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Alabama Small Business Development Center Network
Alabama SBDC Network

Meet the Team

Meet our team of dedicated professionals that lead the Alabama SBDC Network.

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The University of Alabama

Bill Cummins William C. Cummins Alabama SBDC
Executive State Director

Bill Cummins

Michael Brooks Mike Brooks University of Alabama SBDC Network
Associate State Director

Michael Brooks

Brian K. Davis Alabama international Trade center the university of alabama SBDC
Director Alabama International Trade Center

Brian K. Davis

Lindsay Frey Alabama PTAC Jacksonville State University
Procurement Manager, APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Lindsay Frey

a woman smiling for the camera
Project Accountant

Erin Coleman

Katie Gill Cleveland - Alabama SBDC
Accounting Specialist

Katie Cleveland

a person smiling for the camera
Finance Specialist / Business Advisor

Suzanne Darden

Lindsay Bridges Alabama SBDC at Auburn University
Regional Manager

Lindsay Bridges

Joe Grimes Alabama SBDC
Finance Specialist / Business Advisor

Joe Grimes

Emily Moore Alabama SBDC
Finance Specialist / Business Advisor

Emily Moore

Heather Wright Alabama SBDC
Regional Manager

Heather Wright

a woman wearing glasses and smiling at the camera
Senior International Trade Specialist, AITC

Carolyn Q. Turner, CGBP, LCB

a man looking at the camera
Director, International Business Development – AITC

Kristinn Gretarsson

a man wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera
Director of Consultant Services / Senior Business Advisor

Paavo Hanninen

brooke maddox alabama sbdc
Business Development Specialist

Brooke Maddox

Jasmine Brothers - Alabama SBDC
Business Advisor

Jasmine Brothers

Harry Grier Alabama SBDC
Business Advisor

Harry Grier

Betsy Baker Alabama PTAC
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Betsy Baker

Tory Shumpert
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Tory Shumpert

Susan Adams Alabama PTAC
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Susan Adams

Karla Jordan
Program Specialist

Karla Jordan

Charitey Bonner
Administrative Secretary

Charitey Bonner

Executive State Director

Bill Cummins

In June 2011, Bill Cummins was named Executive State Director of the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, a public sector service organization devoted to supporting Alabama small business. Bill is a thirty-year veteran of commercial banking and joined Bank One/New Orleans in 1998 as the Market Manager — Trade Finance for Louisiana. In 2000, he was promoted to first vice president for Global Treasury & Trade (Southeastern Market Manager). In 2004, Bank One merged with JP Morgan Chase, and Bill served as Executive Director for Global Trade Services for JPMorgan Chase Bank.

From 1996-1998, Bill was Senior Vice President and Director of the AmTrade International Bank in Atlanta; from 1982 to 1995, he was group vice president for trade finance with South Trust Bank in Birmingham.

Bill is a former member of the Bankers’ Association on Foreign Trade and co-founded its Small Business Export Finance Committee. He has served as an expert witness regarding trade finance before several congressional committees and is a frequent lecturer for trade groups, financial institutions and universities. Bill was named to the national Advisory Committee of Ex-Im Bank in the fall of 2020. He is a member and former Vice Chair of the Louisiana District Export Council – LADEC and former Chairman of the Alabama District Export Council, 1994-96 (and its Vice Chairman from 2014 to present). Bill served two terms on the NADEC Board of Directors. For many years, Bill served on the faculty of the LSU Graduate School of Banking; he is a former adjunct professor with Birmingham-Southern University. Bill served on the Board of Visitors for the College of Business at Loyola University and was the 2001-2002 Chair of the International Trade & Tourism Council of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI); in January of 2005, Bill was elected to the Board of Directors of LABI. In 2000, he was elected to the Board of the World Trade Center of New Orleans. From 2017 to 2019, Bill served on the Board of Directors for the national association of Small Business Development Centers, America’s SBDC.

A New Orleans native, Bill is a graduate of Tulane University and of the Masters of International Business Studies (MIBS) program of the University of South Carolina.  Bill is married with two grown daughters and five grandchildren. He is a member of Jubilee Shores United Methodist Church in Fairhope, Alabama and currently serves on its Leadership Council.

Associate State Director

Michael Brooks

Michael Brooks is the Associate State Director of the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC), an economic development program at the University of Alabama’s Office for Research & Economic Development, designed to help grow Alabama’s economy by providing one-on-one, confidential & no-cost assistance to entrepreneurs and existing small businesses.

Michael began his career with the SBDC as an International Trade Specialist with the Alabama International Trade Center in 1998, leading several Trade Center programs, including business development, trade counseling, and export financing. In 2009 he joined the leadership of the Alabama SBDC Network as the Associate State Director. In this position he serves as a liaison to SBA and other business development organizations, oversees the accreditation process for the state’s 10 SBDC locations, and drives innovation and performance improvement across the Network.

He received an MBA in Strategic Management & Marketing, and a BS in International Business from The University of Alabama. He currently serves on the board of directors for the AlabamaGermany Partnership and the North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA), and was nominated to serve on the Alabama District Export Council (DEC).

