Our Team
Meet 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
I 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 a proven track record in developing and leading revenue generation through expertise in business development and client relationship building. An 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 of 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 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 who 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
Susan Hawkins
Associate State Director of Financial Management
Biographical Summary
More than 15 years of experience in Financial/HR software for both large and small manufacturing companies and another 10 years of experience with Financial and Student software services for K-12 education. I am currently the Associate State Director of Financial Management for the PA Small Business Development Center.
Areas of Expertise
Financial Analysis, Accounting, Budgeting, Financial Software.
Educational Background
Bachelor of Science in Finance with a Minor in Economics
Penn State University – State College, PA
Biographical Summary
Kutztown SBDC recently became the lead SBDC office for Pennsylvania. In her new role at the SBDC, Marcia will utilize her 29 years of commercial lending experience, primarily focused on 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
Biographical Summary
I earned my MBA at Bloomsburg University, where I gained exposure to and learned the significance of functioning in a team environment. During my time spent as a Small Business Owner, I gained practical experience and learned how to apply concepts to a variety of situations. I look forward to further developing and broadening my skill set by working for the Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University.
Areas of Expertise
Government Procurement, Business Management, Entrepreneurship.
Educational Background
Master of Business Administration, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA
Bachelor's in Business Admin. and Management, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA
Biographical Summary
Extensive project management, logistics, troubleshooting, and problem-solving experience; ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously and provide exceptional customer support. Expertise in forging and building partnerships with professionals at all levels. Deliver results through strategic thinking, problem resolution, and time management.
Areas of Expertise
Procurement, Project Management, Accounting, Business Strategy.
Educational Background
BSBA Business Administration and Management, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
SBDC Pennsylvania / SBA / PREP Southeast / PTAC / America's SBDC / Community First Fund
Cooperative Agreement
The Kutztown SBDC is partially funded by a grant from the Department of Community & Economic Development and by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Cooperative Agreement No. 4-603001-Z-0040-24. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsor(s)’ or participants’ opinions, findings, conclusions, recommendations, products, or services.
Funding Partners
Funding support and resources are provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community & Economic Development; through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration; and in part through support from Kutztown University. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Special arrangements for persons with disabilities can be made by calling 215-204-7282. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. SBDC services are not available to individuals or entities that have been debarred or suspended by the federal government. By agreeing to receive assistance from the SBDC you are self-certifying that you are not currently federally debarred or suspended and also agree to cease using SBDC services if you become federally debarred or suspended in the future.
All SBDC programs are non-discriminatory and open to the public. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested, at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Kutztown SBDC at Old Main - Room 27 - F Wing, 15219 Kutztown Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530, (484)-646-5937.
The Kutztown University SBDC is a member of the network of Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers and the National Association of Small Business Development Centers.