Denver Metro SBDC Staff and Consultants
Our team is committed to the growth of Colorado businesses and the creation of jobs and wealth for entrepreneurs. With five administrative staff and over 20 consultants, we represent a broad range of diverse backgrounds, experience and expertise. As part of the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network, we also have access to more than 300 business consultants across Colorado.
To meet with a consultant, click the button below and we’ll guide you through our resource network to ensure your entrepreneurial success.
Our Staff
China Califf
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR • Denver Metro SBDC - VICE PRESIDENT • Small Business Development
Christopher Goetz
Program Manager
Kim Roberts
Customer Service SpecialistOur Consultants
Mark Ahern
Financial Analysis, Benchmarking, Performance Monitoring, Budgeting & ForecastingMark empowers business owners to make more informed decisions by gaining a deeper understanding of the financial side of their business, measuring and monitoring performance, and forecasting cash flow. Mark is the founder of Amp Business Consulting, LLC, an advisory and fractional CFO firm dedicated to providing affordable advisory services to create an equitable business landscape. He spent over a decade in financial services with firms such as First Midwest Bank, GE Capital, and most recently Wells Fargo. In his time as a credit analyst and commercial banker, Mark worked with businesses of all sizes and industries. Mark earned his MBA from DePaul University and is proficient in Spanish. In addition to consulting, Mark teaches finance part-time at Regis University.
Natalia Antezana
Natalia Antezana is a dedicated business consultant with over a decade of experience, specializing in assisting small businesses in Latin America and Colorado. She is deeply passionate about entrepreneurship and strives to contribute positively to her community. Natalia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) and a Master’s Degree in Corporate Finance from UCEMA University. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is committed to helping businesses succeed through strategic planning, business development, access to capital, and financial expertise.
Jay Ballenberger
Jay Ballenberger is a Market Research Specialist at Bandana Research LLC, specializing in training, consulting, and coaching small business owners in conducting strategic market research. With over a dozen years teaching people how to research better he has developed a deep understanding in collaborative research education. A graduate of Emporia State University’s School of Library and Information Management, he holds a Masters degree in Library and Information Science and has since trained hundreds of Colorado small businesses to conduct market research.
Known for dynamic and engaging workshop sessions and one-on-one consulting, he has facilitated programs on industry research, customer research, competitor research, and conducting customer discovery interviews. He most recently coordinated a team of market researchers through the Colorado Accelerated Growth Program for Market Research which guided over 80 growth-oriented small businesses through a 6-week intensive market research program dedicated to developing robust and actionable market strategies.
Coming to market research work from the world of libraries, Jay takes a service-oriented and collaborative approach to his teaching and consulting. As a small business owner himself, he understands how imperative it is to have a well thought out strategy for bringing a business idea to fruition. He has worked for years to help researchers find the answers they need to make important decisions, and he especially enjoys working with bootstrapped small business owners in strategizing their best path forward.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Jay loves dusty Western Slope mountain bike trails, glacial lakes above timberline, shows at Red Rocks, y le encanta aprender español.
Nancy Barnett
Start-up assistance, business plan writingNancy Barnett assists entrepreneurs with their start-up businesses. She is co-owner of APIS Business Solutions, an accounting/bookkeeping firm that also offers human resource consulting. Nancy has 25 years of experience in corporate training, human resources, and vocational training. Her passion is helping business owners start or improve their businesses by understanding all the components necessary to build a strong business foundation. She takes pleasure in helping owners with strategic planning and business plan development. Nancy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pacific Western University. She was awarded her professional certification as senior professional in human resources by the Human Resources Certification Institute/Society for Human Resources Management.
Courtney Berg
Courtney is a consultant and highly credentialed and gifted public speaker, with over three decades of experience in Human Resources and Operations Management. During that time, she has held many management positions, from front-line supervisor to senior executive positions in both HR and operations. Courtney has worked with for-profit, not-for-profit clients in a myriad of industries including healthcare, insurance, hospitality, retail, education, technology, and manufacturing. She is passionate about HR issues, leading people, and designing management and HR systems and philosophies to improve employee engagement, performance, and productivity. Courtney is a member of the Colorado Small Business Advisory Council was featured in “How to Conduct Annual Employee Reviews” in Inc. Magazine, a published author and a national speaker. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Management and both SHRM-SCP and SPHR professional certifications.