Director Alabama International Trade Center

Brian K. Davis

Brian Davis is the Director of the Alabama International Trade Center (AITC) at The University of Alabama’ where he oversees its export research, training, and finance services.  The AITC, a component of the University’s economic development outreach programs, utilizes professional staff, UA students, and industry consultants to help small businesses in Alabama expand sales in foreign markets. The statewide program also serves as a resource for local, state, and regional organizations on a variety of international business research and development projects.

Brian is the project director for the Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network at The University of Alabama, a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration, higher education institutions in Alabama, and the State of Alabama.  It provides management and technical assistance to start-up and existing small businesses in all 67 counties of the state.

Brian has over 30 years of experience in international trade consulting and research projects.  He taught the export management course for the UA College of Commerce and Business Administration from 1990-2012.  Brian is a past president of the North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) association and serves on its board of directors as a Distinguished Fellow.  He is a board member and secretary/treasurer of the Alabama India Business Partnership Association.

Brian received a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from The University of Alabama and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Intercultural Studies from the University of Montevallo.

Procurement Manager, APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Lindsay Frey

After several years as a Procurement Specialist at the Alabama PTAC at JSU, Lindsay was hired as the statewide PTAC Program Manager at the University of Alabama.  Lindsay has offices in Birmingham and Jacksonville.  Before joining the PTAC, she spent two years in the Anniston Army Depot’s Contracting Office, mainly assisting in the Office of Small Business Programs.  Lindsay also offers eleven years of experience in sales, marketing, and community outreach to assist her clients.  She ran her family’s jewelry business for seven years and was a marketing manager/community outreach manager for a large chain of non-profit dental offices in the area for four years.  Lindsay has an undergrad in Marketing and her Masters in Public Administration, both from JSU.  She is a Leadership Calhoun County and Leadership Cleburne County graduate and received the Calhoun County Chamber’s Small Business Advocate of the Year award in 2019.  Lindsay is married to her husband, Tom and has a daughter named Scarlett.

Coming soon: Alabama PTAC will be known as Alabama APEX Accelerator.  The APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

Project Accountant

Erin Coleman

Ms. Coleman joined The University of Alabama Small Business Development Center in Tuscaloosa in 2013 as an Accounting Specialist and was promoted to Program Accountant in 2014. Erin started her career at The University of Alabama in 2009 at The University Supply Store working in accounts payable. She received a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a master’s degree in Financial Planning. She manages all the financial functions of the SBDC Lead Center such as budget reconciliation, payroll, expense reports, sub-recipient monitoring, and preparing grant proposals.

Accounting Specialist

Katie Cleveland

Katie Cleveland joined the Alabama SBDC as an Accounting Specialist in August 2022.  She graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelor’s in marine science and biology.  After college she ventured in retail and later progressed into the banking world. She was eventually introduced to accounting and began her career with the Alabama SBDC at The University of Alabama.

Finance Specialist / Business Advisor

Suzanne Darden

Suzanne Darden is a Finance Specialist with the statewide Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, based at The University of Alabama. The SBDC provides technical assistance to help small businesses secure capital for start-up and growth. Suzanne is a key leader with the SBDC’s Capital Access Program, a position she has held since 2013. In the last three years, the SBDC has helped secure over $318 million in capital projects for manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, hotel, multi-use residential/retail complexes, and other business projects throughout the state. Suzanne was awarded the 2018 SBDC State Star for outstanding performance among the nationwide SBDC program and is the ‘go to’ person for Alabama businesses seeking to access capital. Her previous experience has included serving as general manager and CFO for a refrigeration and ice manufacturing business; and commercial lending with banks in Georgia and Virginia. She is a graduate of Christopher Newport College of the College of William and Mary and is from Williamsburg, Virginia.

Regional Manager

Lindsay Bridges

Lindsay Bridges has worked as a business advisor since 2009. Prior to joining the Alabama SBDC, she started a consulting business specializing in research and writing services. Lindsay has a Bachelor’s degree in History from Samford University, a Master’s degree in History from Auburn University, and a JD from Cumberland School of Law. She loves her job with the Alabama SBDC because she is continually learning. Lindsay enjoys researching various topics for clients and advises on a variety of subjects, including startup, financing, and feasibility.

Finance Specialist / Business Advisor

Joe Grimes

Joe Grimes is a Finance Specialist with the Alabama SBDC Capital Access Team at The University of Alabama. Prior to this he was a Business Advisor with the Alabama SBDC at Jacksonville State University for nine years. During his time at JSU he was also an adjunct instructor of finance in the School of Banking.

Grimes’ areas of expertise include financial analysis, financial projections, and obtaining sources of capital. He has 20 years of experience in commercial banking, loan underwriting, portfolio management, and client service. While Grimes worked in banking, he completed The Graduate School of Banking of The South on the Louisiana State University campus.

Prior to joining the SBDC Grimes co-owned two casual dining restaurants in the Birmingham area for four years. This endeavor provided him with experience and knowledge in all aspects of owning a small business, being part of a franchise, and in buying and selling a business.

During his career Grimes has been an active member of several civic organizations, on the board of directors of non-profit organizations, and served as president of three of the organizations.
Grimes’ formal education includes a BA degree from the University of Alabama and an MBA degree with a concentration in Finance from Jacksonville State University.

