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CT Small Business Development Center Staff and Bios |
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Ginne-Rae Clay-Gilmore: State Director Ginne Rae Clay-Gilmore joined Central Connecticut State University as the State Director of the Connecticut Small Business Development Centers (CSBDCs), in May 2007. The CSBDC’s are hosted by the Connecticut State University System (CSU), the largest public university system in Connecticut. The Universities are Central, Eastern, Southern and Western. The CSBDC are headquartered at the Institute of Technology and Business Development located at Central Connecticut State University. Ms. Clay-Gilmore takes the lead role in statewide small business development after spending the past 20 years at the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. During her tenure, Ms Clay-Gilmore has held various management positions in the areas of business and community development, strategic planning and housing finance. Ms. Clay-Gilmore currently serves as a board member of Waterbury Main Street and has served on the Connecticut Maritime Commission, ACE Mentoring Program, Greater Hartford Workforce Development Board, Women’s Business Forum, Connecticut Child Day Care Council, Greater Waterbury YMCA and the Initiative for Competitive for Competitive Inner City. A native of Waterbury, Ms. Clay-Gilmore received a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University Connecticut, Storrs in 1986 and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Hartford in 1995. She holds national certifications in Economic Development Finance and Housing Finance with the National Development Council (NDC). Ms. Clay-Gilmore was selected a member of the Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals (2005-2007). She has received recognition as an Outstanding Manager and the Board of Directors Service Award from the Waterbury Opportunities Industrialization Center.
To Contact Ms. Clay-Gilmore:
Ginne Rae Clay-Gilmore
State Director
CT SBDC
185 Main Street
New Britain, CT 06051
860-832-0650: Main, Sue Siton
860-832-0651: Office
860-832-0656: Fax
Susan Siton: Business Development Coordinator (CCSU) Susan Siton became the Business Development Coordinator for the SBDC program at Central Connecticut State University in April of 2007. She has an extensive background related to SBDC requirements and is the 1st line of contact for the program. Sue is a Graduate of Mattatuck Community College with an Associate Degree in Legal Secretarial Science. Sue joined Central Connecticut State University in November of 1991 as a University Assistant. Some of her responsibilities included the maintenance of office operations under the Dean of the School of Technology. In March of 1994, Mrs. Siton transferred to a new organization, Flexible Manufacturing Networks Center, involved with the improvement of manufacturing within the state of Connecticut and worked with it's directors to improve the transfer of technology. In January of 1998 Sue became the Professional Development Specialist for the Human Resource Development Center where she concentrated on database development and management, maintenance of student records and accounts payable reports and arranged class schedules along with administering the compensation schedule for program instructors. From January of 2000 to January of 2002, Sue was the Professional Development Specialist for the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the Manufacturing Applications Center (MAC). She maintained databases, organized Client Quarterly Reports, managed program purchases and requisitions for PTAC and for MAC she monitored cash flow, prepared instructor and company contracts and administered compensation schedules for instructors. From January 2002 to May 2004 Sue transferred once again to become the Professional Development Specialist for the Training & Applications Center. While there she maintained the Institute's web-site, managed purchases and requisitions, arranged class schedules, became very familiar with Personal Service Agreements (PSA's), and maintained student records for non-credit professional development courses. In May of 2004, Mrs. Siton became a full-time employee for the Executive Office as a Professional Development Specialist. Here she aided in proposals and pre-award coordination of the SBA Grant for the Connecticut SBDC. She was also the 1st line client contact liaison of the ITBD Executive Office, the liaison between the Institute's tenants, Executive Director and Business Manager. Other functions included special projects, purchases and requisitions, monthly parking garage control sheets, travel, database management, coordination and development of the ITBD newsletter and web-site and design of ITBD promotional materials.
To Contact Mrs. Siton:
Sue Siton
Evelyn Pasco - Business Development Specialist to the Executive Office (CCSU) Evelyn Pasco, Business Development Specialist, comes to the SBDC as a veteran human services professional with a strong background in program management, client assessment and providing employment and training services. Prior to joining the SBDC, Mrs. Pasco was employed as a Senior Employment Specialist for the Human Resources Agency of New Britain in the Connecticut Works office in Meriden, assisting clients seeking training services from the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the state Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) programs. She worked closely with local, state and private sector service providers, as well as training WIA and JFES staff and auditing internal program performance. She had previously been employed in case management and training positions at the Community Action Agency of Meriden (CAAM), and the Women & Family Center (formerly the YWCA) in Meriden. A native of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Mrs. Pasco attended the University of Puerto Rico, completed theological studies in Puerto Rico and graduated with highest honors in 1999 from Middlesex Community College with Associate Degrees in both Business Administration and Accounting, earning the Snow Prize in accounting and membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. She was recognized in 1998 and 1999 by Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges. Mrs. Pasco has successfully completed professional training in Global Career Development and Results-Oriented Management & Accountability (ROMA). Based in the SBDC’s New Britain office, Mrs. Pasco serves as a liaison to the SCSU and WCSU satellite offices.
