Below you will find a complete directory of the UGA Small Business Development Center organization. The directory is listed in alphabetical order with a brief bio of each faculty and staff member. To view more about each professional, simply hover over the photo and click the envelope icon. You will be directed to their full biography, social media channels, and contact information on another page.
Albany Office
Debbie Finney
Area DirectorDebbie Finney 28 years of work experience in the private sector to the SBDC where she now consults with Georgia businesses in the areas...
Heather Sharpe
ConsultantHeather Sharpe serves as a Business Consultant for the University Of Georgia Small Business Development Center in Albany, Georgia. She attended Darton College before...
Rob Martin
ConsultantRob  Martin is a business consultant in the Albany office.  Previously, he worked for multiple large corporations and brings with him a rich background...
Anne Chaplin
Program CoordinatorAnne Chaplin serves as a Program Coordinator for the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center in Albany Georgia. She attended Darton State College...
Athens Office
Laura Katz
Area DirectorMs. Katz has over 15 years’ experience in product marketing and business development for both large corporations and small business. She has worked in...
Michael Myers
ConsultantMichael Myers joined the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Athens Area Office< on October 1, 2015. Before joining the SBDC, Michael...
David Stob
ConsultantDavid J. Stob brings to the SBDC a diverse background of over 24 years in various marketing and business development roles with executive management...
Stacy Johnson
Program CoordinatorStacy Johnson has over 15 years of experience in advertising and marketing working as a graphic designer for small advertising agencies in Dallas, Texas....
Atlanta Office
Jeff Patterson
Area DirectorJeff has extensive financial industry experience that includes leadership roles in credit administration, commercial lending, operations management, regulatory compliance
Susan White
Program CoordinatorSusan joined the SBDC in January of 2016 as the Program Coordinator at the Georgia State office. Susan brings along with her 11 years...
Paul Wilson, Jr.
ConsultantPaul has extensive industry experience that spans leadership roles in supply chain management, procurement, marketing, supplier diversity, and small business development.
Thomas Heaton
ConsultantTommy has financial industry experience that includes leadership roles in portfolio management, commercial lending, process management, and real estate acquisition. His e
Anna Brumby
Business ConsultantAnna has over 15 years’ experience as an influential business leader with a history of designing and executing successful marketing, branding and business development..
Augusta Office
Rick McMurtrey
Area DirectorRick brings over 33 years of business experience to the UGA SBDC. Prior to joining the SBDC, Rick spent more than 20 years as...
Eric Frickey
ConsultantPrior to joining the SBDC, Eric worked at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) where he focused on licensing federally-funded technologies to small businesses.Â
Dawn Black
ConsultantDawn Black is a Business Consultant with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center in Augusta. Her business career spans nearly 20 years...
Rebecca Kruckow
Program CoordinatorRebecca has been with UGA-SBDC at Augusta since November 2014 in the role of Program Coordinator. She provides scheduling, information, and marketing for consultants...
Brunswick Office
David Lewis
Area DirectorMr. Lewis joined the SBDC in 1990 as a rural economic development consultant and is currently the area director of the Brunswick office. He...
Jordan Tippett
ConsultantJordan Tippett joined the SBDC in 2015 as a business consultant in the Brunswick office. Previously, he worked for multiple large corporations in the...
Saundra Phillips
Administrative AssistantAs the first point of contact, Saundra is ready to assist existing and prospective business owners with basic business information and resources. She directs...
Carrollton Office
Todd Anduze
Area DirectorPrior to joining the Georgia SBDC, Mr Anduze served in the United States Navy during the Desert Storm campaign as a Plane Captain for...
Cole Fannin
ConsultantPrior to joining the SBDC, Mr. Fannin worked in the areas of sales & marketing, as well as insurance. During his tenure, he worked...
Jane Smith
Administrative AssistantJane Smith has been with the UGA SBDC at The University of West Georgia for 15 years. Prior to joining the UGA SBDC, she gained...
Columbus Office
Mark Lupo
Area DirectorMr. Lupo joined The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center in Columbus in 2005 as a Business Consultant and was promoted to Area...
Todd Carlisle
ConsultantPrior to joining the SBDC, Todd worked in the areas of banking and logistics. During his four year banking tenure, Todd worked at Columbus...