Finance Specialist / Business Advisor

Emily Moore

Regional Manager

Heather Wright

Heather Wright is a graduate of Auburn University with a BS in Business Administration with concentration in Finance and Human Resource Management. Mrs. Wright finished her MBA from the University of North Alabama. She has over fifteen years of finance and capital markets experience, with extensive work in market feasibility research, financial modeling, capital raises, and incentive packaging. Heather is a part of the Alabama SBDC’s Capital Access Team, assisting business owners in all of their financial needs. Mrs. Wright’s career has included executive roles in multiple business, as well as financial roles with Wells Fargo and Martin Federal Credit Union. She currently sits on multiple executive boards and is a Regional Manager at the Alabama SBDC.

Senior International Trade Specialist, AITC

Carolyn Q. Turner, CGBP, LCB

“Mrs. Carolyn Turner is the Assistant Director of Research and Training with the Alabama International Trade Center, providing import and export business counseling to companies in Alabama. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in international business as it relates to developing export/import growth strategies, compliance and regulations, export controls under ITAR and EAR, customs clearance processes, classification, and logistics and supply chain. She is a Licensed US Customs Broker and also a Nasbite Certified Global Business Professional, so she is well positioned to help Alabama’s importers and exporters. She has experience in a wide range of industries from software as a service, biotech, aerospace and aviation, automotive, to agriculture and everything in between. She has a BS in International Marketing and Spanish, with a focus on Latin America, and a Masters in Global Business Management, both from the University of Alabama. And she also serves on various Boards including the Japan America Society of Alabama (JASA); Destination Hoover International; and BIO Alabama. Mrs. Turner joined the Trade Center in 2008. She previously worked for Page & Jones, Inc. a Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker with offices throughout the Southeast, as the NVO and freight coordinator for the company’s imports and exports. And she has been able to travel extensively during her career and uses that market knowledge to help companies navigate their international business endeavors.

Alabama International Trade Center
Alabama SBDC Network
The University of Alabama
621 Greensboro Ave.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

Email:cturner@aitc.ua.edu

Phone:205-348-7621

Website:https://aitc.ua.edu

Director, International Business Development – AITC

Kristinn Gretarsson

Mr. Gretarsson has 25 years of experience in international business as a frontline manager, CEO, and board member of companies in medical, biotech and the financial sector. He has extensive experience in driving growth, entering new markets, product development, and brand building.  Mr. Gretarsson has led two companies through ISO 9001 certification and secured CE marking and FDA approval for medical devices, diagnostic aids, and skin care products.  Mr. Gretarsson was the CEO of ORF Genetics and BIOEFFECT, a world leading company in the development and production of recombinant proteins.

Kristinn’s previous roles also included sales and marketing for a large food products company with 50 distributors and 200 SKU´s, and as International Trade Specialist for the Alabama International Trade Center.  Kristinn completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in business from The University of Alabama.

Director of Consultant Services / Senior Business Advisor

Paavo Hanninen

Paavo Hanninen currently works as Director Consulting Services for the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC.) In that role, Hanninen provides assistance on a wide range of business issues—including business plan development and business start- up guidance. From 1984 thru 2010, Hanninen served as director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Alabama. In that role, he worked with many existing and potential small business owners in Tuscaloosa and throughout Alabama. While working for the University of Alabama, Hanninen has been a member of various local civic clubs, served on economic advisory boards and has been an officer and president of two local non-profit agencies serving the needs of the developmentally disabled.

Business Development Specialist

Brooke Maddox

Business Advisor

Jasmine Brothers

Jasmine Brothers is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  After college she chose a different route and went down the financial industry path in loans and banking in Tuscaloosa, AL. Later she moved for a time to Charlotte, NC and worked as a mortgage closer. After her return to Alabama, she joined the team in August of 2022 as the Administrative Secretary for The University of Alabama Small Business Development Center in Tuscaloosa. In December of 2022 she moved to a new position as a Business Advisor.

Business Advisor

Harry Grier

Harry Grier is the owner of Arch Business Consulting, Inc. Arch Business Consulting was started in April 2012 and concentrates on advising management and owners of businesses with fewer than 25 employees or $5 million in annual revenues.

Prior to starting Arch Business Consulting, Harry was the Controller for a construction company for 8 1/2 years; was a commercial lender for 4 years, and a consumer banker for 9 years.

He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1990 with a BBA in Finance and a concentration in Economics.

He served on the Southeast Alabama Planning and Development Commission loan board for six years. He served on the Advisory Board of the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network. He served on the board of directors of the Alabama Brewers Guild for two years. He served as the Treasurer of the Alabama Alarm Association for 4 years.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Betsy Baker

Formal Education:
Auburn University – Montgomery, AL – Master’s, Public Administration 1992
Troy University – Troy, AL – Bachelor’s, Secondary Education in Social Science 1990

Certifications:
Graduate Certified Business Advisor, Kent State University’s College of Business Administration – the first certified business advisor in the State of Alabama.

Certified Procurement Professional, Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers

Certified Verification Counselor, Department of Veterans Affairs

Skills and Abilities:
All aspects of government contracting including certifications, registrations, marketing, proposal review and proposal preparation. Also experienced in social media marketing, creative writing, report writing, educational training, presentation and business plan development.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Tory Shumpert

Tory Shumpert is a Procurement Specialist with the APEX Accelerator at Innovation Depot in Birmingham, Alabama. Before joining the team, he worked various positions at The University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa in sales and event management. Shumpert has multiple degrees and certifications from Stillman College, Strayer University, and The University of Alabama.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Susan Adams

Susan has worked in a multitude of industries in HR, Marketing, Management, and Sales, including Pharmaceuticals, as well as having teaching and administrative experience in both High School and University arenas.

