The Michigan Small Business Development Center, hosted by Grand Valley State University, has hired Mary Sue Cary to serve as the first statewide technology counselor.
The technology counselor will serve as a catalyst for the growth of Michigan's small, high-tech, innovative and fast growing companies, building upon a strong foundation of assistance by traditional SBDC advisors. Cary will be responsible to the state director, with direct communication links through assigned regional directors, serving the state of Michigan.
Cary comes to the SBDC from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where she served for the past two years as a business consultant for the Chrysler Corp. Small Business Development Center. There she provided counsel to new venture companies including legal, human resources, financial analysis, and sources of funding. Her responsibilities also included counseling state centers on legal issues as well as promoting business development with local chambers of commerce.
Prior to her tenure at Duquesne, Cary served as Human Resources General Manager for Allegheny Ludlum Corporation. She was responsible for human resource policies and practices for more than 1,600 employees and established best practices at multiple locations for more than 5,000 employees, while managing an annual budget of $4.0 million.
Cary received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Michigan State University and earned a doctorate in law from the University of Pittsburgh.
The Michigan Small Business Development Center provides counsel, training, research, and advocacy for Michigan's new business ventures, existing small businesses, expanding new businesses, new technology companies, and innovators. The MI-SBDC is housed at GVSU's Seidman School of Business in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As host of the MI-SBDC State Headquarters, the Seidman School of Business oversees the twelve region MI-SBDC network.
