The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) has appointed new business coaches and a network coordinator to assist small businesses across the state.
Steve Johnson serves as the new WVSBDC network coordinator for the statewide program. He provides a communications link between the lead center based in Charleston and the business coaches in the field. His duties also include handling the operational functions of the SBDC Centers statewide, budget reviews, financial analysis and performance evaluations. Johnson also manages the WVSBDC Business Ask Me! Line (888-982-7232) that helps entrepreneurs to find answers to their business questions.
He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marshall University and his master’s degree from Wayne State College, Nebraska. In private industry, he held management and principle positions with responsibilities that include finances, development and human resources.
The new business coaches are Susannah Higgins, based in Buckhannon; Mary Hott, Martinsburg; Marsa Myers, Parkersburg; David Ramsburg, Morgantown; and Bryan Shaw, Huntington.
Business coaches operate from WVSBDC centers distributed across West Virginia. They collaborate with other coaches in the statewide network to help entrepreneurs sustain and expand their businesses. The network makes it possible for small business owners anywhere in the state to call on WVSBDC specialists certified in areas such as capital access, innovation/technology, exporting and federal contracts.
Higgins received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from West Virginia University. Her experience spans several different entities with a wide range of responsibilities, including financial forecasting, operational management and marketing. Her office based in Buckhannon serves Barbour, Gilmer, Lewis, Randolph, Tucker and Upshur counties.
Hott has held management roles in corporations, non-profit organizations and start-ups. She has also been a small business owner. Her experience includes organizational development, strategic planning, marketing, business development, software solutions integration and information systems, project management and training. Hott received her master’s degree in information systems engineering from Northeastern University, Boston. Her WVSBDC office serves Berkeley, Hampshire, Jefferson, Mineral and Morgan counties.
Myers received her master’s degrees in English and in public administration from West Virginia University. Her experience includes mediation, training and development in business and academic environments. She is credentialed through the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) with its highest designation, the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP). Myers has earned the certification of an ASTD Master Trainer and is a certified Professional Coach (PC). Before joining WVSBDC, she worked for the WVU Division of Human Resources at West Virginia University as senior training and development specialist. Her office in Parkersburg serves Calhoun, Doddridge, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt and Wood counties.
Shaw’s office is supported by a partnership formed by the WVSBDC and Advantage Valley to provide business coach services throughout the Advantage Valley region. Advantage Valley is a non-profit marketing and strategic initiative to promote regional growth. His office serves Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Wayne counties.
Shaw has worked in the telecommunications field as a senior marketing specialist. He designed and managed the $1.9 million dollar annual marketing strategy for business-to-business and consumer segments throughout West Virginia and Ohio markets. A successful regional manager with a 14 year track record, Shaw has led management teams and provided marketing, financial and sales consulting services to small businesses. He received his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia State University, Master of Science degree in Technology Management from Marshall University Graduate College and Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix. H
Ramsburg’s office is hosted by the West Virginia University Launch Lab on the WVU campus. His office serves technology businesses statewide. The post is supported by WVSBDC in partnership with the WVU College of Business & Economics BrickStreet Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Ramsburg’s career spans more than 17 years in engineering and management positions with startups, corporations and not-for-profit organizations He has worked in fields such as wireless telecommunications, renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. He has experience in government contracting and has led research and development programs for various federal agencies including the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice. He received his Master of Business Administration from Duke University, North Carolina.
The WVSBDC is part of the West Virginia Development Office and creates economic impact through offering entrepreneurs and small businesses cost-effective business coaching and technical assistance. The West Virginia SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The WVSBDC is an Accredited Member of America’s SBDC network.
