Our Team

Biographical Summary
More than 15 years of experience with the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center. Previous experience includes teaching MBA and undergraduate courses in international trade and market research and over 20 years as a senior-level manager.

Areas of Expertise

Management, online learning, entrepreneurship, and business strategy.

Educational Background  

Doctorate in Adult Education, Penn State University, State College, PA  

Master of Business Administration, Penn State University, State College, PA

Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics and Psychology, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA

Biographical Summary
Graduated from Kutztown University in 2012, with an MBA and from Albright College in 2010 with a B.S. in Accounting, minor in Finance. She is currently working as the Associate State Director of Programs & Policy for the PA Small Business Development Centers. Sonya is responsible for the design, implementation and review of programs to enhance the delivery of services to small businesses in Pennsylvania by the PASBDC Network.

Areas of Expertise

Business/Program Management, Financial Analysis, Budgets, Leadership.

Educational Background

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Kutztown University, PA

Bachelor of Science - Accounting and Finance, Albright College, Reading, PA

Biographical Summary

Top-performing sales representative with proven track record in developing and leading revenue generation through expertise in business development and client relationship building. Accomplished presenter, strong communicator, influential negotiator and team builder; able to consistently forge and cultivate profitable client relationships despite competitive markets. History of identifying new business opportunities, creating successful marketing and implementation strategies and driving consistent market share increases.

Areas of Expertise

Customer Retention, Talent Management, Human Capital, Project Management, Teacher Training, Customer Engagement, Creative Direction, Sales Management, Technology, Team Leadership, Technical Recruiting, Strategic Partnerships

Educational Background

Master of Education (M. Ed.), Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities, DeSales University

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Muhlenberg College

Associate in Business Management, Lehigh Carbon Community College

Advanced Certificate, Business Administration and Management, General, Allentown Business School

Biographical Summary

More than 15 years international and general business consulting with the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center. Previous experience in international trade banking and the export of food, equipment, chemicals, and disposables.

Areas of Expertise

Country risk analysis, trade finance payment mechanisms, cross-border risk mitigation, effective negotiation techniques, strategic and market planning, website evaluation, distributor agreements, pitch presentations, intern assistance, and effective trade show techniques.

Educational Background

Master of Arts in Middle East Area Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies, London University, London, U.K.

Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service in International Affairs, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Banking School, First National Bank of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Certified Global Business Professional, NASBITE

Biographical Summary

Over 13 years of experience as a government sales and administration manager. Has been a government procurement specialist with the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center since August 2015.

Areas of Expertise

Government sales, government marketing, management, and human resources.

Educational Background

Bachelor in Business Management/HR Management, Alvernia University, Reading, PA

Biographical Summary

Over 20 years of experience as a business and sales manager. Former SCORE Chapter Operations Manager. Has been with the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center since 2013.

Areas of Expertise

Entrepreneurship, strategic planning, government marketing, management, start-ups, budgeting, financial analysis, cash flow management, new business development, sales management, and public relations.

Educational Background

Bachelor of Arts in Economics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Biographical Summary

Over 25 years of experience administering local, state, and federal incentive loan programs in the public, non-profit, and private sectors. Extensive knowledge of Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs (7(a) and 504), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania loan programs, and USDA Business and Industry loan program.

Areas of Expertise

Loan structuring, credit analysis, loan underwriting, business plans, strategic planning, and technology commercialization.

Educational Background

Master of Business Administration, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA

National Development Council, Business Credit Analysis, Chicago, IL

PA Bankers Association Central Atlantic School of Commercial Lending, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

Biographical Summary

Experienced Systems Administrator with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in EMC Storage, Perl, Oracle Database Administration, Linux System Administration, and ITIL. Strong engineering professional graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Areas of Expertise

Information Technology, Software, Digital Currency/Cryptocurrency, Linux Administration, Windows Administration, Oracle

Educational Background 

BS in Information Technology - Kutztown University, PA

Biographical Summary

Business Consultant at the KUSBDC/PA SBDC Lead Office specializing in IT.  Client-facing experience consists of 3+ years of conducting Website Reports, Web Design/Development, and consulting clients on a wide array of Technology & Social Media topics. Internally, Robert maintains data integrity for the PA SBDC network, leverages network website/search analytics, and processes mountains of data through MS Excel.

Areas of Expertise

Information Technology, Website Design/Development, SEO, Social Media.

Educational Background

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A), Kutztown University, PA

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Kutztown University, PA

Computer Science Minor, Kutztown University, PA

Biographical Summary

Kutztown SBDC recently became the lead SBDC office for Pennsylvania. In her new role at the SBDC, MArcia will will utilize her 29 years of commercial lending experience, primarily focused in SBA lending, to assist in training financial partners across the network in commercial credit analysis. Another focus will be assisting growth companies in capital access.

Areas of Expertise

SBA Lending, Finance, Training, Credit Analysis

Educational Background 

Bachelor's Degree in Finance, English and Spanish, Albright College, Reading, PA

Biographical Summary

Carly has dedicated over two decades helping businesses and nonprofits grow their brand, build customer relationships, and increase website and foot traffic. Specializing in adult education, Carly enjoys connecting clients with the best resources to launch their business and increase their business's success.

Areas of Expertise

Social media, business planning, advertising, marketing, focus groups, branding, customer service, visual merchandising, event planning, graphic design and retail management.

Educational Background  

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH

Associate of Arts and Sciences, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, PA