The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a division of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), provides the small businesses and entrepreneurs in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties with business assistance services from a variety of locations in the Inland Empire.
SBDC Business Consultants work with your business in a confidential, one-on-one relationship. Consultants offer their guidance and expertise to help you build a better business. Consulting services are also available in Spanish. For startup businesses, the SBDC and SCORE offer special programs.
Taught by SBDC Business Consultants and experts in various fields, the SBDC's low cost, informative seminars and workshops are designed to give small business owners immediate knowledge they can put into action in running their businesses. Each business has its own particular needs. The SBDC recognizes that by offering specialized services and programs.
Information is vital in today's business world! The SBDC offers information resources to small business by providing an extensive small business library, computer lab with Internet access, Internet Web site, and referral lists. In addition, the SBDC serves as a link to other public and private sector organizations and programs.
Vincent McCoy – Executive Director
Vincent is responsible for operations, program development and management, fundraising, and staff supervision. Vincent joined the SBDC team in 2000 Vincent has a diverse business and technical background, and he also teaches Small Business Management and Marketing at Victor Valley College. He holds a BA in Accounting from California State University Hayward and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Northeastern University.
Alan Elgendy – International Trade Manager
As a Trade Manager, Mr. Elgendy is responsible with assisting Small to mid size business export their products and services overseas. Alan holds Masters Degree in International Political Economy & Bachelor’s Degree in International Business Management, both from California State University, San Bernardino. Alan joined the SBDC team in 1999.
Al Gohary – Business Consultant
Al Gohary is a General Business Consultant with the SBDC. Prior to joining the SBDC, Al helped in starting, managing and growing two Inland Empire small business companies one of which went public in June of 2000. His background includes over 6 years in Business Administration, Financing & Accounting. Mr. Gohary holds 2 bachelor degrees in Science & Business Administration and is a Quickbooks Certified Specialist.
Colleen Gross – Administrative Assistant (Coachella Valley)
Colleen is the very first member of the SBDC team who worked in the Riverside office from 1991 until 1999, when she moved to the Coachella Valley office. Colleen has a tremendous knowledge of the SBDC program and keeps the office running smoothly in Palm Springs.
Jennifer Hoff – Training Coordinator
Jennifer joined the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center in November
of 2001 as the Administrative Assistant and Training Coordinator for the Inland
Empire SBDC's West End office in Ontario. She was promoted to Training
Coordinator for the Main office in July of 2004. Jennifer brings with
her over five years of customer service experience in the automotive industry
where she worked as a Warranty Administrator, Cashier, Customer Relations Assistant,
and Accounts Receivable Clerk, and uses her various skills in handling the
centers small business training events.
Aida Hurtado – Administrative Manager
Aida graduated in 2005 from the University of California in Riverside. She manages the
various administrative functions of the SBDC, as well as interfaces with the SBDC's
Resource Partners and Advisory Board. Aida also oversees the SBDC internship program.
Allen Jaszcar – Senior Business Consultant
Al joined the SBDC team in 2000. Al came to the SBDC with a strong consulting background and knowledge of emerging technologies. Al is based in the Riverside office, but provides service to small businesses to the Murrieta, Temecula, and Lake Elsinore area each Thursday at a part time Outreach office located in Murrieta. Al holds a BA In Business and a Masters in Health Services from California State University, San Bernardino.
Louisa Miller – Business Consultant (Inland Empire North)
Louisa joined the SBDC team in November 2001. She brings over twenty years experience in providing services to small businesses in various industries. Louisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lock Haven State College (University of Pennsylvania). Louisa has been a resident of the High Desert since 1990.
Brad Mix – Business Consultant (Coachella Valley)
Brad joined the SBDC team in 1993, and has done an outstanding job of making the SBDC the premier small business resource in the Coachella Valley region. Brad has a strong background in finance and accounting, and is the SBDC's most experienced consultant. He holds a BS in Accounting from Rider University.
Paul Nolta – Business Consultant
After serving this county in the Air Force, Paul graduated from San Francisco State
University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with an Emphasis
in Finance and a Minor in Entrepreneurship. He previously worked as a financial
advisor and enrollment manager for a major benefits administration company. He has
an extensive background in financial analysis and business planning.
Tina Nuño – Bilingual Administrative Assistant
Veronica Kusudo – Administrative Assistant
Tina and Veronica work in the front office greeting visitors, scheduling appointments,
assisting clients on the phone, and scheduling and confirming seminar attendance.
Jean Thomas – Administrative Assistant (Inland Empire North)
Jean joined the SBDC team in June 2003. She has 15 years experience
in Customer Service and over 10 years experience providing administrative support. Jean
also spent over 6 years managing phone and voicemail systems. She has worked
in a variety of industries such as chemical, air filtration, freight forwarding,
medical, and software development.
Robert Usher – Business Consultant
Robert joined the SBDC in 2000 after working for Southland Corporation
(7-Eleven Stores) as a Field Consultant, where he assisted franchise owners
in improving the operations of their stores. Robert managed the Inland Empire
West SBDC office in Ontario during its operation, and currently works as a
field consultant out of two Outreach offices in Chino and Rancho Cucamonga.
Robert holds a BA in Business from California State University, Fullerton.
Chair Tony Mize Native Building Corporation |
Vice Chair Steve Birdwell IncorTech |
Gwen Bedics Desert Community Bank |
Julie Phillip TMC Development |
Howard Fields City of Riverside Development Department |
Rob Moran County of Riverside EDA |
Max Bosetti SCORE |
Michael Whyte Southern CA Edison |
Mitch Slagerman City of Moreno Valley |
Marc Hlavaty Vividlizard |
Marek Le Blanc Le Blanc Enterprises |
Mark Hedges UManageIt |
Greg Bennett Bennett and Bennett, APC |
William Carney Ex-Officio – IEEP |
Rachel Baranick Ex-Officio – SBA |
Vi Pham Ex-Officio – Tri-County Lead SBDC |