Michelle Griffin
ConsultantMichelle brings over 15 years of business experience. The majority of those years were dedicated to the Columbus, Georgia community as a local banker...
Deborah Free
Administrative AssistantOften the first point of contact, Deborah’s goal is providing clients with information exercising optimum customer service enriching their experience by creating a frie
DeKalb Office
Stephen Newton
ConsultantGrowing up on a farm in rural south Georgia, I learned early in life the importance of responsibility and hard work. The entrepreneurial spirit...
Mark Collier
ConsultantMark Collier joins the SBDC after an accomplished career in the private sector and a temporary assignment with the U.S. Small Business Administration office...
Geoffrey Loften
Program CoordinatorGeoffrey joined the SBDC in August of 2015 as the Program Coordinator at the DeKalb office. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political...
Gainesville Office
Al Hermann
ConsultantAl brings to the SBDC over 35 years of business experience with major corporations, small businesses and start-ups. Prior to joining the UGA SBDC...
Molly Knight
Program CoordinatorMolly came onboard as the UGA SBDC Gainesville Program Coordinator in May 2017. Molly is originally from Augusta, Georgia where she participated in Youth...
Gwinnett Office
Benny StaRomana
ConsultantMr. StaRomana provides coaching and guidance to small- and medium-sized businesses in all stages of the business life cycle, from start-up to exit. His...
Helen Sutherland
Program CoordinatorHelen serves as the administrative assistant for the UGA SBDC in Gwinnett office. She provides day-to-day staff support and takes great pride in having the...
Kennesaw Office
Drew Tonsmeire
Area DirectorDrew Tonsmeire serves as the Area Director with the University of Georgia SBDC at Kennesaw State University. In 2014, the KSU SBDC was recognized...
Carole Arnold
Program CoordinatorCarole Arnold is the Program Coordinator for the UGA SBDC at Kennesaw State University. She previously worked as a marketing and logistics manager for...
Andy Fried
ConsultantAndy Fried has over twenty-five years experience in the financial, retail and real estate sectors. He began his career as a CPA with Laventhol...
Dan Regelski
ConsultantDan was raised in an Entrepreneurial home where his family owned and farmed a 200 acre Agribusiness. Growing up in this environment made him...
Daniel McCoy
ConsultantDaniel comes to the SBDC as a Business Consultant after a successful banking career. Daniel has served as a loan originator in Consumer, Mortgage,...
Macon Office
Lisa Rackley
ConsultantMs. Rackley worked in Human Resources for a manufacturing facility prior to joining the Small Business Development Center. Her previous experience includes working with..
Peter Williams
ConsultantPeter Williams provides business consulting services to businesses in Middle Georgia. Prior to joining the SBDC in 2013, Mr. Williams owned and operated for eleven...
Trudy Lawrence
Program CoordinatorTrudy has over 15 years of experience in Retail Management and Buying. She also served as Executive Director for several non-profit education programs for...
Morrow Office
Alisa Kirk
Area DirectorAlisa Kirk is the Area Director of the UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University, which provides business consulting and training for...
Cheryl Greenerl
Program CoordinatorCheryl Greenerl has served as the Program Coordinator with UGA SBDC at Clayton State University since March 2015 and is the first point of...
Rome Office
Richard Montanaro
Area DirectorMr. Montanaro brings more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive to his role as an SBDC area director. Montanaro’s industry experience...
Matt Pearce
ConsultantMatt’s previous work experience includes financial management positions in the computer, freight/logistics and investment management industries. He also owned a bus
Nora Guzman
ConsultantNora serves as a business consultant for the UGA SBDC in Rome. She has a diverse background with extensive experience in management, human resources, manufacturing,Â
Emily Tippett
Program CoordinatorEmily serves as the Program Coordinator for the UGA SBDC in Rome. She has a background in event planning and public speaking, having hosted...
Savannah Office
Becky Brownlee
Area DirectorMrs. Brownlee has been a small business owner for over 20 years. She has owned businesses in manufacturing, specialty retail, beauty and trade schools,...
