Mousa Kassis, director of YSU’s Small Business Development Center Export Assistance Network and the YSU Ohio Export Internship Program, has been recognized with the 2025 State Star Award from the Ohio SBDC.

The accolade, awarded annually to one exemplary SBDC employee per state, celebrates outstanding contributions in innovation, collaboration, productivity and network development.

Mousa has consistently shown leadership and innovation through his efforts to engage our regional business community. He spearheaded the development of Global Insights, a quarterly publication now in its 20th edition, which offers critical tools and insights to help businesses analyze export markets and seize new opportunities.

As the only Export Assistance Network director in Ohio to earn Export Compliance Professional Certificates in International Traffic in Arms Regulations Export Administration Regulations, Mousa has revolutionized export compliance training. His workshops combine immersive, real-world scenarios with engaging materials, equipping businesses with practical strategies to optimize operations.

In 2014, Mousa introduced the Ohio Export Internship Program to YSU, making it only the second cohort in Ohio. Recognizing a regional need for export-trained talent, he championed the program’s mission to pair companies with skilled interns. Since its inception, OEIP at YSU has graduated 138 students, creating measurable export growth for local companies.

Mousa’s collaborative efforts are equally impactful. He co-founded the Ohio-Pennsylvania Stateline Export Initiative in 2015 to strengthen cross-border economic partnerships. This initiative—bringing together Ohio SBDC EAN at YSU, Northwest Commission, and Lake to River won the International Economic Development Council’s Silver Award in 2016.

One of Mousa’s most notable achievements was hosting a Vietnamese delegation of nine companies in Ohio, creating unparalleled export and import opportunities for regional businesses. This collaboration resulted from a relationship Mousa cultivated during Ohio’s 2019 Trade Mission to Vietnam.

Mousa’s dedication has earned him numerous honors, including YSU’s Catalyst Award, NASBITE’s Advancing International Trade Award, the Ohio Department’s 2024 Peer Collaboration Award and Ohio Department of Development’s Export Director Award. Under Mousa’s leadership, the YSU SBDC Export Assistance Network has helped drive $260 million in export sales over the past six years.

Since 2012, Mousa has led the Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network at YSU, guiding over 180 businesses to expand into new markets, boost export sales, and navigate compliance challenges. His efforts embody the SBDC’s mission to accelerate business success while ensuring the future competitiveness of Ohio companies.

Mousa will be recognized at the Orlando ASBDC conference this September.