Susan has undergraduate degrees from the University of North Alabama in Biology, Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, with teaching certifications in Elementary and Secondary. Her MBA is from the University of Memphis in the specializations of Marketing and Management. Susan did post-graduate work at Vanderbilt in the areas of Human Resources and Training.

Coming from a family of small business owners, and having been a former business owner herself, Susan knows the needs of the small business community and has been able to use her education and experience to help entrepreneurs and small business owners prepare for government contracting. As a life-long learner, consummate fundraiser, and volunteer, she is always taking opportunities to learn and connect with others.

Susan has recently been selected as President of the University of North Alabama Alumni Association and holds leadership roles with Rotary and serves on the Professional Staff Assembly at the University of Alabama.

Program Specialist

Karla Jordan

Karla Jordan has been with The University of Alabama since 2001.  Later, she joined the Alabama International Trade Center, Alabama Small Business Development Center, and APEX Accelerator of Alabama and brings expertise in assisting the teams with various reports, small business workshops, and specialized trade events. She works with the client tracking database and provides support to the statewide network staff.

Karla enjoys traveling, camping, and UTV Off-Road trail riding.

Administrative Secretary

Charitey Bonner

Charitey Bonner is the Administrative Secretary at the Alabama SBDC at The University of Alabama.  Charitey was born in Denver, CO and raised in the south of the United States, as she came from a military family. She completed two years of undergrad at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

After moving to Pensacola, FL in 2018, Charitey accepted a position at Navy Federal Credit Union headquarters and worked diligently there as a financial advisor for 4 years.  While in that career field, she completed various certifications in Leadership and Communication, and eventually became the Events Coordinator for her advising team.

She became connected to her local community through Transformation Church Pensacola in 2018 as well, and during the next 5 years occupied roles such as Guest Connections Director, Leadership Pipeline Administrator, and Executive Intern, alongside her other obligations.  In 2020, she graduated from a two-year intensive Leadership Pipeline through Transformation Church for Theology and Leadership in Ministry. After Covid, Charitey saw a need in her community in healthcare and accepted a position as an Office and Claims Processing Assistant at Sacred Heart Medical Group in 2021.

She moved to Alabama and began planting roots in January of 2023 after she met and married her now husband, Andrew, who lives and works in Tuscaloosa, AL.  Charitey is excited to be a part of the local team, as well as the bright future of the Alabama SBDC.

Jacksonville State University

ken grissom alabama sbdc at jsu
Center Director

Ken Grissom

Mary Kirk Alabama SBDC at JSU
Business Advisor

Mary Kirk

Darby Davis Alabama SBDC at Jacksonville State University
Business Advisor

Darby Davis

a woman who is smiling and looking at the camera
Project Accountant

Anna Fang

Lindsay Frey Alabama PTAC Jacksonville State University
Procurement Manager, APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Lindsay Frey

Mazah Grimes
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Mazah Grimes

Center Director

Ken Grissom

Ken Grissom has served multiple roles with the SBDC at JSU, including Government Procurement Specialist, Business Advisor, and since 2014 as the Center Director. Grissom earned his undergraduate and MBA at JSU. Prior to joining the SBDC in 2011, Ken had worked as a businessman, owning and operating restaurants and other commercial projects.

Business Advisor

Mary Kirk

Mary joined the SBDC at Jacksonville State University on October 1, 2020, as a Business Advisor, and has spent much of her time since helping clients work through Covid-19 related issues such as PPP and EIDL.  Outside of her disaster-assistance activities, Mary’s focus is on helping companies with business planning and strategy.  Before joining the SBDC, she served as the Bursar of Jacksonville State University. Mary is a graduate of JSU, and is proud to be a JSU employee. She  received a BS in Business Administration, (Accounting and Finance) from JSU in 1986. Before joining the staff at JSU, Mary owned a retail business for 10 years, worked in public accounting and also worked in banking. “I feel that these years of varied experience helps me in assisting the clients of the SBDC at JSU.”

Business Advisor

Darby Davis

Darby Davis is a Business Advisor for the Small Business Development Center at Jacksonville State University. Before joining the SBDC, she served as an Accountant for an Aerospace Department of Defense Contractor where she gained valuable experience in many areas of finance. In 2020 Darby graduated with a Master of Business Administration concentrating in Accounting from Jacksonville State University, and this was preceded with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2018. In addition, Darby has experience in various administrative roles, event marketing, and data analysis that are beneficial in her role.

Project Accountant

Anna Fang

Anna has been employed at JSU since 2014. She serves as a Grants Administrator & Financial Analyst in the Small Business Development Center. Prior to her employment with SBDC at JSU, she worked in banking, and local government as a financial officer. She has over 19 years of expertise in the financial services industry. Anna has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Computer Information Systems and a Master’s degree in Accounting. Anna is a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).

