Raymond L. Vargo, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center at the IEE, counsels businesses at all stages of their lifecycle.

Working with businesses in industries such as retail, high tech, manufacturing and professional services, he provides strategic business and financial advice to help companies expand their profits, explore new markets and overcome business challenges.

Since opening the Washington County Outreach Office of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center in 1995, Vargo has grown it to become one of the most successful outreach offices in the Pennsylvania SBDC system.

He has become a leader and valuable resource for Western Pennsylvania businesses, and in addition to his consulting management responsibilities, Vargo teaches accounting and small business management to both undergraduate and graduate students at Waynesburg College and the University of Pittsburgh.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Pennsylvania State University
Master of Business Administration, California University of Pennsylvania

Lee Ann is an Environmental Consultant with the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP)), assisting businesses with environmental and health and safety compliance, pollution prevention and sustainability opportunities for new business start-up, overall operation and/or potential expansion.

Lee Ann has over 28 years of environmental regulatory compliance experience in both consulting and industrial capacities. In addition to her experience working as an environmental consultant with the SBDC EMAP program from 2000–2011, she was previously the Manager of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs for a paint and coatings manufacturer, providing full environmental, product safety and employee safety compliance.

Prior to this she was an Environmental Scientist/Project Manager with two different Environmental/Engineering Consulting firms.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Management, Pennsylvania State University
Registered Environmental Manager (REM) with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals

Meghan Hillegas is the Assistant Director of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center.  At the SBDC Meghan works closely with clients in all stages of business growth. With nearly a decade of experience in small business and nonprofit operations and financial analysis, Meghan focuses her consulting work in organizational management and financial forecasting.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, California University of Pennsylvania
Master of Business Administration, Waynesburg University

Terri Kennelly-Cook began her career at the University of Pittsburgh in August 2006 as the Department Administrator in the Swanson School of Engineering Office of Diversity. Ten years later she transferred to the IEE as an administrative assistant handling the front desk duties and projects for the IEE with Pitt students. Prior to the University of Pittsburgh, Terri was a Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Regional Supervisor with Zink Partners, Inc., Johnstown Management Co. and Cushman & Wakefield working in various states in commercial and residential properties.

Education

Master of Studies in Law, University of Pittsburgh

Graduate Certificate, Human Resources Law, University of Pittsburgh

Bachelor’s of Business Administration & Management, LaRoche College

Bachelor’s of Arts, English Literature, LaRoche College

Zachery Patton is a Management Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh’s Small Business Development Center. Currently, he works with startups and small businesses out of the Washington and Waynesburg offices. Zachery brings experience in the restaurant industry, business development, as well as sustainability initiatives. His focus is to help entrepreneurs position themselves to succeed and prosper.

Before he joined the Small Business Development Center, Zachery was the Technology Transfer Coordinator at the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Masters of Business Administration, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

In his role as Director of Supply Chain Consulting for the IEE, Michael will continue to build and broaden IEE’s supply chain training capabilities with partner organizations and regional entrepreneurs. He joined the IEE to infuse his passion for entrepreneurship and education in support of the University’s mission for regional economic development. He has worked with the IEE team to achieve its goals in fostering innovative ideas to strengthen and expand the University’s strategic outreach.

Prior to his current role, Michael served as Associate Director of the Pitt SBDC, assisting business owners with profitability and sustainability through trainings, education and consulting. He has also worked previously with the IEE as their Educational Program Manager from 2004–2008.

Following his first stint with the IEE, Michael was an entrepreneur as a co-owner of a family business in the financial services industry. A steadfast advocate for small business owners and entrepreneurship, Michael has spoken as a panel member at the U. S. Capitol Building for a Senate sub-committee on SBA financing, presented at the ASBDC annual conference, and has published research with his dissertation focused on “Educating Entrepreneurs: Strategic Methods Utilized by Small Business Development Centers in the U.S. to Deliver Educational Programs.”

Education

Bachelor of Education, University of Toledo
Masters of Education, University of Pittsburgh
Doctorate of Education, University of Pittsburgh

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Lynne began her career in retail management before transitioning to a project management position with PNC Bank. While at PNC Bank she was responsible for implementing bank marketing initiatives at the telebanking center and coordinating all aspects including training, operational support, and telecommunications. She held the position of accounting manager at an automotive dealership and most recently worked as a licensed and certified occupational therapy assistant, providing school-based occupational therapy in local school districts. In her spare time, Lynne enjoys spending time her with family, reading, and walking her two golden retrievers.

Brent G. Rondon is currently the Senior Management Consultant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. In that capacity he consults with export-import clients who want to engage in international trade as well as immigrant/international entrepreneurs who are newcomers to the Pittsburgh region and want to open their own businesses.

Previously, he was the Manager of the Global Business Program at the Duquesne University SBDC. Brent managed export projects to assist U.S. equipment manufacturers to enter Latin American countries of U.S.-Made equipment. He has traveled extensively and led trade missions to countries such as Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, China, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil.

He received a Master’s Degree of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) and a Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. His undergraduate studies were in Lima, Peru, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Engineering from the La Molina National University. He is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) from NASBITE International, on the board of Global Pittsburgh, Mayor Peduto’s Welcoming Pittsburgh initiative, the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sister Cities International, NASBITE International and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Diverse Communities Group.  He is fluent in Spanish and intermediate Portuguese.

Jonny Gamble is a Management Consultant with the University of Pittsburgh’s Small Business Development Center. At the SBDC, Jonny works closely with clients in all stages of business growth. Currently, Jonny splits his time between the IEE office in Oakland, the Riverside Innovation Center on the North Shore, and the Community Engagement Center in Homewood.

Before joining the Small Business Development Center, Jonny worked as Community & Events Manager for OneValley, an online entrepreneurship platform and co-working space in Hazelwood Green.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, University of Pittsburgh

Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems, University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Eric Swift is currently a Management Consultant for Indiana County. His experience, education, and passion intersect in the fields of entrepreneurship and education. Most recently, he was the director of graduate business programs where he quadrupled the program in five years. In addition, he taught over 30 business classes at six Pittsburgh universities as an adjunct. With Project G.A.T.E. (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship), Eric trained and consulted with 300 clients to transition from unemployment to self-employment. His previous entrepreneurial pursuits include co-founding a home inspection business.

Eric has an MBA and Ed.D, from Duquesne University. His dissertation was on the emotional intelligence of entrepreneurs. He also has certificates in leadership and entrepreneurship from Harvard Business School Online.