 |
|
|
|
 |
Our Counselors
EILEEN RODRIGUEZ - Interim Director - International Business, Women/Minority Businesses
Ms. Eileen Rodriguez serves as Interim Director for the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida. She is a Certified Business Analyst. Eileen has been working with the SBDC since 1997, providing one-on-one confidential counseling and teachings seminars in English and Spanish on small business start-up, international trade, and women and minority certification.
Prior to working at the SBDC, Eileen owned her own business for four years. She has more than 21 years of experience as a professional businesswoman. Eileen obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master of Science Degree and an MBA from the University of South Florida.
Eileen is active in many organizations including the Florida Minority Supplier's Development Council, Tampa Bay Women in International Trade, the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators, and the University of South Florida Alumni Association.
JIM PARRISH - Assistant Director, Finance, SBA Loans, Business Planning
Mr. Jim Parrish is a Certified Business Analyst with the Florida's Small Business Development Center. He has more than 30 years of extensive experience as a bank manager, small business loan officer, financial counselor, and instructor. He has had direct responsibilities in the areas of accounting, auditing, operations, security, insurance, investments, retail lending, commercial lending, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and personnel.
Mr. Parrish received his B.A. degree from the University of Memphis, his M.B.A. from the University of Tampa, and a Doctorate in Business Administration-Finance (ABD) at Nova Southeastern University. He also graduated from the Mid-South School of Banking and the National Commercial Lending School.
Jim provides counseling services to businesses on such topics as: starting a business, Small Business Administration Loan Programs, how to prepare a business plan, getting a business loan, how to find investors, raising venture capital, franchising, and buying and selling a business.
Jim has authored numerous articles including "88 Ways To Get Money Without Going To The Bank" (Microsoft Word Document), "How To Find Private Investors For Your Business" (Microsoft Word Document), "Grants for Small Business: Myths versus Reality" (Microsoft Word Document), and "Why Buying Your Building May Be An Economic Mistake" and the FTC Consumer Alert – "Free Grants": Don’t Take Them For Grant
KIM WAGNER - Assistant Director, Marketing, Advertising, Human Resources
Kimberly Wagner comes to the SBDC from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. She was the training & program coordinator for executive development programs in the College of Business Administration since joining UCF in 1999. Previously, Kim was the owner of a small consulting firm in Mobile, Alabama, which she began after completing her MBA degree at the University of South Alabama in 1993. The company, "From the Ground Up", specialized in solving business issues for entrepreneurs and upstart companies.
Kim has over 14 years experience in business and a background in the hospitality field. Her areas of specialty include marketing and human resources. She also has extensive practical knowledge in meeting planning, event marketing and employee relations.
Since moving to Florida, Kim has spent many hours volunteering with several non-profit associations such as the Orlando Jaycees, the American Cancer Society and Central Florida Christian Performing Arts.
Kim is located in the satellite office of the USF Small Business Development Center. The office is housed with the Hillsborough County Small Business Information Center at Corporate Square, 7402 N. 56th Street, Suite 425. You can reach her at (813) 914-4028 or kwagner@coba.usf.edu.
Click here for a listing of our center’s research assistance capabilities!"Research Capabilities" (pdf file)
MARIO IEZZONI - Accounting, Business Taxes , Quick Books Training
As a child, Mr. Mario Iezzoni always had an interest in starting and owning a business. His first foray as an entrepreneur was to form the Lehigh River Company. Printing and publishing river maps, Mario started the company while he worked as a river guide on that Pennsylvania River A desire to expand his knowledge in the business arena led to enrollment at Wilkes University in Pa. where he earned an MBA with a concentration in Accounting and Finance.
While in graduate school, he opened a second business called Lehigh Rafting Rentals, Inc. The business thrived and is still in operation in the Lehigh River Gorge State Park (www.lehighrafting.com)
Mr. Iezzoni opened and expanded his third business; an accounting and tax practice. His firm specialized in meeting the various needs of small business owners. He also served as a faculty member at Luzerne County Community College teaching accounting and taxation courses for nine years.
Mr. Iezzoni moved to Florida after accepting a position at tax consulting firm based in Clearwater, Fla. The firm specialized in representing individuals with civil and criminal tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service.
Mr. Iezzoni is a CPA, who prefers being called Mario, and has always enjoyed helping small business owners.
DANIEL SCOTT - Business Planning, Internet Strategy and International Business
Daniel is a seasoned management consultant with an award-winning background in Fortune 500 sales management, commercial lending and entrepreneurial leadership. Having previously founded one of Florida’s largest and most successful live event production companies, he continues to lead entrepreneurial ventures as founder and board member. Daniel holds a MBA in Entrepreneurship & Leading the Customer-Driven Organization; Master of Science in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies; and key certifications in Commercial Credit Analysis, International Trade and Quality Assurance.
Recent honors include:
2007 Tampa Bay Business Journal's 30 Under 30
2006 Inaugural Florida Collegiate Business Plan Competition Finalist
2005 USF Entrepreneurial Alumnus of the Year
2005 USF Small Business Consultant of the Year
MARIA YEPES - Start-up Business Counselor
Maria Clara Yepes serves as the start-up business counselor in the Tampa office. Ms. Yepes counsels and teaches seminars in English and Spanish. She also helps start-up international trade clients.
