Starting February 1, Nancy Boese will transition from her role as the Michigan Small Business Technology Development Center Region 7 regional director to assume the newly created position of business tools specialist, serving all 12 SBTDC regions throughout the state. Meanwhile, current SBTDC business consultant Dante Villarreal will assume Boese's former role overseeing services in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties.
As business tools specialist, Boese will serve in a business development capacity, enhancing the SBTDC network's engagement with existing companies. She will also play a key role in the statewide network's Balanced Scorecard work, while overseeing numerous management tools including: Fiscal Fitness, Marketing Upgrade, Market Research, NxLeveL, PeerSpectives, Strategic Needs Assessment, Strategic Actioning, and Strategic Problem Solving. These carefully selected management tools fit the increasingly complex needs of and start-ups and second stage entrepreneurs.
"Nancy has nearly a decade of experience in the SBTDC network, both at the regional and statewide level. She will play a major role in advancing the organization in her new position," said MI-SBTDC State Director Carol Lopucki. "She is lauded by both peers and small business owners as a top-notch trainer, facilitator, and consultant and is certified for the use of numerous licensed tools to assist companies."
Boese has served as regional director since 1998. Prior to coming to the SBTDC, Boese was the president and owner of Marketing Department, she was the marketing and planning specialist of the Perspectives Consulting Group, and the executive director of the Davenport College Career Center.
Assuming Boese's position, Villarreal will serve as the MI-SBTDC regional director, overseeing the Region 7 locations of Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties. Villarreal has worked with the SBTDC as a business consultant since April 2007. Villarreal's primary responsibilities will include: the development and implementation of a region-wide strategic business assistance program, the establishment of relationships and offering of services to culturally, ethnically, and socially diverse entrepreneurs, and the selection, training and management of high quality professional and administrative staff.
"Dante has been a highly valued business consultant for the SBTDC, simultaneously demonstrating tremendous leadership capability for over four years," said Lopucki. "He is already actively engaged with numerous organizations within the community; we expect this transition to be quite seamless."
Villarreal received the United States Small Business Administration Minority Business Advocate of the Year Award, in addition to the Seidman School of Business Distinguished Service Award. He is actively involved in the local and international Hispanic communities, working with the Secretary of the Economy of Mexico, serving as a board member on the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican Heritage Association. Prior to coming to the MI-SBTDC, Villarreal worked as an accountant at the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce and as the regional manager of Telamon Corp.
Grand Valley houses the state headquarters for the Michigan Small Business Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC). As host of the MI-SBTDC State Headquarters, the Seidman College of Business oversees the 12-region MI-SBTDC network. Grand Valley is also home to the MI-SBTDC Region 7 office, which provides no-cost counsel, training, market research, and advocacy for small businesses in Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties. It is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and Grand Valley. Companies receive business consultation services from an experienced team. Examples of assistance provided include: business plan development for funding, developing growth strategies, understanding cash flow/finance issues, marketing their products/services, and many other areas of business.