To Contact Mrs. Pasco:
Evelyn Pasco
Ellen Mayo - Business Development Specialist to the Executive Office (CCSU) Ellen Mayo joined Central Connecticut State University as the Technical Assistant in the Connecticut Small Business Development Center Executive Office on July 20, 2007. Previously, she was employed for 10 years at LEARN, the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Education Center. Her experience and academic background in Human Resource Management provided seamless transition for facilitation and management of curriculum revision, professional development and direct instruction. Ellen assisted urban school districts in their efforts to markedly improve students' literacy skills by providing pertinent technical assistance. This resulted in the securing of funds to access research-based instruction resources and systematic methodology. Ellen received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts. She resides in Waterford, Connecticut and has served on the town's Charter Revision Commission as Secretary and as Chairperson of the Recreation and Parks Commission. Based in the SBDC's New Britain Executive Office, Mrs. Mayo serves as a liaison to the ECSU and DECD (Central CT) satellite offices.
To Contact Mrs. Mayo:
Ellen Mayo
Henry (Hank) Reed: Business Development Specialist at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) Henry Reed joined Central Connecticut State University as the Small Business Development Center Sub-Center Specialist located at Eastern Connecticut State University in August, 2007. This position will provide planning and assist in developing the CT SBDC sales initiative for outreach programs. This will be achieved through marketing the core business services of the CT SBDC program. Mr. Reed has a strong financial and marketing background with over 20 years of experience in banking and financial institutions. Those organizations include FleetBoston, Aetna Life & Casualty and the Hartford Insurance Group. Most recently, Mr. Reed was Vice President of Commercial Lending for an in-state banking institution. Additionally, Hank has started and been principal owner of a successful financial consulting and auditing firm. Mr. Reed is a Connecticut native. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in Finance and Real Estate Investment. He also holds a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the Colgate Darden School located at the University of Virginia. He continues to be an Associate Member of the Society of Real Property Appraisers (SRPA). He is very involved in community activities including being a member of the Financial Planning and Allocation Committee for the Town of Columbia.
To Contact Mr. Reed:
Henry (Hank) Reed
Milena Stankova Erwin: Business Development Advisor at Eastern CT State University (ECSU) Milena Stankova Erwin joins CCSU and the Small Business Development Center as a Counselor in the ECSU office. Milena brings to her new position a strong business background and 15 years supervisory and management practice, primarily in International Marketing and Sales Management. Her experience of small business operations spans across several countries and industries. Milena, a native of Bulgaria, received a Bachelor's degree in International Business from the Higher Institute of Economics in Sofia, Bulgaria, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of Oklahoma. She has successfully managed international sales and led international marketing efforts at several companies in the medical and specialty chemical industries. Ms. Erwin has done extensive work in the areas of market research, identifying and assessing new markets and opportunities, marketing planning, international partner search, building international distributor networks and contract negotiations. She has trained and counseled businesses on various cross-cultural and international business issues. She looks forward to the opportunity to apply her unique background and foreign language skills , as well as her experience working in the small business field, to assist Connecticut businesses and entrepreneurs.
To Contact Mrs. Erwin:
Milena Stankova
Erwin
Dennis Twiss - Business Development Advisor at Eastern CT State University (ECSU) Dennis C. Twiss joined CCSU and the Small Business Development Center as an Advisor in August 2007 and he will be centered at ECSU. He brings over 35 years of industrial business experience and is certified as a small business development counselor. His responsibilities in Fortune 500 and smaller companies include positions as General Manager, Business Planning Manager, Controller and Manufacturing Manager. Mr. Twiss has coordinated with local economic development boards in the Sunbelt states and performed operational audits for acquisitioned manufacturing companies. Primarily involved with aerospace and electrical products, he was invited to attend President George Herbert Walker Bush’s recognition of the Patriot Missile at Raytheon and the Commissioning of the C-5 military transport at Andrews Air Force Base and the Pentagon. He has done presentations of “Management by Objective” and “Just in Time Manufacturing” and written articles of “Accounting for Inter-Plant Sales” and “Automating a Standard Cost System”. Except for
military service Mr. Twiss has always resided in Connecticut. He has a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of
Connecticut, the concentration being Industrial Management, and a
Masters of Business Administration from the University of Hartford.