Letta Campbell
HUMAN RESOURCE ASSISTANCE, OPERATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT, PROJECT MANAGEMENTLetta has in-depth experience as a corporate executive, serial entrepreneur, professor, and consultant. Her primary areas of focus are Human Resource Management (SPHR certified), Project Management, Operations Management and Entrepreneurship. Her varied roles have provided her the opportunity to speak, consult, and train in the United States and abroad. She currently owns and operates a consulting firm specializing in organizational and operational improvements through people. She is also a full professor of management. Her clients range from small family run businesses to very large hospital and utility organizations. She has earned an BS in Business Administration, an MBA and a Doctorate in Management.
Greg Durocher
LEADING EDGE Facilitator, Business planning, Start-up assistanceGreg Durocher is Co-founder and CEO at Safe Ride 4 Kids, LLC. Greg first came to the SBDC as a client in 2014. He was looking for ways to expand his business and knew that he needed a formal business plan to present when seeking funding, whether that be a loan or investors. He found in the SBDC class offering, including Leading Edge, exactly what he needed to compliment the consulting he received.
Fast forward to today. Greg and his business have received recognition and awards in the state-wide business plan competition and Trout Tank pitch event and his business SafeRide4Kids.com has grown into a very successful e-commerce business thanks to the support from the Denver SBDC. Because of his history as an SBDC client, his entrepreneurial success, his desire to serve, and his background in training & coaching, Greg was invited to take over facilitating the Leading Edge class as well to be on the team of consultants serving the SBDC’s clients. Greg also has a second successful business that is related to his coaching and training endeavors.
Before entering the world of entrepreneurs Greg was a career firefighter/paramedic for thirteen years and a volunteer for five years prior to that. For more than 15 years he has also been a student of human behavior and change. He has trained under and learned from the very best in the world: Tony Robbins, Steve Linder, Cloe Madanes, John Gray, Deborah Battersby, and many others. His training includes Human Needs Psychology, Strategic Intervention, Neurostrategies, NLP, Hypnotherapy, and EmMatrix. With this diverse background, he can help business owners on many levels in their entrepreneurial journey.
In 2003 he married his wife, Amie (who is also one of his business Co-Founders). They have three children, and they live, work and play in Denver, Colorado.”
Marina Galarraga
Marina is an enthusiastic business consultant with a rich background in marketing, communications, and branding. She is the founder of The Gurru Agency, a boutique marketing firm known for its personalized approach. Marina has over 15 years of extensive experience across both large and medium-sized organizations. Her expertise lies in tailoring marketing strategies to suit diverse industries and organizational contexts. Marina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Sciences and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Communications. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she empowers businesses to construct robust marketing strategies and equips them with user-friendly marketing tools for daily use.
Kurt Gerwitz
After earning his MBA in Finance and International Business from the AB Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, Kurt worked in Foreign Exchange and Investments at Hancock Whitney Bank, volunteered in several non-profit organizations, and helped entrepreneurs while starting a few new enterprises of his own. He taught Intro to Finance and Intro to Investments at Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans.
Kurt now teaches Startup Finance for DU’s collaboration with the World Trade Center Denver’s Global Trade Accelerator’s Immigrant Program. He also teaches “Anderson Reports,” at Regis University’s MBA program, working closely with the Innovation Center.
He enjoys practicing speaking in Spanish, hiking, riding his bike, and experiencing the Colorado lifestyle.
Jeff Gilbert
Start-up and business planning, restaurant-retail industry, financial analysisJeff Gilbert is a business consultant at the Johnson & Wales University satellite office and has more than 15 years of experience with the SBDC. As a consultant, he assists clients with retail operations, with an emphasis in the food industry. Gilbert is an entrepreneurship and business professor at Johnson & Wales University. He has owned and operated 10 businesses over the past 25 years, including a chain of pizza stores. Currently, he is the owner of a flower shop. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in accounting from Western Washington University. He earned his MBA in finance from the University of Phoenix.
Ross Haymes, MBA, CBI
FINANCING, PURCHASING A BUSINESSRoss Haymes is a licensed Business Broker with Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado and has earned the designation of Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association. He draws on decades worth of experience, both in corporate finance and as a small business owner, to guide buyers and sellers in the direction of their goals.