Ms. Yepes is a second year MBA student at the University of South Florida. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 2005, also from USF. Her areas of interest are marketing, international business, management and sustainability.
WAYNE BRASS - Pinellas County Area Manager, Marketing
As Pinellas County Area Manager for the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida, Mr. Brass is responsible for providing one on one counseling and teaching seminars to assist start up and growing companies. Prior to taking this position, Mr. Brass was the Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator at the University of South Florida (USF). Also, while at USF, he was the Executive Director of the Office for Technology Entrepreneurship and the Executive Director for the Office for Corporate Development.
Mr. Brass has been involved for over 30 years in business and economic development of high technology activities in the Tampa Bay region. Previously, he has served the Tampa Bay area in many capacities and with various organizations including: Chairman of the High Technology Committee - Committee of 100, President and Chairman of the Board for the Sales and Marketing Executives of Tampa Bay, Director and Secretary - SunCoast Venture Forum, Steering Committee for the Florida High Technology Corridor – Fast 50 Program, Mentor for the Mentor Protégé Program - Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Board - Florida Manufacturing and Technology Centers and has worked closely with many local economic development councils, partnerships and Chambers of Commerce.
Mr. Brass graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. degree in Marketing Management from the College of Business Administration and has the distinction of being designated as a Certified Marketing Executive through the Accredited Institute of Sales and Marketing Executives International.
Mr. Brass retired from GTE (now Verizon) after 25 years of service with various regional and national marketing positions. His responsibilities included the analysis, development of business plans and implementation of new business ventures. Responsibilities also included the research and implementation of new technological products and services for local, regional and national telecommunication markets.
Mr. Brass owns a consulting firm providing national consulting services to many small to large firms plus was an owner of two start-up companies.
VANDITA TRIVEDI - General Business Assistance
Vandita Trivedi is an experienced consultant and trainer, working with small businesses since 1999.
After earning her Bachelors Degree in Computer Science and MBA from India, she started her career in 1997 after joining a multinational steel manufacturing company, where she gained invaluable experience in Organization Development and Training.
She moved to the United States two years later and started working with small businesses as a consultant and trainer. She consulted IT, Telecom and Training companies on software development, process mapping and business growth / improvisation projects. Her training experience includes technical training and soft skills training.
Vandita joined SBDC as counselor in April 2007. She is currently counseling start-up companies on licenses, selecting a business entity and other Web / Marketing related issues.
CHARLENE BOSTIC - PTAC Manager, Government Procurement, PTAC, Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
Ms. Charlene Bostic serves as manager of the Tampa Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), located within the Florida Small Business Development Center at USF. A Certified Acquisition Professional through the Defense Acquisition University, Ms. Bostic has more than 20 years of contracting experience with the Department of Defense. She is a Certified Business Analyst with the SBDC and joined the SBDC/PTAC in 2002 as a consultant to small and large businesses trying to obtain government contracts.
Ms. Bostic earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Administration from Saint Leo University, graduating in the top 10 percent of her class.
She began her contracting career as an active duty member with the United States Air Force. She is Level II Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certified. She spent 20 years purchasing a wide variety of products and services for the Air Force, ranging from small purchases of component parts to $100 million, high-tech research and development contracts. Her expertise in securing government contracts is evident at the Annual Government Trade Show she coordinates with the manufacturing sector.
KRISTENE MANNING - Office Manager
Though quiet and reserved, Kristene Manning, SBDC's Office Manager, keeps the office humming along and keeps us all on track with regulations and paperwork. An eight year veteran of the University, Kris has served on the USF Senate, the Committee of the Status of Women, and FAST Team for Grants. Kristene has won the Regional Employee of the Year Award in 2002 and 2005 with the Florida Small Business Development Center.
PATRICIA BRYANT - Director of First Impressions
When you enter the Small Business Development Center at USF, one of the first things to greet you is the sure smile of Pat Bryant, Co-Director of First Impressions. Her sense of humor and calming style immediately puts our clients and our staff at ease. Call Pat to make your appointment with one of our counselors.
NELSON REYES - Director of First Impressions
Nelson Reyes is also our bi-lingual Co-Director of First Impressions, who greets you with a hearty smile. He is always available to speak with you and will be able to get you registered into the seminar or workshop that best fits your need.
KRISSY ALVAREZ - Training Coordinator
When you attend one of our training seminars or conferences, you will be greeted and checked in by our training coordinator, Krissy Alvarez.
Ms. Alvarez has been with the SBDC since February 2006. A native Floridian, she attended University of Central Florida where she obtained her Bachelors degree in Psychology and her Masters degree in Criminal Justice.
Central Florida Development Council of Polk County (Bartow office)
DORETHA BROOKS - Finance
Doretha Brooks serves as Director and Certified Business Analyst for the SBDC at the Central Florida Development Council Polk County. She specializes in a myriad of areas including Accounting, Business Start-Up, Personnel/Human Resources, Computer Technology and Business Development. She has 21 years of accounting experience in the government sector and is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurship, owning and operating an accounting and tax service for over 20 years.
