general sales manager for his family’s automobile dealership in Waterville.

Gould has a master’s degree of business administration and a bachelor of science degree in marketing from the University of Rhode Island. He has extensive experience in strategic planning and employee management.