During his 20-year career with NYSE-listed Burlington Industries, Ross served as a market researcher, and an economist before becoming Investor Relations Director. In that role, he led the task of communicating the company’s value story to Wall Street analysts and money managers daily.
After a hostile takeover forced out Burlington’s management, Ross decided to take control of his own destiny and become a small business owner. He and his wife decided to move to Colorado, because they had had become familiar with the state through skiing.
Acquiring and running (and ultimately selling) his own business gave Ross a hands-on understanding of the challenges that face the small business owner.
In his current role as a Business Broker at Transworld, Ross combines his background in corporate finance with his experience as a small business buyer, owner, and seller, when he works with entrepreneurs. This gives him a unique perspective while guiding them, step-by-step, through the buying, growing, and selling of their companies.
Ross is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and
the Colorado Association of Business Intermediaries (CABI), where he serves as a member of the board of directors.
An avid “Colorado aficionado,” Ross enjoys cycling, hiking, ski racing, and volunteering as a racecourse worker for World Cup alpine ski events.
Kris Hefley
Kris Hefley is a marketing consultant with the SBDC. Kris has over 30 years of marketing experience with his own marketing consultancy working with client/companies such as General Motors, BMW Motorcycles, Pepsi, Vail Resorts, HUD and the State of Alaska. Hefley has also taught college level marketing and sales for 19 years at Johnson & Wales University, Regis University and for numerous sales executive associations in the United States.
Hefley has a BA in Sociology for Colorado State University and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Colorado with a specialization in research and evaluation methodology. His email is hefleykris@gmail.com
John Henry
Start-up Assistance, Tactical PlanningJohn’s corporate career started as a delivery driver with UPS and ended as Managing Director, Canada with Fedex. Prior to their startup he was recruited to help write the operating plan including ground ops and aircraft interface for the initial 25 city network. Nine years later he repeated that task for 8 cities in Canada. Both assignments tested and sharpened his organizational and planning skills.
He went on to found a local courier/ cartage company engaged in same day and next day service along the Front Range. During this time, he also taught business management courses for 25 years at FRCC including Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He joined the consultant team at SBDC in 2010.
John welcomes the opportunity to help entrepreneurs take on the challenges that come with startups, remodels, buyouts and franchising. He specializes in tactical planning, operations analysis, cost control and performance enhancement.
David Hood
Startup and Business PlanningDavid Hood is currently a Professor in the Doctor of Business Administration program- College of Business, at Johnson and Wales University; where he previously taught in Arts & Sciences as a faculty member teaching leadership and English. He began his teaching career with the university in 2008, after earning a B.S. in Hospitality Administration and an M.B.A. at Johnson & Wales. David went on to receive an M.Ed. in learning and development at Rhode Island College, and a Ph.D. in leadership studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In Lincoln, he studied the role a Chief of Staff has on an organization along with varying areas of leadership and strategy.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Hood has acted as a consultant for various sized organizations where he works with top leadership to strengthen business practices and offer assistance in building strategic plans. In his consulting work he coaches leaders and speaks on topics like small business innovations, organizational behavior, innovative marketing tactics, social media, and general business planning.
Originally from California, David lived in Rhode Island and now resides in Denver. Hood is an active member of multiple local, national and global organizations, as well as a dedicated consultant for the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center.
Wendy King
Strategic marketing, branding strategy, negotiation, salesStrategic marketing expert and founder of bForward Group, Wendy King helps small- and mid-size businesses move forward by creating roadmaps for results. Her background–which spans several industries and continents–helps her instantly understand the problems companies face while trying to grow. With a focus on practical, real-world advice and a preference for cost-effective marketing strategies, Wendy’s motto, “Moving Your Business Forward,” shows in everything she does. She works with companies in order to help them develop new opportunities that expand their business. She also helps clients develop marketing and sales plans and strategies that have produced several successful programs resulting in new and increased business. She has an extensive background with other organizations as a senior consultant, VP of Marketing and Director of Marketing. With an undergraduate degree in Health Administration, Wendy received her MBA in Marketing from Illinois Institute of Technology Stuart School of Business.
Kelyn Lanier
Kelyn Lanier is an entrepreneur and business consultant. He is the owner of Rowan Tau Unified, Inc, a consulting, business acquisition, and commercial lending brokerage company. Kelyn has a proven track record of helping businesses achieve their maximum potential. Before establishing Rowan Tau Unified, Kelyn co-founded a national pharmacy company. He led long-term strategic initiatives to compete and win in spaces with giants like Walgreens and CVS. He has also actively contributed to the business community as a director and vice chair of two local charities.
