Kindred leads a national organization that offers confidential mentoring at no charge and reasonably priced training programs -- focused on the unique needs of entrepreneurs. SCORE operates nationwide with 389 offices and hundreds of branches in addition to online services at www.score.org and www.score.org/women.

Kindred, an MBA, has led organizations in the Los Angeles area as CFO, president and CEO. He acquired, owned and operated a moving and storage company, which he grew significantly in scope and later sold in order to focus on the growing industries of self-storage and off-site business records management. Kindred has entrepreneurial experience and a passion for excellence -- acquired during his studies with legendary management expert Peter F. Drucker.

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, "Doug Kindred has an outstanding business, finance and management background. He is a champion for the role of small business in our economy, particularly during an economic downturn." Yancey adds, "Doug supports providing more resources and tools for entrepreneurs. He has a particular focus on making more resources available to women entrepreneurs, who make up nearly half of all SCORE clients. His experience as a SCORE mentor and leader will help SCORE expand services to entrepreneurs and to recruit volunteers."

During 20 years as a successful entrepreneur, Kindred started two businesses and acquired two more. He has been involved in strategic planning and financial management as a board director of both business and nonprofit organizations. Kindred is now retired and dedicates his time to serving on boards that focus on lifelong learning and higher education, including the Foundation Board of Concordia University in Portland, Ore. He is a past member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) and current member of the World President's Organization (WPO).

Kindred holds an Advanced Executive MBA from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, Calif. He earned his MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, Calif. Earlier, he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, Calif.

Kindred joined SCORE as a volunteer in 1994. He strongly believes in SCORE's mission of service, and he has provided leadership at all levels of the organization. During his tenure with SCORE, he served as chapter chair, then district director, at the SCORE office in Spokane, Wash. Kindred focused on helping small businesses succeed throughout Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington.

SCORE counseling is confidential and offered to entrepreneurs at no charge. The volunteers who offer their business expertise are working and retired small business owners and corporate executives. Workshops covering small business issues are organized by local offices, which charge a small fee for the training sessions. SCORE also offers nearly 40 online workshops for free at www.score.org.

Since 1964, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" has helped more than 8 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE on the Web at www.score.org or www.score.org/women.

Source: SCORE Association