To Contact Mr. Twiss:
Kenneth S. Kollmeyer - Business Development Specialist at Southern CT State University (SCSU) Kenneth S. Kollmeyer joined CCSU as a Small Business Development Sub-Center Specialist on August 17, 2007 and will be located at SCSU. Mr. Kollmeyer's role will be to plan, develop and direct the CT SBDC sales initiative for outreach programs to raise the level of awareness and effectively market the core business services for the SBDC program. In his 30+ years in business, Ken has held various sales and business management positions with increasing levels of responsibility for organizations such as Sears, American Greetings, Curtis 1000, Inc., Bloomingdale's Department Stores/Catalogue Division, Moore Medical Corp. and the NEFCO Corp. He has led and managed general business and supply chain operations, customer service, human resources and information technology. Mr. Kollmeyer also served local communities sitting on the Boards of organizations such as the Friendship Service Center of New Britain, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central CT, the New Britain Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA and YWCA and the Lions Club. He also served as Development Executive for the Middlesex Central CT Chapter of the American Red Cross. A native of Southern Illinois, Ken earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Valparaiso University and a Master's Degree with honors in Business Administration from Adelphi University. Ken has also completed executive course work at Cornell University and the University of Tennessee.
To Contact Mr. Kollmeyer:
Kenneth S. Kollmeyer
Maryann Cruz - Business Development Advisor at Southern CT State University (SCSU) Maryann Cruz joined the Central Connecticut State University as an Advisor in August of 2007. Her role is to provide management and financial training, as well as advising services to various businesses. She has an extensive knowledge of programs that are available throughout the state to startup, expanding, and relocating businesses. Maryann began assisting businesses within the state in September 1998 when she joined the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) as a Business Information Specialist. Her primary role was to provide callers of the Connecticut’s Business Response Center with information on doing business in Connecticut, ranging from licensing and registration requirements to available sources of funding. During her last two years with CERC, Maryann was a Registration Specialist for the state’s Smart Start program in which she assisted business owners with the registration, licensing and permitting processes. In January 2004 Maryann left CERC and joined the pre-opening team of the Connecticut Convention Center (Waterford Venue Services). As an Executive Assistant during pre-opening Maryann had the opportunity to manage the pre-opening budget; write Requests for Proposals (RFPs); design, purchase, and execute all telephone and infrastructure; organize all administrative office functions; researched and implemented inventory controls, and served as Network Administrator in addition to being responsible for all executive-level administrative support. In September 2005 Maryann then transferred to the Marriott Hartford Downtown (Waterford Hotel Group) where she started as a Sr. Sales Coordinator assisting the Director of Sales & Marketing with advertising and promotional campaigns for the hotel. During her last year at the Marriott Maryann was part of the Accounting team and held the positions of Cashier, Accounts Payable Specialist and lastly Staff Accountant. Ms. Cruz is a Connecticut native who has an Associates in Foodservice Management from Manchester Community College and a Bachelors in Hospitality and Tourism from Central Connecticut State University.
To Contact Ms. Cruz:
Maryann Cruz
Rosita Forte-Dobson, Esquire. - Business Development Specialist at the State of Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development (DECD) Rosita Forte Dobson joined Central Connecticut State University as of Sub-Center Specialist located at the State of Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development (DECD) in Hartford, Connecticut. She is responsible for providing planning and assistance in developing the Connecticut SBDC sales initiative for outreach programs. This will be achieved through marketing the core business services of the SBDC program. Ms. Forte-Dobson formerly served as Assistant Economic Development Agent at DECD-Hartford, CT, Executive Director of the North Philadelphia, Partnership-Philadelphia, PA, and Assistant Vice President Corporate Trust Administration of CoreStates Bank-Philadelphia, PA. Ms. Forte-Dobson brings her experience as a former business owner and over 30 years of strong community and business economic development experience to the SBDC. Ms. Forte-Dobson is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Saint Augustine’s College, Raleigh, NC, with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Government. Ms. Forte-Dobson also holds a Juris Doctor Law Degree from Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia, PA. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors of various civic, community and non-profit organizations. She is also a member of the Hartford Chapter of the Links International, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
To Contact Mrs. Forte-Dobson, Esquire.:
Rosita
Forte-Dobson