Academically, Kelyn has pursued both doctoral and master’s studies in the field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology, focusing on human networks and complex adaptive systems. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and Business Law from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
As a self-ascribed human business system architect, he blends the rigor of scientific research methodology with the adventurous nature of the entrepreneurial spirit to empower others in building resilient companies that thrive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
JoAnn Mackenzie
JoAnn Mackenzie is an international trade expert and supply chain professional with three decades of experience in import/export, global sourcing, product development, and purchasing. For the past 25 years, she has worked in international operations for small and large-scale companies managing all aspects of the international transaction including international pricing, global freight, customs and duties, quality inspections, inventory planning and fulfillment.
Her experience working for CPG (consumer packaged goods) companies includes The Coleman Company, The Boppy Company, Gaiam, Inc and Kiddopotamus. She also worked as an International Trade Specialist for the Tucson Local Development Corporation, a private non-profit that provided export assistance to small businesses where she organized and led overseas trade shows and trade missions to help companies diversify their business through international sales.
She has always enjoyed the “art of the transaction”, demystifying international trade to help businesses navigate importing and exporting products globally. She has direct experience with all areas of international transaction and documentation including factory audits, prototype development, letters of credit, pricing negotiation, and supplier diversification to build a stable long-term supply chain.
Ms. Mackenzie holds a BA from the University of Colorado and an MBA in International Business Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. She has lived overseas and travelled extensively to China, Taiwan, Japan and SE Asia participating in international trade events and managing offshore production.
Adam Melnick
Adam is a Lecturer of Entrepreneurship at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he teaches a variety of entrepreneurship related courses and works with MSU Denver’s Center for Entrepreneurship. His research interests include access to capital for underserved businesses as well as social impact businesses. He is also on the Board of Bluestar Recyclers, a non-profit electronics recycler that exists to provide meaningful employment for people with disAbilities. Prior to joining MSU Denver, Adam worked as Senior Entrepreneurship Officer and In-house Counsel at Colorado Lending Source, where Adam worked with over 125 small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs as the facilitator for their Ice House Entrepreneur Development program. This program helped his organization remain an integral part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Front Range. Adam also co-founded Conscious Capitalism Colorado. CCC inspires, educates, and assists individuals and businesses to implement the pillars of Conscious Capitalism and thrive financially while elevating the quality of life for all stakeholders.
Jim Olp
Start-up assistance, business plan writing, funding options, tax and accounting issuesJim Olp has a depth of experience derived not just from his many years working with SBDCs, but also from his ownership of more than a dozen small businesses. He has taught virtually every aspect of small business management and operations at the college level for more than three decades. Jim has exceptional expertise in business financing options and can assist clients in structuring their business plans and pro forma projections toward the goal of securing financing. He can also assist with questions related to the various taxes and accounting problems.
Priscilla Orozco-Garcia
Start-up assistance, business valuation, financial analysis, accounting, QuickBooks, cash flow forecast, financial budgeting and analysisBusiness Consultant Priscilla Orozco-Garcia is an accounting and financial professional with more than ten years of experience in financial practices, serving an executive role in providing credit training, education, industry knowledge, and services, nationally and internationally for lenders, and banking institutions. She is also the owner of YTD Bookkeeping Service LLC, a company that provides the bookkeeping needs to other companies. She works with a variety of clients that are in different industries such as trucking, medical, distribution center, restaurant and product & service.
Orozco-Garcia is fluent in both Spanish and English. She has demonstrated abilities in executing and managing the front lines of customer service and solutions for both B2B and B2C clients. Her experience in the accounting industry has confirmed that her performance in demonstrating valuable business insight: developing, executing, and managing organizational financial and accounting goals; maintaining and administering the financial affairs and functions of a company; recommending cost-effective plans, and providing administrative and organizational operational management solutions. She is skilled at overseeing the daily management of company payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, operations accounting, preparation of checks and payments. Orozco-Garcia is capable of managing the rigorous credit and banking compliance requirements for both national and international customers. Orozco-Garcia is a certified Intuit QuickBooks User and a Full Charge Bookkeeper.
