Certified professionals staff the SBDC at Binghamton. Their knowledge and experience provide expert counseling and training to address the myriad of problems inherent in the start-up and operation of a business. The SBDC staff has access to the faculty, staff, students and other resources of Binghamton University as well as private and public consultants, agencies and the Small Business Development Center Research Network in Albany.
Douglas BoyceDouglas Boyce is Regional Director. He has16 years of experience in helping New York state small businesses. Having over 12 years of "big" business experience, he has served as General Manager of a $12 million a year company and Corporate Credit Manager of a $400 million a year corporation. Previously an owner of a small manufacturing business and then a partner in a franchised advertising firm, Doug also has the "small" business experience necessary to aid with the myriad of financial and operational problems facing New York's small business owners.
Michelle Catan BusinessAdvisor Michelle Catan started in mid May 2011 bringing 17 years of banking and three years of business ownership to the position. Michelle brings her expertise in small business commercial lending, business planning, SBA lending and documentation, financial analysis and as a presenter and trainer to the position. Michelle attended the statewide NYS SBDC training programs with the rest of the Binghamton staff in late May and was introduced to the mission, goals and many of the staff of the overall program. The SBDC office in Oneonta "officially" opened near the middle of June. Michelle will provide small business assistance to clients in Otsego and Delaware Counties from there.
Ginny ThompsonGinny Thompson joined the SBDC as a business advisor in May of 2001. In addition to her counseling duties and to further meet the needs of SBDC clients, Ginny designed and now spearheads a 20-hour Small BusinessTraining Class. This class has taken on a life of its own and has been well received by both start-up clients and existing business owners. Ginny owned her own resume and job search support business for 18 years. Additionally, she worked as a technical recruiter for 7 years in a highly competitive industry. Experience provides Ginny with excellent perspectives and she is able to draw upon her first hand experiences in assisting clients through the challenges of investigating a business' potential and start-up.
Kenneth HomerKenneth Homer has been a Business Advisor at the Center for more than fifteen years. Working with over 150 clients each year, Ken assists both start-up and existing businesses with business plan development, production planning, human resources, financial analysis, and cash flow management. With a Masters in Accounting from Binghamton University, Ken is likely to work with those more complex and extensive cases identified at the Center. Ken is also a graduate of the Broome Leadership Institute, Class of 2000.
Lynne LauderbachLynne Lauderbach is the Director's Administrative Assistant and the Center's Office Manager. She is usually the first friendly voice you hear when calling the SBDC for business assistance. She coordinates the activity of the Center, maintains client records and monitors the activities of the advising staff. Lynne has been with the Center for 18 years. After graduating with a BA in English from Ithaca College, she has worked as a radio copywriter, sales secretary for a local television station, and prior to joining the Center, for a local economic development agency, Partnership 2000.