Procurement Manager, APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Lindsay Frey

After several years as a Procurement Specialist at the Alabama PTAC at JSU, Lindsay was hired as the statewide PTAC Program Manager at the University of Alabama.  Lindsay has offices in Birmingham and Jacksonville.  Before joining the PTAC, she spent two years in the Anniston Army Depot’s Contracting Office, mainly assisting in the Office of Small Business Programs.  Lindsay also offers eleven years of experience in sales, marketing, and community outreach to assist her clients.  She ran her family’s jewelry business for seven years and was a marketing manager/community outreach manager for a large chain of non-profit dental offices in the area for four years.  Lindsay has an undergrad in Marketing and her Masters in Public Administration, both from JSU.  She is a Leadership Calhoun County and Leadership Cleburne County graduate and received the Calhoun County Chamber’s Small Business Advocate of the Year award in 2019.  Lindsay is married to her husband, Tom and has a daughter named Scarlett.

Coming soon: Alabama PTAC will be known as Alabama APEX Accelerator.  The APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Mazah Grimes

Mazah Grimes is a Government Procurement Specialist with the APEX Accelerator of Alabama Program based in Jacksonville State University and co-located in the Small Business Development Center. APEX Accelerators are managed by the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs and assist clients with grants, certifications, and government contract opportunities. As a 2022 graduate of Auburn University, Ms. Grimes obtained a Master of Public Administration and Master of Community Planning in addition to a Graduate Certificate in Economic Development. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in 2020 from Jacksonville State University.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville

Hilary Claybourne Alabama SBDC at UAH
Center Director

Hilary Claybourne

Michelle Kloske alabama SBDC at UAH
Business Advisor

Michelle Kloske

Ronica Ondocsin
Business Advisor

Ronica Ondocsin, PE

Kris McBride - Alabama PTAC
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Kris McBride

Marc Jacobson UAH PTAC
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Marc Jacobson

Todd Steigerwald UAH APEX
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator

Todd Steigerwald

Mel Adams, Ph.D.
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator

Mel Adams, Ph.D.

Center Director

Hilary Claybourne

Business Advisor

Michelle Kloske

Michelle Kloske is a senior business advisor and training coordinator at the Alabama SBDC at the University of Alabama Huntsville since 2019. Michelle was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She has an associate’s degree from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Michelle is an enthusiastic and creative business advisor. Through her varied experiences, she is uniquely skilled to assist clients in the retail and service business and assisting food and beverage clients navigate the complex nuances of the industry.

Michelle began her career as an accountant specializing in payroll, taxes, and government reporting, for a defense contractor in the 8A program in Huntsville. She left the traditional workforce upon the birth of her first daughter. During her time as a stay-at-home mom of three girls, she was a top-selling consultant, she worked as a part-time accountant for a nuclear engineering firm, and she founded a small business specializing in custom apparel selling in her online boutique, craft shows, and directly to organizations. Additionally, she spent extensive time volunteering to chair large fundraising galas raising nearly half a million dollars for her children’s schools. In 2014, Michelle returned to the traditional workforce full-time as the accounting manager, events coordinator, and membership director at a country club. She worked with all aspects of the organization to help the formerly bankrupt club become a thriving small business. Michelle truly loves working with SBDC clients. She utilizes her wealth of personal experience and friendly personality to help her clients realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

Business Advisor

Ronica Ondocsin, PE

Ronica has worked for more than 25 years in the fields of engineering, project management and business development with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, Alabama Department of Transportation and University of Alabama Huntsville.  She has a BS in Civil Engineering from UAH and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama with experience in site development, roadway design, and master planning and facility requirements development for large military and commercial/municipal projects.  Her service to the local community also includes six years as a member of the Madison City Council, which gives her a unique perspective on how new businesses are licensed, launched, and succeed in their communities.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Kris McBride

Ms. Kris McBride has an extensive background serving our community and in the Defense Industry. Kris retired as a V.P. of SAIC where she served as Deputy Program Manager (DPM) for $1B Systems Engineering Services contracts with over a hundred project teams and more than 2000 fulltime equivalent personnel from SAIC and 150+ funded subcontracted companies delivering systems, software, hardware, network, and test engineering, transition support, fielding and user support, training support, configuration management, quality engineering, senior level program support. Kris has extensive experience in the software industry serving as an Executive Manager for Intergraph, as President of Sigmatech, a Small Disadvanted Business. While at Intergraph, Kris managed several international projects and sales with the United Kingdom, Sweden, Singapore, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Kris has a BA in Computer Science and Mathematics (double major) from The University of Tennessee, and a MS Computer Science, The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Kris has served in several leadership positions including Board of Directors Chair for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Immediate Past President (Region) of the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA), President-Nominee of the Rotary Club of Madison, Alabama, and member of the Huntsville Committee of 100. Kris is committed to providing assistance and serving as a bridge between our small business community, prime contractors and government agencies.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Marc Jacobson

Mr. Marc Jacobson has an extensive background serving our community and in the Defense Industry. He recently retired from serving as the City Administrator with the city of Madison, AL, has served in leadership roles with the Chambers of Commerce and several community and non-profit boards of directors. Marc retired as a V.P. of SAIC managing over 900 employees, subcontractors and small businesses, providing engineering support for Army systems at Redstone Arsenal, with a portfolio valued at $165M in revenue. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel having served for 25 years in the Active and Army Reserves. Marc is Chapter Executive Vice President – Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), member/Past President – Rotary Club of Madison, board member/Past President – Better Business Bureau (BBB) of North Alabama and is a member of Committee 100. He has over 33 years working in government contracting.