Liz Overstreet
Administrative AssistantLiz Overstreet helps new entrepreneurs by providing them basic business information, from the center’s current program offerings to sample business plans. Ms. Overs
Statesboro Office
Valerie McElveen
Area DirectorPrior to joining the Small Business Development Center, Valerie worked in the areas of accounting and operations. Her experience ranges from working in a...
Valdosta Office
Walt Moore
ConsultantMr. Walt Moore serves as a business consultant for the UGA Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University. He has over eight years...
Cindy Corgan
Program CoordinatorCindy Corgan is the Program Coordinator for the University of Georgia SBDC at Valdosta State University. As a graduate of Valdosta State University she...
State Director's Office
Allan Adams
State DirectorMr. Adams has served with the Small Business Development Center in several capacities. These include roles with the Minority Business Division, the International Trade...
Melody Banks
Administrative AssociateBio coming soon!
Sharon Jennings
Administrative ProfessionalBio coming soon!
Beth Melnik
Associate State DirectorPrior to joining the SBDC, Ms. Melnik worked for a marketing firm based in Peachtree City and for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of...
Morgan Robinson
Research ProfessionalSpatial analytics has always been an interest for Morgan. After completing her degree in Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Morgan was hired by...
Teresa Williams
Program DirectorMs. Williams joined the SBDC in 2005, first as a Business Manager, and now as Director of Special Programs. Her previous experience includes fifteen years...
Mark Mayfield
Assistant to the DirectorMark returned to the University of Georgia in 2013 to pursue a PhD in Higher Education and work at the University of Georgia’s Small...
Business Office
Melissa Stoker
Administrative Financial DirectorBio coming soon!
Penny Johnson
Senior Accounting TechnicianBio coming soon!
Jessica Hearn
Business ManagerBio coming soon!
Information Technology
Mike Parrish
IT ManagerBio coming soon!
Guillermo Londono
IT SpecialistBio coming soon!
Steve Quinlan
IT SupportBio coming soon!
Meredith Reeves
Application Programmer AssociateFrom the time that internet access started to become a staple in every home, Meredith has wanted to know how just how it worked....
Program Development
Kyle Hensel
Program DirectorKyle Hensel is the former Area Director of the UGA SBDC at Savannah and the current Director of Continuing Education at the State Office....
District Directors
Ron Simmons
District DirectorRon Simmons is one of two District Directors for The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. He works with multiple office throughout the state...
Suzanne Barnett
District DirectorSuzanne Barnett is one of two District Directors for The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. She works with multiple office throughout the state of
Josh Walton
District DirectorMr. Walton is a former commercial and small business lender. He has over 12 years experience working with small and mid-sized lending customers. His...
Entrepreneur Outreach Specialists
Bill Boone
Entrepreneur Outreach SpecialistBio coming soon!
Medical Program
Jeff Sanford
Program DirectorMr. Sanford teaches Practice Management at the College of Veterinary Medicine and consults with veterinarians nationwide. He teaches specialized business education progra
Matt Lastinger
Medical Management SpecialistMr. Lastinger works in the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s Medical Practice Management Program leading its medical consulting and education ac
Minority Business Development
Carolina Ramon
Center DirectorCarolina Ramon joined the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Office of Minority Business Development (OMBD) October 1, 2015. Before joining
Bart Njoku-Obi
ConsultantBart’s expertise spans strategic planning, sales operations, business process improvement, B2B partner ecosystems, and M&A. He’s entrepreneurial-minded with m
Ashley Watson
Program CoordinatorComing soon! Education B.S. Mass Communications (Minor in Creative Writing) – University of West Georgia Experience Graphic Designer – The Salvation Army̵
International Trade
Rick Martin
Center DirectorRick has over 30 years of experience in international business in both the public and private sector. During his career, he established and developed...
Dimitris Kloussiadis
ConsultantDimitris has over 28 years’ experience in international business, in both the public and private sectors. While in the private sector, he established an...
Darrel Hulsey
ConsultantMr. Hulsey previously worked for a large commercial bank serving in various lending and management positions. He also has experience as an independent financial...
Ashley Watson
Program CoordinatorComing soon! Education B.S. Mass Communications (Minor in Creative Writing) – University of West Georgia Experience Graphic Designer – The Salvation Army̵