Our Leadership Team
Our team is dedicated to providing the tools and resources needed to help your business succeed.
Lead Center Team
J.D. Collins
State Director
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As State Director of the Michigan SBDC, J.D. Collins leads the statewide team in pursuit of their mission to enhance Michigan’s economic wellbeing through consulting, training, and market research for new ventures, existing small businesses and advanced technology companies. Leveraging 20+ years of executive leadership experience in both small businesses and large corporations, Collins oversees the SBDC’s human, financial and administrative resources, as well as key stakeholder relationships.
Collins is passionate about serving the small business community and continuing the SBDC’s innovative approach to helping business owners and entrepreneurs.
J.D. earned his MBA from the University of Notre Dame and Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Management from Albion College.
Josh Billington
Assistant State Director, Strategic Innovation
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Joshua has had an extensive career in publishing, banking, real estate and non-profit organizations. A veteran of the US Navy, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Park University and an MBA from Cornerstone University. He is a member of Rotary International and sits on the Board of the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chippewa County Community Foundation. His areas of expertise include Finance, Marketing, Strategic Planning and Organizational Operations.
Sienna Mavima
Assistant State Director
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Sienna is responsible for data and information management of the SBDC network and has been part of our team for 10 years. She collects all data that goes into the network’s financial and narrative reports. She is also responsible for the performance systems that ensure the network is operating effectively and efficiently, consistent with the network’s strategic plan, ASBDC accreditation standards and the SBA cooperative agreement.
Prior to joining our team, Sienna served as an instructional design consultant in another department of Grand Valley State University. Before coming to GVSU, she served as a teaching assistant at Florida State University, where she taught a graduate course in systems approach to change management.
Sienna received her Bachelor of Arts in education and her professional teacher’s certification from the University of Zimbabwe. She also earned her master’s degree in instructional system design from Florida State University and is passionate about issues of curriculum design and human capital development.
Lizz Hellinga
Assistant State Director, Technology, Strategy & Operations
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Lizz Hellinga has over 12+ years of working in the Salesforce ecosystem. Her wheelhouse is working with organizations that are in the startup or growth stage that are quickly scaling. She balances the immediate business needs for a company’s Salesforce instance and its related tech stack with the need for flexibility to meet future business needs as they scale. Lizz enjoys solving the challenges startups and early-stage companies face such as when and how to automate, what apps to integrate with Salesforce, changing reporting needs, and end-user adoption. She’s collaborated with the founders, C-Suite executives, and Sales/Marketing leadership and Revenue Operations to help design Salesforce to meet their company’s unique business needs.
She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from DePaul University. She also serves as a board member for the Holland Community Theatre.
Beth Roszatycki
Chief Client Services Officer
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Beth is the Chief Client Services Officer of the Michigan SBDC, after having served as Regional Director of the Lake Huron Region.
Roszatycki joined the SBDC after serving as chief executive officer of Michigan Health Improvement Alliance, Inc. During the last three years of her tenure with MiHIA, Roszatycki spent much of her time focused on THRIVE (Transforming Health In a Vibrant Economy), a co-led, collaborative effort fueled by the recognition that our population’s health and a robust economy are interdependent of each other. Roszatycki also worked in a variety of roles with Bay Arenac Behavioral Health, including as administrative services supervisor.
Roszatycki earned a master’s degree in business administration from SVSU. She also received a bachelor’s degree in merchandise management from Michigan State University. Beth grew up in an entrepreneurial family in Bay City, Michigan and continues to support the small business community.
Ian Rogers
Training Manager
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Ian Rogers manages the strategy and implementation of the Michigan SBDC’s statewide business education programs, focusing primarily on online education.
Ian holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Grand Valley State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University.
The majority of Ian’s career has focused on developing and implementing innovative, outcomes-based approaches to learning and development in fields including philanthropy, healthcare, information technology, and entrepreneurship.
Nora Vollmer
Office Assistant
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Nora Vollmer is the Office Assistant at the Michigan Small Business Development Center. She is responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to the Michigan SBDC State Director and Leadership Team. Nora is also responsible for coordinating, planning, managing and supporting daily operational and administrative functions to advance the Michigan SBDC statewide organization.