Marc has a BS in Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a Master of Administrative Science (MAS) from Johns Hopkins University. He is a graduate of both Leadership Greater Huntsville and Leadership Alabama. Marc’s extensive experience managing programs from local, city and federal contracting. He is passionate about providing opportunities for growth in government contracting for our local small businesses and economy.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator

Todd Steigerwald

Mr. Todd Steigerwald is a native of Huntsville, AL and a USAF veteran with over 40 years’ experience working in the aerospace and defense industry. He has a strong working knowledge of government regulations and associated business policies and procedures. And has supported numerous R&D activities as well as high dollar USG and FMS missile production programs.
Todd started his career as a Contract Specialist in the USAF and then worked for several large businesses, ex. FMC, SCI, Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas and others. He subsequently started and/or helped grow numerous small businesses such as Steigerwald & Associates, Miltec, Venturi, Banner Defense and others. Todd’s career highlights include the support of critical DoD and NASA programs to include MDA’s THAAD Missile, the US Army’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and NASA’s SpaceHab and Hubble Space Telescope programs.
While working for large businesses, Todd held several contract and acquisition positions to include Sr. Contract Administrator, Pricing Manager, Subcontract Administrator and Price/Cost Analyst. Responsibilities ranged from submitting proposals and negotiating contracts to drafting Teaming Agreements, U.S. State Department Technical Assistance Agreements, etc. While supporting small businesses, Todd held key leadership positions and was responsible for the entire Business Operations to include Contracts, Pricing/Estimating, Accounting, Human Resources, Security, etc.
Todd holds undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University and a Master’s in Education from Auburn University. He is longtime member of the National Contract Management Association and is a Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM). Todd is a graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville (Class 22) and a strong advocate of the Autism at Work Program.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator

Mel Adams, Ph.D.

Mel Adams is an army veteran who gained broad national and international experience over the last 30 years in Huntsville.  In the 1990s, he assisted 60+ SBDC clients and led initial long-range planning efforts for boards of United Way, Huntsville, Land Trust of North Alabama, and Habitat for Humanity.  He is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville. As a charter member of the Alabama Technology Network, Dr. Adams helped dozens of clients across Alabama and the Southeast; many won Nunn-Perry or state quality awards, and he was recognized as National Practitioner of the Year 2000 by ModForm/Dept of Commerce MEP. He supported Mercedes Benz, Teledyne Brown, and Northrup Grumman, and initiated the Alabama Automotive Manufacturing Association. For several years, his own firm provided market research and business development services to small federal contractors to grow contract backlogs.

Adams’ recent experience includes 15 years assisting Redstone Arsenal agencies with strategic planning, lean implementation, and change management in acquisition, engineering, software engineering, aviation maintenance, cyber, missile manufacturing, and FMS. Mel led hundreds of lean kaizen and value stream mapping events in manufacturing firms and federal defense agencies, both nationally and internationally.  He is published in entrepreneurship, small business, high-tech management, continuous improvement, and modeling/simulation. Mel served on boards of directors for several high-tech startups, Huntsville’s homeless agency First Stop, Inc., and the board of trustees for his alma mater. He retired from UAH in 2007 and from Booz Allen Hamilton in 2018.  He earned his Ph.D. and MBA at the University of Tennessee in strategic management, finance, and marketing, and certificates in quality/six sigma, lean, and logistics.

The University of West Alabama

Donald Mills Alabama SBDC at UWA
Center Director

Donald Mills

Sarah Rose Alabama SBDC at UWA
Business Advisor

Sarah Rose

a woman smiling for the camera
Project Coordinator

Sheena Turner

Center Director

Donald Mills

Donald brings more than 30 years of small business development and management/marketing experience to his current position. He has served as Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UWA since September of 2007. He worked with the Small Business Development Center at Alabama State University as Procurement Specialist from 1987 to 1995. Donald was appointed Chairman of the Alabama Black Belt Commission’s Small Business Committee by Governor Bob Riley in 2009 and continued to serve in that position after being reconfirmed by Governor Robert Bentley until 2017.

Education & Certifications:

  • Pursuing an MBA at the University of West Alabama
  • BS Degree Business Management, Alabama State University
  • Associates Degree Bishop State Community College
  • Economic Development Certification, The University of Oklahoma
  • Delta Regional Authority’s Leadership Institute Leadership program
  • Authentic Leadership Delta Regional Authority
  • Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Executive Education Program
Business Advisor

Sarah Rose

Sarah Rose is a Business Advisor with the Alabama SBDC at UWA. She was first introduced to the SBDC as a graduate assistant through the UWA College of Business. Following her time as a graduate assistant, there was an opportunity available and she joined the Alabama SBDC full-time. Sarah has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis on Human Resource Management from the University of West Alabama.

