SBDC Advisory Council
The State SBDC Advisory Council for the Montana SBDC Network is comprised of eight members who have demonstrated an interest in supporting and promoting small businesses and the Montana SBDC assistance activities. The members are appointed by the Governor. Members are selected to represent a broad range of backgrounds and skills, including not only those who have experience in small business ownership and operations, but also those who are in leadership positions in statewide economic development, holding positions in government, education and the non-profit sector.
The State SBDC Advisory Council is created for the purpose of acting in an advisory capacity as provided in 2-15-102 MCA: furnishing advice, gathering information, making recommendations, and performing activities that may be necessary to comply with federal funding requirements and does not mean administration of the program or setting policy. The purpose of the council is to leverage support for the SBDC Network, and to provide advice to the SBDC State Director of matters related to strategic planning, best practices, and solving marketing and funding challenges in the statewide SBDC Network.
The State SBDC Advisory Council Members serve for terms of two years, commencing when the appointments are made.
The following State SBDC Advisory Council Members were appointed on April 4, 2012 by former Governor Brian Schweitzer:
Tony Ennenga, CPA
John Cech, Ph.D., Deputy Commissioner, Two-Year Community College Education
Kevin Keeler, Owner, Coffee Shack
Carla Lott, President, Strongbear Corp.
Lisa Ballard, President, Current Transportation Solutions, Inc.
Dave Glaser, President, Montana Community Development Corporation
Carol Cunningham, Owner, C2 Business Solutions
Peter Christ, Owner, Bridger Creek Adventures
Ex-Officio:
Wayne Gardella, Montana SBA District Director
Andy Poole, Deputy Director, Montana Department of Commerce