Steve Parry
Sales and marketingSteve Parry is President of Sales Productivity Consultants (SPC), a 14-year-old sales strategy consulting firm. Steve works with leaders who recognize that sales are the constraint to their company’s growth. SPC helps companies to remove sales constraints by developing and implementing customized sales strategies, systems, and processes. And we help you recruit self-starting, independent team players who over-achieve sales goals.
Steve began developing his training and communications skills as a second-grade teacher in Summit County, Colorado. An entrepreneur at heart, Steve left teaching to start his own business, and since then, has spent over 30 years as a business owner and in the corporate arena: in industrial relations, operations, quality management, mergers and acquisitions, training, marketing, sales, and sales management. As was true when he taught 2nd grade, Steve’s passion is enabling client employees to recognize their full potential.
His various roles have provided him the opportunity to speak and train before diverse groups across this country, as well as in Mexico, Canada, Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, and Japan.
Clients have ranged from multi-billion dollar international firms to your local flower shop.
Kylie Peterson
Financial Analysis, Budgeting, ForecastingKylie Peterson (she/her) is a financial consultant with expertise in helping small businesses access the capital to start, grow, or recalibrate their business. She has worked as a Small Business Lender, and she has designed small business capital programs for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. She is a subject matter expert on small business loan opportunities in the Colorado market and she works with SBDC clients to determine their capital needs and navigate their financing options. She helps clients to develop pro forma projections to better understand how to prepare for future cash flow fluctuations. Additionally, Kylie works with early stage businesses in all areas of business planning from exploring a new business idea or growing an existing business. Kylie resides in Denver, CO and spends her weekends in the mountains hiking, climbing, or skiing with her dog Norman.
Brian Ray
Inventor, Product Licensing, Product StrategyBrian Ray, owner and inventor at Innovative Fountains in Denver, Colorado, has 30+ years of entrepreneurship focusing on product development, including Industrial and Consumer goods.
Brian built two successful companies without the corporate resources and capabilities of a large business; but with the expert collaboration and resources provided by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). His first company, B&D Pumps (1993-2009), focused on fluid-dynamic design for clients including NASA for microgravity irrigation, the Department of Defense for active military cooling suits, startup medical companies for laser cooling and respiratory therapy, and consumer goods products for single-serve coffee brewers.
Approximately 11 years ago Brian started Innovative Fountains to focus on retail products. During this time Brian has successfully invented, patented, and launched the AquaFlame® product line from prototype (MVP product). The AquaFlame® product line has created a new product category (Flameless Candle Fountains) and has made a 25-million-dollar retail sales impact in the self-care/soothing home-accents categories.
Brian has been issued 4 US utility patents, a US trademark, and signed five licensing agreements for his products. Brian credits his business success to extensive knowledge of product licensing, product strategy, go-to-market strategy, prototyping, outsourcing, patents, trademarks, and collaborative leadership for small business development. He is excited to share his experience with other inventors and entrepreneurs as a member of the SBDC team.
Adriane Sanford
DBE/ESB/MSBE/SBE certification, project plans and specifications, CDOT prequalification, CDOT biddingAdriane Sanford is founder and principal of The Sanford Group, LLC a professional service consulting firm headquartered in Colorado that provides their clients with innovative solutions to diversity program development and approaches in the transportation, construction, government, and economic development markets. Recognized for her passion and being a strong advocate and proponent to the small and disadvantaged businesses, Adriane built her entire career on that reputation. Her dedication for working in the spirit of excellence and delivering value and benefits to her clients and the diversity community continues to be the hallmark of her reputation.
Adriane brings more than 18 years of experience providing small business and economic development consulting; diversity participation programs; community outreach programs and the creation and development of technical assistance support services that leveraged best practices for the small, women and disadvantaged businesses in the construction/transportation industry. She has a strong community involvement and currently serves in a number of key leadership roles in the business community, including member of the Construction Empowerment Initiative for the City and County of Denver. She served in various capacities that reshaped the City & County of Denver 2014 Ordinance that governs the minority and women business enterprise program. She currently serves on the RTD Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Committee (DBEAC), CEI Airport Concession DIA Subcommittee and the Colorado Black Chamber- Black Construction Group Subcommittee. Adriane received her Associate of Art’s Degree in Human Services at the Colorado Women’s College in Denver Colorado.