Nora began her career in a family-owned small business and has over ten years of experience in administrative assistant roles. Nora was a Student Office Assistant for the West Michigan Region Small Business Development Center from 2012-2015 and was the West Michigan Region SBDC’s Program Coordinator from 2015-2019. Nora obtained her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Meeting and Event Planning.
Scott Taber
Cybersecurity Awareness Program Specialist
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Scott is a cyber-security professional passionate about raising awareness of everyday cyber threats and trends.
Prior to joining the Michigan SBDC, Scott served as an IT Security Analyst at Ferris State University for 3 years. As an IT Security Analyst, he managed full disk encryption, mobile device management, Office365 security policies, and provided security awareness training through multiple platforms. He has assisted with incident response, vulnerability and risk assessments, data loss prevention, and data security access.
Scott graduated from Ferris State University in 2012 with a degree in Information Security and Intelligence and obtained a program certificate in Geographic Information Systems. He also received a degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University in 2009.
Jim McLain
Growth Team Manager
Jim McLain joined the SBDC after a +25-year career at Amway which took him all over the world in various marketing roles. He has deep and broad experience developing & executing cross-functional marketing strategies and customer experiences that drive Growth, including digital and social media activities, marketing analytics and insights, strategic planning, team leadership & collaboration, networking and presentation, user interface/user experience development, and CRM implementation. His passion for small business and gifted ability to help entrepreneurs connect with their target market, hear the voice of the customer, and tell their story through words and images across multiple channels makes him an incredibly valuable thought partner at every stage of the business journey.
Alain Piette
Technology Team Manager
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Alain brings extensive experience in organizational development, manufacturing, R&D, market development, technology transfer and international expansion to the Michigan SBDC technology team.
He most recently served as president of an advanced manufacturing company, which was a technology spinout from a large automotive supplier. His activities included marketing and commercialization and leading the advanced R&D activities. The company focused its efforts in the aerospace, military and transportation industries.
Alain has also worked in Europe, Southern Africa, and Central and South America for international corporations such as DuPont, Sherwin Williams and Kongsberg Automotive. He has been involved with turn-around, startup and M&A activities.
Alain holds a BSBA and MBA from Wayne State University.
Jeanne LaSargeBono
Director, Finance & Grants
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Jeanne LaSargeBono is the Director of Finance & Grants. In her role, Jeanne is providing funding strategies and opportunities for local corporations, community leaders, and donors to support the critical work of the SBDC long into the future. This includes funding for urgent support services that the SBDC is providing due to the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeanne joined the SBDC from the American Heart Association where she served as the Executive Director of the West Michigan region. In this role she worked with a dedicated staff and volunteers, generous corporations, local foundations, and inspiring survivors across West Michigan to support the work of the American Heart Association to save more lives from heart disease, stroke, and the vascular complications of COVID-19.
Prior to her role with the AHA, Jeanne was the Business Director with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, a national non-profit headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Phoenix Society works with burn survivors and their loved ones, healthcare professionals, fire service professionals and donors to support psychosocial burn recovery, improve the quality of burn care, and prevent burn injuries. While there, she directed business operations of the Phoenix Society including marketing and communications, digital strategy, finance, HR, non-profit administration, IT and database systems, strategic planning, and professional development initiatives.
Jeanne has been a licensed commercial real estate agent, formerly affiliated with Callander Commercial Real Estate. She brings extensive background in executive leadership and retail management from Meijer in her former role as Vice President of Corporate Administration at Meijer, directing operations of multiple corporate office sites with 6 direct reports and over 450 indirect reports and as Regional Vice President of Michigan Operations with 10 direct reports and over 25,000 indirect reports responsible for over $3.9 billion in sales.
Nancy Kooienga
Marketing & Communications Director
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Nancy is responsible for overall marketing strategy and development of integrated marketing communications to support the MI-SBDC’s mission of helping Michigan small businesses succeed. In her role as brand champion, she oversees all stakeholder communications for the state level while supporting 10 regions and two regional centers.
Before joining the MI-SBDC, Nancy was an independent marketing consultant for five years, empowering both B2C and B2B clients. In addition, she has held corporate marketing positions at Van Andel Institute, Sassy Baby Products, Calvin College and Target. Nancy also was a V.P., Account Supervisor in marketing agencies of record for clients including General Mills, UnitedHealthcare, MoneyGram, Heinz, St. Ives, OxiClean, PUR and BISSELL.
Nancy has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Calvin University.
