FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JANUARY 23, 2024
Nancy Kooienga
Director, Marketing & Communications
Phone: 616.210.9596
Email: kooiengn@gvsu.edu
Michigan Small Business Development Center Promotes Ron Stevens to Regional Director, Greater Washtenaw Region
Ron Stevens, Michigan SBDC Greater Washtenaw Regional Director
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC) recently promoted Ron Stevens to the position of Greater Washtenaw Regional Director. Stevens started with the Michigan SBDC in 2007 as a Senior Business Consultant, was promoted to Associate Regional Director in 2013 and most recently served as Interim Regional Director since 2023.
In his new role, Stevens will provide the Michigan SBDC Greater Washtenaw Region comprehensive leadership, oversight, planning, resource development, coordination and management to serve small and medium-size businesses in Washtenaw, Lenawee, Jackson, Hillsdale, Livingston and Monroe counties. Washtenaw Community College is the Region’s host institution.
“Ron’s the ideal choice for Regional Director. He has been an active part of building up his region over the past years as Associate Regional Director and I know he will do a stellar job continuing to develop his region.” said Michigan SBDC Chief Client Services Officer Beth Roszatycki. “He’s cultivated strong client relationships, and his leadership and relational skills are broad and deep.”
“The Michigan SBDC plays a vital role in economic development throughout Washtenaw County and the region in providing small business development services. Ron Stevens is a seasoned professional with many years of experience working with the SBDC and we are delighted that he has accepted our offer to lead the region forward as the Regional Director,” said Dr. Michelle Merusi, Vice President, Economic & College Development, Washtenaw Community College.
“I’m honored to lead an amazing team dedicated to helping our region’s small businesses succeed. I look forward to deepening the Michigan SBDC’s relationships with our partners in the Greater Washtenaw small business ecosystem,” responded Stevens.
Stevens has helped guide hundreds of businesses through the startup process and beyond. He has specialties in retail, restaurant and breweries, has received his professional certification as a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional and is part of the Michigan SBDC’s State Export Assistance Team.
He graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. In 1988, Stevens started working for the Kmart Corporation where he was tasked with working on numerous special projects pertaining to visual merchandising initiatives and implementing new store concepts. He also served on a regional team dedicated to improving store performance in the southeast Michigan area. Stevens then made the move to managing stores for Marshalls in 2002, where he specialized in correcting and eliminating deficient operations throughout metro-Detroit.
The Michigan SBDC provides no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michiganders looking to start or grow a business can connect to free export services, market research, cybersecurity resources and business education through the Michigan SBDC.
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About the Michigan Small Business Development Center
The Michigan Small Business Development Center’s mission is to provide no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michigan SBDC services are available through the support of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
The Michigan SBDC is committed to fostering and sustaining a culture of inclusion through equitable outreach and service to Michigan’s diverse business community. Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest Michigan SBDC office by visiting michigansbdc.org.
The Michigan SBDC is hosted on a state level by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. Regional hosts include Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, Mid Michigan College, Michigan Technological University, Kettering University, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College and Lansing Community College.