Project Coordinator

Sheena Turner

Alabama State University

a person wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera
Center Director

Andrea Rogers Mosley

Cordero Young Alabama PTAC at Alabama State University
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Cordero Young

Stephen Langford - Business Advisors - Alabama SBDC at Alabama State University
Business Advisor

Stephen Langford

Center Director

Andrea Rogers Mosley

Andrea Rogers Mosley serves as center director for the Alabama SBDC at Alabama State University and has been with the network since 2010.  In 2021, she was recognized with the “State Star” award. This national award from America’s SBDC recognizes those who demonstrate exemplary performance, make significant contributions to their networks, and are deeply committed to the success of America’s small businesses. Andrea is passionate about helping small businesses survive and thrive.

She previously owned a solopreneur virtual assistance and web design company for seven years before working with the SBDC. Andrea is active in the community and currently serves as an advisory council member of the Lowndes County Area Chamber of Commerce and an appointed commissioner with the Montgomery Housing Authority. She has served as a Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce board member and Roundtable facilitator for the Women in Business Conversations.

Andrea honorably served as an active duty service member in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989 to 1993 and is a Desert Shield and Desert Storm Veteran. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from Troy University and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Services: Counseling Business from Liberty University. She loves traveling with her husband and spending quality time with their children and family.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Cordero Young

Cordero Young is a Procurement Specialist with the APEX Accelerator of Alabama at ASU.  Before joining the APEX team, he worked in procurement at the State and City levels helping small businesses secure contract opportunities.  Young is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Business Management at ASU.

Business Advisor

Stephen Langford

Stephen Langford is a Business Advisor with the Alabama SBDC in Montgomery, Alabama, at Alabama State University. Stephen has leveraged his expertise in education and state government for the past 25 years with the Alabama Department of Human Services, Georgia Department of Human Services, Troy University, and Montgomery Public Schools.  He has been a small business owner since 2000 and an alumnus of Alabama State University with a bachelor’s degree in education.

University of North Alabama

Kimberly-Hughston-UNA SBDC
Center Director

Kimberly Hughston

Michael Butz alabama sbdc at UNA
Associate Director/Business Advisor

Michael Butz

Phillip Marks Alabama PTAC
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Phillip Marks

Susan Adams Alabama PTAC
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Susan Adams

Center Director

Kimberly Hughston

Born and raised in the Shoals, Kimberly joined the Alabama SBDC at UNA as its first full-time Director. Her previous career path has always been in small business settings. She has varied knowledge that ranges from the pre-venture phase to becoming an established business. She specializes in marketing and enjoys helping small businesses get connected in the community. Kimberly has Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a MBA from the University of North Alabama, with a focus on Marketing.

Associate Director/Business Advisor

Michael Butz

Michael Butz is the Associate Center Director for Alabama SBDC at the University of North Alabama. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from University of North Alabama and was a 3 year letterman with Lion Athletics. Since 2008, he has worked in the start-up business sector with a few different entities, where his responsibilities were primarily focused on the accounting and human resource management of the companies. From 2019 to 2021, he oversaw the financial reporting of 14 small businesses in the Shoals community. The 9 years prior to that, he was an integral part of a small team that expanded a clothing brand from 3 stores to 13 stores including a wholesale and e-commerce division. Additionally, as foster parents with the Alabama Dept of Human Resources, he and his family love to bring joy and spiritual blessings to children in the Shoals community.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Phillip Marks

Phillip Marks is a Procurement Specialist for the APEX Accelerator of Alabama in Florence, AL. His responsibilities include working with small businesses in the nine-county service area to assist with government contracting, assisting businesses in determining government contracting opportunities and helping them to do business with the federal agencies, prime contractors and state agencies. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master’s in Business Administration from UNA. Phillip is a certified Associate Contracting Assistance Specialist with the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. Phillip has past experience in advertising sales with Comcast and retail store management in the grocery industry.

 

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Susan Adams

Susan has worked in a multitude of industries in HR, Marketing, Management, and Sales, including Pharmaceuticals, as well as having teaching and administrative experience in both High School and University arenas.

Susan has undergraduate degrees from the University of North Alabama in Biology, Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, with teaching certifications in Elementary and Secondary. Her MBA is from the University of Memphis in the specializations of Marketing and Management. Susan did post-graduate work at Vanderbilt in the areas of Human Resources and Training.

Coming from a family of small business owners, and having been a former business owner herself, Susan knows the needs of the small business community and has been able to use her education and experience to help entrepreneurs and small business owners prepare for government contracting. As a life-long learner, consummate fundraiser, and volunteer, she is always taking opportunities to learn and connect with others.

Susan has recently been selected as President of the University of North Alabama Alumni Association and holds leadership roles with Rotary and serves on the Professional Staff Assembly at the University of Alabama.

Troy University

juliana bolivar alabama SBDC troy university
Center Director / Lead Business Advisor

Juliana Bolivar

Kerstin Stokes Troy SBDC

Kerstin Stokes

Center Director / Lead Business Advisor

Juliana Bolivar

Juliana Bolivar is no stranger to business and entrepreneurship. Having been raised by small business owners, she had a front-row seat to the successes and failures inherent to running a business, and started her own business at the age of 16. She currently serves as the center director of the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network at Troy University, bringing to her role ten years as a small business consultant. She has become sought-after for her ability to come alongside business owners as they work to design and implement innovative solutions to drive start-up success and revenue growth. Her brand development strategies have gotten results for business owners in various industries from hospitality, restaurants, travel, athletics, to daycares, beauty, and personal branding.
In addition to her proven skills as a business leader, Juliana serves as a member of the board of directors of Turning Point, a non-profit working to end domestic violence. In this role, Juliana has driven organizational decision-making as well as doubled donations, and secured new local business partners. Juliana is fluent in Spanish.