Sarah Cochrane
Marketing & Communications Specialist
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As Marketing and Communication Specialist, Sarah is responsible for design, social media and marketing communications needs. She supports internal and external communication efforts to increase brand awareness for the organization. Sarah’s passion for nonprofits and small businesses led her to join the Michigan SBDC.
Before her role with the Michigan SBDC, Sarah was the Marketing Manager for the Gaillard Center, a nonprofit performing arts center in Charleston, South Carolina. She acted as the sole designer for the organization, creating all internal and external marketing materials for their Education and Community Outreach program, various touring productions, and development efforts. Sarah also worked as a Marketing Coordinator for a startup nonprofit associated with MUSC’s Office for Research Development and as a Junior Art Director at various advertising agencies.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Advertising from Michigan State University.
Regional Directors
Laurie Lonsdorf
Regional Director – Capital Region
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Laurie channels her first-hand experience as a former business owner into a passion for helping others to start up, run and market their companies. For 12 years she ran Persuasive Communications, her marketing consultancy located in Seattle, where she created hundreds of strategic marketing and branding projects for companies of all shapes and sizes. While she has worked with many of that area’s behemoths, it’s the “little guys” she always got the biggest charge out of helping, seeing how small, consistent marketing changes could dramatically impact their bottom lines. Today, Laurie provides one-on-one business counseling and delivers a range of business training focused on startup and marketing issues, including Marketing Mondays lunch & learn series, Branding Toolkit for the Small Business Owner, Working for Yourself, Turn Your Hobby into a Business and Learn to Network Like a Pro. Her areas of expertise include marketing, copywriting, and networking.
Chris Vieau
Regional Director – Lake Huron Region
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Chris has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA from Central Michigan University. He spent 27 years with Dow Chemical with global leadership experience in Accounting and Supply Chain activity. He moved on to Chemical Bank for 4 years leading their Business Excellence team driving process improvement across the enterprise leading to significant growth. He also has experience in the healthcare industry having spent the final 3 years of his career as the Supply Chain Director for MidMichigan Health. He has a passion for using data and analytics to drive improvement to processes which get reflected in the bottom line.
Chris is married with 3 adult children. He enjoys spending time with his family, a good craft beer (ambers are my favorite), college football Saturdays in the fall, and constantly trying to become a scratch golfer.
Michael Nunneley
Associate Regional Director – Lake Huron Region
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Michael has worked with the SBDC for three years helping hundreds of businesses of all shapes and sizes. Prior to that, Mike was a commercial banker/lender helping start-ups and multi-million dollar businesses with their banking and lending needs. Before becoming a banker, for twelve years he owned two professional photography studios and photo centers in Alpena and Oscoda. Mike also worked for Anhauser Busch and grew up in his parents’ pharmacy business that just celebrated fifty years in business. He also served five years as an Alpena City Councilman and six years as an Alpena County Commissioner. Mike also worked as an instructor at Alpena Community College in addition to coaching multiple youth sports teams and authoring multiple books on personal finance and hunting, fishing and the outdoor arts.
Ron Stevens
Regional Director – Greater Washtenaw Region
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Ron entered the MI-SBDC in 2007 as a Senior Business Consultant in the Greater Washtenaw Region, where he’s helped guide hundreds of businesses through the startup process and beyond. Ron was promoted to Associate Regional Director in 2013. In addition, he has received professional certification as a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional and is part of the SBDC’s State Export Assistance Team. His areas of expertise include retail, restaurants, breweries, budgeting, and exporting.
Shawn Preissle
Associate Regional Director – Greater Washtenaw Region
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Senior Business Consultant guiding entrepreneurs and small businesses to start and stay in business. Formerly, an entrepreneur with over nine years of experience in business management, event planning, marketing, communications, accounting and kitchen management.