This experience affords her the opportunity to provide clients with a unique counseling vantage point. Her accounting and tax background allows her to provide her clients with the technical expertise needed to soundly run a small business. She enjoys sharing this information with other small business owners anxious to hone their skills. Doretha earned her B.S. in Accounting and a M.A. in Urban Affairs, and Personnel Administration from Norfolk State University.
ADRIENE DARBY - SBA Loans and Business Planning
Ms. Adrienne Darby, Certified Business Analyst, comes to the Small Business Development Center at the Central Florida Development Council, Polk County, following a 26- year career in the travel industry.
During the earlier part of that career, she worked for a major U.S. airline carrier, holding positions in front line passenger sales, and as an Automation Coordinator. These positions afforded Adrienne opportunities to gain expertise in customer relations and support, training and sales support.
She later worked for 11 years with Worldspan, a leader in electronic travel distribution systems, travel transaction processing and e-commerce. As Account Executive, Adrienne was part of the company’s North American Travel Distribution sales team. She conducted contract negotiations and provided business consulting and sales support to large and medium sized travel agencies.
Ms. Darby’s experience allows her to rollup her sleeves, work one-on-one with business owners and to learn their core operational structures and challenges. While presenting educational seminars, and counseling small business owners through start-up and expansion challenges, she taps into her wealth of experience and breadth of business acumen. Reviewing business plans and helping small business owners create viable loan proposal packages is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her job as a certified business analyst. Adrienne’s areas of expertise also include Minority Certification, and Sales.
Ms. Darby earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. She is also a Certified Fast Trac (Entrepreneurial Training) facilitator.
Manatee Community College (Venice office)
CAROLYN GRIFFIN - Assistant Director
Carolyn Griffin is the Assistant Director of the Small Business Development Center at Manatee Community College, located at the MCC Venice campus.
Carolyn has over 13 years experience as project manager with a major accounting firm. Carolyn earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Alabama State University. She has owned her own small business and is currently a managing member with a local hauling company.
ART MAHONEY - General Business Assistance, Marketing
Art Mahoney, Certified Business Analyst, comes to the Manatee Community College’s Small Business Development Center with a broad background of experience in the fields of marketing and business development which make him an excellent resource. He was president of a company that was voted ‘Best strategic marketing company’ in the Denver region for 2 years running and was one of the top 5 marketing agencies in the Denver market and built the agency from $600,000 annual billings to over $25 million.
Art holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Rutgers University and attended Boston University’s Graduate School of Public Relations and Communication.. Art is currently volunteering as a Branding Advisor with the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, on the Marketing Committee with the Sarasota Economic Development Corporation and as a Marketing Advisor with Sarasota’s Jewish Family and Children’s Service and the Senior Friendship Center.
Art provides counseling services to businesses in the areas of marketing and necessary steps to start a business.
Small Business Development Center at Heartland (Sebring office)
BOB RAYMOND - General Business Assistance
Bob Raymond, a Certified Business Analyst (CBA), comes to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) from Cleveland, Ohio, where he owned a UNIGLOBE Travel franchise for 11 years. Over a 6 year period, he increased the agency's sales by 600%. He won several awards, regional and national, and multiple certifications. He has an MBA from Duke University and a BA in business from the University of South Florida (USF).
Prior to forming his travel agency, Bob had a 21 year career with EDS, with 18 years in a management capacity. He worked in 7 states and 3 separate industries (health care, telecommunications and financial). His responsibilities included Business Support Manager of a credit card facility, Executive Director of a telephone billing facility, Systems Integration Manager with the AT&T / EDS Strategic Business Relationship, and various management positions with the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 4 states, including Program Director of the North Carolina Medicaid Program for EDS, the Fiscal Agent.
Bob is married to Shirley, whom he met at USF, and they have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. Bob was active in local organizations in the Cleveland area, including the Avon Lake Chamber of Commerce, Network Professionals of Westlake, and the Avon Lake Kiwanis Club. With Kiwanis, he was a Past President and also Chairman of the Public Relations committee, both at the local level and the Division (county) level. With Network Professionals, he was also a Past President.
Bob is located in Sebring, and provides SBDC services to Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties.
BILL MCKOWN - General Business Assistance
Bill assists entrepreneurs in the Highlands, Hardee, and Desoto county areas through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located on the campus of South Florida Community College in Avon Park. He is a Certified Business Analyst for the SBDC and a facilitator for the Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) program. He has experience in training, facilitating, sales, organizational management, and entrepreneurship.
As Retail Vice President for a 15 million gallon per year petroleum marketing company, Bill helped grow the company’s convenience store chain from 4 stores to 13 stores over a 14 year period. During this time, Bill directed the chain’s marketing, co-op advertising, signage, retail construction, human resources, purchasing, vendor relations, and retail loss prevention. Bill served on the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association’s education and environmental committees. He has also owned his own businesses in the past and understands private enterprise.
Bill earned his B.A. degree in Organizational Management from Warner Southern College. He is a past member of the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was the first President of the Rotary Club of Hardee County.
|
|
|
|
|
|