Paul Gagnon - Business Development Advisor at the State of Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development (DECD) Paul R. Gagnon arrives at the CSBDC after 10 years of operating his own Connecticut DAS-certified management consultancy. A Six Sigma Black Belt, Mr. Gagnon conducted projects for a wide variety of clients including the Institute of Technology & Business Development at CCSU, University of Connecticut Research & Development Corporation, Connecticut State Department of Agriculture, Connecticut State Office of Rural Health, Connecticut State Department of Public Health and the Manufacturing Alliance of Connecticut Service Corporation. Also, since January 2000 he has been on the faculty at the School of Business at Central Connecticut State University including as a full-time instructor and assistant professor in 2002/03 and 2003/04, respectively. He was named to the CCSU Excellence in Teaching Honor Roll for the 2003/04 academic year, and in 1998 created the curriculum of one of the country’s first graduate courses in Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s MBA program. He was awarded an academic research grant by the Hartford Consortium of Higher Education to create and establish a first-ever symposium, trade exhibit, and career day on “Opportunities for Biotechnology in the Hartford Region” that was held at Central Connecticut State University in May 2002. He is the holder of a U.S. Patent Pending for a sports training device, and has been involved with a number of publications including as a copy edit reviewer of two recently published texts: Principles of Management, by C. Hill and S. McShane, (McGraw-Hill, 2007); and Management, by J. Schermerhorn, (Wiley, 2007). He also copy edit reviewed articles for the Journal of Knowledge Management. Prior to 1998 and for nearly 15 years he managed corporate financial and organizational strategy, business development and marketing staff and projects for three multi-billion-dollar Fortune 500 international companies: Heublein, Booker PLC – in tandem with Nelson Rockefeller family business interests - and ConAgra. As the firms’ director of business strategy he participated in and closed 13 acquisitions with an aggregate purchase value of $700 million that generated revenues of $1.7 billion, and as the director of national sales and marketing divisions he oversaw groups as large as 29 staff members, $65 million in annual sales, and with $4 million operating budgets. In those roles he consistently created and implemented new marketing tactics that deployed the latest technology including PBX impression marketing systems and Internet sales sites, and also helped lead the strategic planning process. He also led the fundraising and grant-making staff at Connecticut Public Broadcasting and the Donaghue Medical Research Foundation, respectively.
He earned AS and BS degrees from the
University of Massachusetts; MBA degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute; and MA degree in public policy from Trinity College. He is a
past member of the board of directors for the Tunxis Community College
Foundation and the Connecticut Agricultural Businesses Cluster, and was
a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia.
To contact Mr. Gagnon:
Tia Martinson - Business Development Specialist at Western CT State University (WCSU) Tia Martinson joined the SBDC in September of 2007 as a Business Development Specialist at the western Sub-Center housed in the Ancell School of Business on the Western Connecticut State University campus. Her primary function at the SBDC includes planning and effectively executing the outreach and marketing of the SBDC core business services in Fairfield County, and raising awareness of the SBDC as a resource to aid in start-up and growth in Connecticut Small Businesses. Ms. Martinson’s background in banking, education and the arts brings an array of expertise that will aid SBDC clients with loan packaging, market research and marketing plans. Her background in education will provide curriculum planning for the SBDC Workshops and Seminars, further servicing SBDC clients to realize their goals. A Midwestern native, Ms. Martinson earned her B.A. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before moving to CT, where she earned an M.F.A. from Yale University. She worked in the banking industry in commercial lending and cash management on the Gold Coast of Chicago. She continues to teach at Southern Connecticut State University.
To contact Ms. Martinson:
Tia Martinson
Charlotte Cilley: SBDC Business Development Advisor at Western CT State University (WCSU) Charlotte Cilley joins the Small Business Development Center as an Advisor in the WCSU and SCSU offices. Ms. Cilley brings to her position a strong business background gained in her 20+ years experience in premier public and private firms. She earned a combined undergraduate and graduate degree in Accounting at Pace University, and then began her career as a tax accountant with Price Waterhouse focusing on tax research, planning and reporting. During that time she obtained her license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York. Ms. Cilley later worked with GE Capital for nine years, where her primary focus was on process analysis and improvement – redesigning and/or improving tax and accounting processes to better meet customer requirements and improve the integrity and efficiency of federal, state and local tax reporting, accounting and analysis. She was also responsible for managing a $16 million departmental budget. While there, she completed Master Black Belt Training as part of GE's Six Sigma program. She became an internal consultant developing her skills as a group facilitator and personal coach, a role that proved to be highly rewarding personally. After several years in ‘retirement,’ she volunteered with SCORE as a small business counselor consulting with many businesses of various sizes in various stages of development. Ms. Cilley looks forward to broadening her consulting and coaching experience with SBDC.
To contact Mrs. Cilley:
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