Janis Mueller
Regional Director – I-69 Trade Corridor Region
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Janis Mueller serves as the Regional Director for the I-69 Trade Corridor Region, hosted at Kettering University. Previously, Janis served as a Senior Business Consultant for the SBTDC North Carolina in Wilmington and served as an interim regional director there for almost a year. Janis is passionate about entrepreneurship in the Flint area, as well as collaborating with the resource partners in the community and region. She has a wealth of family-business ownership experience, international expertise, and some advanced certifications. Janis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and German from Eastern Michigan University and is working toward her Masters of Business Administration through the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Tony Fox
Regional Director – Mid Michigan Region
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Tony Fox serves as Regional Director for the Mid Michigan Region of the Michigan SBDC. Prior to joining the SBDC, Tony owned and operated a residential construction company in the Central Michigan area. He earned both his undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship and graduate degree in Administration during his time prior at Central Michigan University. In addition to maintaining current status related to his Michigan Residential Building License, Tony also maintains Certified Global Business Professional status through NASBITE International. Tony has been with the SBDC at Mid Michigan College since 2006.
Wendy Thomas
Regional Director – Southeast Region
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Wendy Thomas is the Regional Director of the Southeast Michigan Region. She has been with the network for over 20 years and has served in leadership, consulting, training, and administrative roles.
Wendy has counseled hundreds of start-ups and existing businesses over the years resulting in clients obtaining financing as well as launching and growing their small businesses. She assists clients by using her problem solving skills and expertise in the key business areas of marketing, financing, and business planning. Wendy also serves on several small business advisory boards and committees.
Wendy was named Small Business Consultant of the Year by the Small Business Administration. It was the first time that this award had been given to a SBDC consultant. She received recognition for Outstanding Volunteer for the CEED Detroit Loan Program and Michigan Small Business Center of Excellence and Innovation Award. Wendy is also certified as a Small Business Consultant and a Small Business Administration Export Trade Specialist.
Wendy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Michigan State University, Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Entrepreneurship, and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Eastern Michigan University. Wendy is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies. She also complimented her academic achievements with studying business practices abroad in Asia and Europe including China, England and France.
Laura Maronhic
Regional Director – Upper Peninsula Region
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Laura Marohnic, MBA, CGBP is the MI-SBDC Regional Director covering the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She specializes in financial analysis, loan package preparations, and is a Certified Global Business Professional with NASBITE. Her other areas of experience include human resource management, purchasing, medical credentialing, system analysis, retail sales, inventory control, and manufacturing.
Laura grew up in Upper Michigan working in a family retail business. She has experience in both for profit and non-profit businesses as well as past experience as a small business owner of a retail party store and a small trucking operation. She worked with the SBDC in New Mexico prior to returning to Michigan bringing experience and tools to the MI-SBDC.
Ed Garner
Regional Director – West Michigan SBDC
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Ed Garner serves as the Regional Director of the West Michigan SBDC. He previously served as President/CEO of Muskegon Area First, a private, non-profit corporation serving all of Muskegon County. Garner is currently the Board President of the Urban League of Greater Muskegon and the Board Treasurer for the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District. During his career, Ed has been recognized for having the best Satellite SBTDC Center in 1999 and the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1998. Garner has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Western Michigan University and Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from Michigan State University.
Bonnie Gabriel
Regional Director – Southwest Michigan SBDC
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Bonnie Gabriel recently joined the MI-SBDC to serve as the Regional Director for the Southwest Michigan Region, hosted at Western Michigan University. Bonnie will be responsible for leadership, oversight, planning, resource development, coordination, and management of the regional office. Previously, Bonnie served as the Business Manager for the Office of Research and Innovation at Western Michigan University. She was responsible for managing the operating budget, analyzing research data, and performing trend analysis. Prior to joining WMU, she worked for nearly 20 years at Hewlett Packard Enterprise as a Senior Financial Analyst. Bonnie has a Master of Science in Finance degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management from Walsh College. She has a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification and is currently working towards her Doctor of Business Administration degree.
Matthew Welch
Regional Director – Northwest Michigan SBDC
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Matthew Welch serves as Regional Director for the Northwest Region of the Michigan SBDC. His passion for working with small businesses began at a young age with his family business; Matthew led strategy, partnership, and stakeholder engagement for the sustainability efforts of the U.S. dairy industry; ran a profitable retail food business; assisted small-scale agribusinesses in Peru with the U.S. Peace Corps; conducted revenue-generation projects for nonprofit organizations; and consulted for Fortune 500 companies, social enterprises, and start-up businesses, including Pepsico, Ecolab, and Procter & Gamble.
Matthew has a BA in international studies from DePaul University and two master’s degrees from the University of Michigan: an MBA from the Ross School of Business and an MS from the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). He is co-author of Hybrid Organizations: New Business Models for Environmental Leadership.
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