Clatsop SBDC

How do your colleagues describe you?

“Kevin is a very positive person, has high energy and is a tireless advocate for the success of SBDC clients and the business community.”

Why do you do what you do?

“I have had the experience of running a very large business in a corporate environment and also owning my own small business for several years, and feel that the combination of large and small business experience has allowed me to be uniquely qualified to assist businesses of all sizes and complexities.”

Bio:

Kevin has extensive experience in retail, having served 18 years as a senior executive at a national chain with more than 75 stores, as a retail store owner and partner in a national franchise.

Kevin is the Director of the CCC SBDC and has served as Executive Director of the Clatsop County Economic Development Organization (CEDR), a one-stop for local businesses. He also sits on the Cabinet of CCC, representing the education and workforce needs of the business community.

How do your colleagues describe you?

Why do you do what you do?

Bio:

Jeanette started working in a restaurant as a dishwasher at the age of 11, became an amazing “Hoedad” (tree planter) during her teen years, planting 5,000+ trees a week for the timber industry, and at 16, started a cross-country equine hauling business. Over the years, while working in the corporate, non-profit and government sectors, including 13 years as a school board director, Jeanette has honed her customer service and negotiation skills, along with her critical-thinking, accounting, budgeting, and strategic planning skills as well. She’s a busy mom, who loves being with her family, being outdoors, traveling, exploring new places and doing equine activities with her horses every chance she can.

How do your colleagues describe you?

Meyer has shown an incredible capacity for compassion, the ability to help address the challenges many of our business owners face, and wonderful listening skills. He is also a great colleague, bringing a spirit of generosity and a willingness to pitch in where needed and lead efforts to ensure that our team has access to all available information and resources.

Why do you do what you do?

As a Clatsop SBDC small business adviser, I have counseled business owners through one of the most challenging business environments seen in recent memory. I am especially proud of our work to create an entirely new entrepreneurial educational curriculum and have since led our Start-up Boot Camp course, which ushers entrepreneurs through the business planning process.

The opportunity to work closely with Clatsop County small business owners is incredibly rewarding and has allowed me to fully reengage with the community where I grew up. I have a deep-rooted passion for counseling and supporting those who are working to build successful businesses—and by extension build successful and fulfilling lives.

Bio:

Meyer Freeman took on the role of lead business adviser in March 2023 after three years as a part-time adviser with the Clatsop SBDC. He has advised hundreds of local entrepreneurs and business owners, helping them start, grow and sell their businesses. Originally from Knappa, Oregon, Meyer returned to Clatsop County after a 20-year career in Portland with a nonprofit. In 2022, Meyer launched his own business on the North Coast. He has since led two successful fundraising campaigns in Clatsop County.

How do your colleagues describe you?

Hermes knows what clients are going through. He has a compassionate style that makes it easy for clients and colleagues to work with him.

Why do you do what you do?

Our community grows stronger when everyone has opportunities. The opportunities are there, we just need to connect people to them, and that’s where I can help.

Bio:

Hermenegildo Ochoa has an extensive background in the Business Services industry in Mexico. He spent many years as the owner of an insurance agency and banking and finance, specializing in Capital Access and Financial Reports. He has an extensive background in business, including teaching financial administration and human resources at Tecnologico de Tijuana and Centro de Estudios Cristobal.

Ochoa recently owned his own retail food business serving Clatsop and Pacific (Washington state) counties, giving him a perspective on the importance and need to serve this fast growing demographic. He has a passion for serving the Latino business community, and continues to expand the reach of the Center by his outreach, connections and communication, relying on a customer service model involving flexible scheduling to meet the needs of the client.

How do your colleagues describe you?

My colleagues describe me as “ethical, practical, even-tempered, and kind”, and most often “a good listener” and “a patient teacher.”

Why do you do what you do?

Taking paths less traveled has led me to some interesting places and pursuits, but of all the things I’ve done, teaching has been my favorite. Owning a small business is more complicated and difficult than people imagine and being able to draw on my academic knowledge and real-life experience to help people be successful is both satisfying and fun.

Bio:

Eric spent over 40 years around the Portland restaurant scene, starting as a server with McCormick & Schmick’s while completing his BS degree at PSU, then becoming director of their retail products division. He co-founded Hot Lips Pizza in 1985, also working as a consultant and instructor at Portland’s SBDC. He joined Western Culinary Institute in 1996 as an instructor, eventually becoming VP of Academic Affairs before co-founding Oregon Culinary Institute in 2006 where he served as President until 2015.

In 2019, after a lifetime in Portland, Eric moved with his wife to Astoria where he is looking forward to engaging with his adopted North Coast community to help small businesses be successful.

How do your colleagues describe you?

Why do you do what you do?

Bio:

Josh has a variety of life experiences that have shaped his perspective and viewpoint of the entrepreneurial landscape. After growing up on the Oregon Coast, he and his wife explored various locations around the Pacific Northwest. His professional background includes everything from outdoor recreation/ski area management to managing retail and working as a fish biologist for the State of Oregon.  After an accident resulted in the loss of his leg, Josh spent the next decade following his dream of building and operating his own business. He also served on the Oregon SBDC Network State Advisory Council as a representative for the business community. Josh currently lives with his wife and children on the Oregon Coast.

How do your colleagues describe you?

Why do you do what you do?

Bio:

Grant has a varied history in business, from working in professional kitchens before he was even out of high school, to spending 17 years in retail. He has always had a passion for education, which led him to the fire service where he pursued every certification he could in fire and EMS. After that, he set his sight on higher education and earned three master’s degrees over 4 years.

He holds a Master of Science in Data Analytics, Master of Science in Management and Leadership, and a Master of Business Administration. Grant’s primary focus has always been creative resolutions to problems, particularly in the HR world.