Can't run database utility, SQL errors

I'm trying to run the Backup Exec Utility, and getting SQL errors.  THe utility, for those that may not know, is at:

  C:\Program Files\Symantec\Backup Exec\BEUtility.exe

I'm on a Windows 2012 R2 server, running BE 2014 SP2, with full SQL Server 2014 installed locally.

When I try to do any operation with the utility, I get the following error:

     Starting database utility operation.
     Failed to start the SQL service on:EMSBACK.
     Database utility for server EMSBACK canceled.

SQL is running just fine, regardless of what the utility thinks. 
Any tricks to getting the utility to run?