Bob Smith
Project management, estimating and bidding, cost accounting and cost control, plans and specs, bonding guidance, controls and agreementsBob Smith has 23 years of construction management experience with 10 years focused years on subcontractor coordination and consulting. Owner of Eaton Cole Construction services, Bob’s area of expertise is providing technical assistance to subcontractors on public and private construction projects. Bob has been a consultant at the Colorado Department of Transportation for over nine years. He works in tandem with owners and prime contractors to exceed project goals and aid in the growth of local, small and disadvantaged businesses.
Bob has provided procurement assistance to prime contractors regarding minority contractor procurement; developed and conducted technical assistance training workshops specifically for subcontractors; analyzed design team proposals and negotiated contracts; assumed oversight of all contractor performed work and administration; supervised the bidding process and development of cost estimates to make contractor selections; prepared and authorized construction and design team contracts; developed project schedules, updated weekly and conducted weekly progress meetings; reviewed, prepared and approved pay applications; managed day-to-day project operations, including RFIs, change orders and submittals; requested value engineering changes / construction options to achieve significant cost savings; coordinated the planning and permitting process with multiple municipalities; overseen project start up and close out; performed cost estimating, cost controls, risk management, quality control, value engineering and constructability reviews; implemented “contractor capacity assessment” for subcontractors to evaluate increased contractor capacity and project success; prepared and analyzed RFQs and RFPs as an owner representative and project manager; managed employee hiring and evaluation procedures; directed bid package preparation, evaluation and awards; performed unit cost estimates during the early stages of engineering and design for systems planning and alternative analysis studies; developed and managed minority contractor procurement programs that are project-specific, meeting or exceeding goal requirements; and administered bonding and insurance compliance.
Tim Stein, MPS, RD
Food Industry, Hospitality, Non-profits, Social EnterprisesTim Stein works with existing and startup businesses in several industries including restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, breweries, CPG, and hospitality/lodging. He also works with non-profits, social enterprises, and benefit corporations. Tim is a life-long foodservice industry veteran, with 30+ years of operations, sales, and consulting experience. He has worked in key leadership positions for several hospitality management, education, and business consulting organizations. Tim maintains his credentials as a registered dietitian and currently works for a natural and organic food brokerage company. He holds a BS degree in Nutrition and Foodservice Management from Cornell University and a Master of Professional Studies degree from The Hotel School at Cornell University.
Gary Tickle
Consumer Package Goods, Executive Leadership, GrowthGary is an Australian by birth and a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand. A dynamic leader with the extensive US and global experience driving transformation in a broad range of CPG categories over his 30-year career. He has eighteen years of C-Level experience ($200M – $10B revenue) including turnaround assignments, strong innovation agendas, and global strategy development, particularly focused on the nutrition and wellness space. Today he is the CEO, North America of a Software as a Service Platform for Field Force Excellence. Prior to this, he was the CEO of Hain Celestial North America, a NASDAQ listed natural and organic food company based in NY. He also had an extensive international career with Nestle, as Global Strategic Business Unit Head of Infant Nutrition based in Switzerland, before coming to the US as President and CEO of Nestle Nutrition North America. He was Regional Business Head of South Asia based in New Delhi India and CEO of Nestle New Zealand for five years. He holds an MBA from Deakin University in Australia, a Batchelor of Business in Operations Management/Human Resource Management and a Post Graduate Degree in Finance. Gary has held a number of Industry leadership roles, including Chairman of the Infant Nutrition Council of America and Vice Chairman of the Food and Grocery Council in New Zealand. He also served as a Board Member of Buckley Country Day School in NY and today is an External Advisor on the AT Kearney Consumer Industries and Retail Panel. His leadership style promotes a positive, collaborative and innovative culture driven by consumer insights and quantitative analysis. A people leader who develops motivated and empowered teams to build and execute a winning strategy and strong brands in highly competitive markets. A veteran of a major global acquisition, a global strategy role, multiple acquisition integrations, leading the South Asia Region, turnaround assignments in Operations and Industry body leadership roles.
Louise Walsh
Business plan writingLouise Walsh has more than 35 years of small business experience, providing a strong basis for her work with SBDC clients as she assists with business plan development and review. A Colorado native, Louise is President of Resolution Enterprises, LLC, a business consulting firm specializing in business planning. Louise is a 2006 Top Ten Business Women of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and continues to serve as an Ambassador Representative for the 13 states in the western United States. She holds an MBA from Denver University.