Kerstin Stokes

Kerstin Stokes joined the Alabama SBDC at Troy University in February 2022. In her role as a program assistant, she is the first point of contact at the office and handles administrative operations.

Mrs. Stokes is a certified associate in project management (CAPM) and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

She comes with a strong background in administrative and accounting/ bookkeeping operations from her previous experience with the diplomatic service, serving in multiple countries all over the world. Having an entrepreneurial spirit herself, she is aware of the problems small business owners face and is always happy to connect and support in any way she can.

Auburn University

Lindsay Bridges Alabama SBDC at Auburn University
Regional Manager

Lindsay Bridges

Larkin Jones Alabama SBDC at Auburn
Business Advisor

Larkin A. Jones

Regional Manager

Lindsay Bridges

Lindsay Bridges has worked as a business advisor since 2009. Prior to joining the Alabama SBDC, she started a consulting business specializing in research and writing services. Lindsay has a Bachelor’s degree in History from Samford University, a Master’s degree in History from Auburn University, and a JD from Cumberland School of Law. She loves her job with the Alabama SBDC because she is continually learning. Lindsay enjoys researching various topics for clients and advises on a variety of subjects, including startup, financing, and feasibility.

Business Advisor

Larkin A. Jones

Larkin Jones is a Business Advisor for the Alabama SBDC at Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama.

Previously, Larkin worked as a Consultant for Accenture working with numerous Fortune 500 companies across the United States, Europe and Asia. She draws from her diverse experience and knowledge bringing creative perspectives in developing effective business processes and tools for her EVERY client to succeed. In every industry. Together with her husband, she is currently involved in numerous entrepreneurial ventures in Alabama and Florida.

South Alabama

a man wearing a suit and tie
Regional Manager

Mel Washington

a woman who is smiling and looking at the camera
Business Advisor

Yolanda ‘Yo’ Johnson

Gerald Dunlop Alabama PTAC
Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Gerald Dunlop

Regional Manager

Mel Washington

Mel is the Regional Manager of the Alabama SBDC in South Alabama, where he provides one on one confidential counseling to aspiring and existing small business owners in six counties in South Alabama. He is also the former Executive Director & CEO of Project Enterprise, a micro-lending organization supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in under-resourced communities in New York City.

Mr. Washington holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, a Masters in Business Administration from New York University and completed the Administration Executive Education Program at Wharton School of Business. He has held executive level positions in Finance, Operations, and Strategy and Planning in the financial services and telecommunications sectors. His career includes successful stints at top tier firms including AT&T, Salomon Brothers, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, and Citibank.

Mr. Washington has demonstrated a strong commitment to community and economic development throughout his career, and has served on the Boards of several organizations in Mobile and the New York City Area. He is the former Chairman and current member of the Board of Directors for Prichard Preparatory School; member of the Community Development Advisory Council for Hancock Whitney Bank; member of the Board of Directors for Innovation Portal; member of the Advisory Board for the Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at USA; member of the Board of Directors for The Mobile Ballet; former member of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama; former Vice President of the Board of Mobile Baykeeper; and formerly on the Boards of LiftFund in Austin Texas, the Gulf Coast Angel Network, and the History Museum of Mobile. He was also a judge for Alabama Launchpad 2013 & 2015, a state-wide competition that offers up to $250,000 to high-growth and innovative startups across Alabama.

Mr. Washington is also active in several entrepreneur programs at the University of South Alabama: Teaching Team Member for the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps); Minority Business Accelerator Program; and Minority Business Development Program. In addition, he is an Expert in Residence at Innovation Portal, a non-profit incubator and innovation hub accelerating startup growth in Southwest Alabama and the central Gulf Coast.

Business Advisor

Yolanda ‘Yo’ Johnson

Yolanda “Yo” Johnson, Business Advisor, started with the Alabama SBDC program in 1989 as the first procurement specialist in West Alabama then had a couple year stint as Director of the center located at the University of West Alabama. She returned to the network as a Business Advisor in 2014 after gaining extensive experience in non-profit management, business development and leadership in the architectural, engineering and construction industries, and after starting her own leadership consulting company. Yo holds undergraduate degree in Business Management from Auburn University, master’s degree in Business Education from University of West Alabama and extensive post graduate work in Economic Development from Auburn University, University of Oklahoma and University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is a 6th generation native to Coastal Alabama and is passionate about her community.

Procurement Specialist APEX Accelerator of Alabama

Gerald Dunlop

Gerald Dunlop is the Procurement Specialist for an eight-county area in southwest Alabama. He assists businesses with registering in the System for Award Management (SAM) and applying for the 8(a) Business Development Program, HUBZone certification, Woman-Owned Small Business certification, as well as other certifications. He also assists clients with locating bid opportunities and preparing bid proposals. He is a Certified Procurement Professional and a Level III Certified Contracting Assistance Specialist with the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, the professional organization of procurement technical assistance programs. He is also a VA Certification Counselor and a Certified Business Advisor with ASBDC. He has been with the Network since 1999. Prior to that, he was a journalist for many years. He has an MBA in management and a BA in journalism.

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