Lane SBDC

It’s Our Business to Help Grow Yours

Welcome to the Lane Small Business Development Center!

Our team is passionate about assisting you in achieving business success, from launching and growing to transitioning and selling. Our team uses the latest techniques and technology to facilitate your success through business education, advising and mentoring.

Our advisers and instructors will help you explore your opportunities and overcome your challenges. By assisting innovative entrepreneurs on their path to achieving results, we are committed to seeing our small business community thrive.

Connect with us now on the web at www.lanesbdc.com or by phone at 541-463-6200.

Let’s grow Oregon’s economy together, one business at a time!

Dan Collins
Director, Lane SBDC

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Our knowledgeable business advisers are experienced in all areas of business. From start-up to scaling and succession planning, the Oregon SBDC is here and ready to assist you.

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Meet our Lane SBDC Team of Advisers

Dan Collins

Director

Business Planning
Operations
Spanish Advising Read Bio

Dan Collins

Director

How do your colleagues describe you?

Dan is a calm and focused leader with a dry sense of humor. He wears a lot of organizational hats, isn’t afraid to help wherever needed, and likes to wear fun socks.

Why do you do what you do?

I thoroughly enjoy working with a team to resource and empower small business owners across our county. I like to say that small businesses are 60% of our local economy, but they provide 90% of the things we love. At the SBDC we get to invest in people that make the places and spaces where we live unique and fun.

Bio:

Dan Collins has both hands-on and academic training in leadership and entrepreneurship. He launched a successful small business in the Portland metro area, worked in a multinational organization with 400+ employees in over seventy countries, built a micro-business and community development non-profit in South America, and adjuncts with Bushnell University in the Masters of Leadership program.

With over twenty years of experience in for-profit, non-profit, and educational environments, Dan has developed a unique organizational leadership skill set. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Regent University with a PhD in organizational leadership. Dan is bilingual (English/Spanish) and specializes in executive leadership, team culture, organizational climate, entrepreneurship, change management, human resources, and cross-cultural dynamics.

Denine McMurren

Program Coordinator

Operations Read Bio

Denine McMurren

Program Coordinator

How do your colleagues describe you?

Denine is a dedicated and focused team-playing ball of energy who genuinely enjoys making people smile and laugh.

Why do you do what you do?

I really enjoy engaging with people and learning about them and their stories. Sometimes it just takes one person to show kindness, empathy, and active listening to make a bad day great for someone. I thrive when I am able to accomplish this.

Bio:

Denine believes in making personal connections and building trust with her customers, clients, and team mates. Her 30+ year career at Lane Community College has given her time to build strong work relationships and experience in human resources and operations.

Her years with a catering business, and doll accessories business owner have given her experience in customer service and sales.

Fernando Rivas

Instructor

Business Planning
Spanish Advising Read Bio

Fernando Rivas

Instructor

How do your colleagues describe you?

Fernando is always very kind to others and always willing to open doors for people that need assistance.

Why do you do what you do?

I have always liked helping others, and an advising role is no different. I feel that by sharing my knowledge, skills and experience with others, this allows me to help them reach their goals and make their dreams come to life. I am constantly thinking, "How would I like to be assisted if I were in their position?" and I try to do the best that I can to support other's needs.

Bio:

Fernando is originally from El Salvador where he graduated with his bachelor's in Economics in 2017. In 2023, he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Bushnell University.

Fernando's areas of focus include startups, business planning and general business finance and providing assistance to entrepreneurs in Spanish.

Paul Bullock

Adviser

Accounting
Business Planning
Marketing Read Bio

Paul Bullock

Adviser

How do your colleagues describe you?

"Paul is a student of business."

Why do you do what you do?

"I like working with entrepreneurs. They’re a different breed and they approach life differently. They have a can-do attitude. They have a dissatisfaction with the status quo and they’re dreamers. It's a kindred spirit, when you're talking to someone who feels the exact same way you do and you want to help them."

Bio:

Paul has more than 40 years of experience as a business strategist and financial consultant. He has owned, started, bought and sold businesses in a number of industries and has served on both public and private corporate boards, as well as charitable and educational boards. Paul has published six books on business and financial design and taught numerous educational credit classes.

Paul’s areas of focus include startups, general business, financial and business planning and development, and digital marketing. Paul is a U.S. military veteran. He has earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance and a Master of Science from the College of William & Mary.

Gary Smith

Adviser

Accounting
Marketing
Operations Read Bio

Gary Smith

Adviser

How do your colleagues describe you?

"Gary is always willing to share his incredible depth of knowledge, skills and all of his resources with clients and colleagues. Gary truly cares about helping people succeed."

Why do you do what you do?

"I’ve never done anything more rewarding in my life. I'm working with 100 businesses a year, so there's nowhere I can drive here and not understand the stories. And the impact I've had on their lives and the impact they’ve had on mine, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s unbelievably rewarding, affecting people’s lives in a positive way."

Bio:

Gary has been leading the leading and teaching the Small Business Management Program for more than 10 years, which includes the three-year cohorts, the SBM Alumni Program and the Employee Management Program. He has 30 years of experience owning successful small businesses in game manufacturing, convention and trade shows, travel agency, print and copy, restaurant and corporate training and consulting.

Gary has held roles in fortune 100 companies, is a certified bookkeeper, a Six Sigma Green Belt and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership.

Roger Wong

Adviser

Accounting
Business Planning
Operations Read Bio

Roger Wong

Adviser

How do your colleagues describe you?

"Roger is energetic, light hearted, and above all an asset to our clients."

Why do you do what you do?

"I enjoy each of my clients, and I take a personal interest in each of their diverse stories. I have an immense amount of pride helping them fit the pieces of their businesses together. Knowing that my experience and knowledge have helped another business owner be successful is truly satisfying. Getting me out of the house and out into the community also satisfies my wife!"

Bio:

Roger has business experience with small and large companies, including corporate-level experience with national and international operations. He worked as head of operations for a New England pizza chain with 175 restaurants.

Roger’s areas of focus include startup registration, licensing and legal issues (does not provide legal advice), business entity and business plans, understanding government regulations, overview of financial systems, reports and statements, food service and restaurant industry, and strategic planning. Roger earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Washington State University.

Brenda Stebbeds

Adviser

Business Planning
Marketing Read Bio

Brenda Stebbeds

Adviser

How do your colleagues describe you?

"Brenda is the first to pull up the white board and offer up an out of the box brainstorm session when projects don't go according to plan!"

Why do you do what you do?

Born and raised in a family that owns and operates a local small business, I like to think I was an entrepreneur before I could speak. I do what I do, because I truly enjoy bringing my lifelong experiences to the table, to spark ideas, conversation and growth!

Bio:

Brenda has been a licensed massage therapist and small business owner for over 15 years. Well known for her work in Oregon’s wellness community; after earning an AS Degree in Business Management in 2011, she founded and operated a wellness retail shop in downtown Eugene for 10 years.

Additionally, Brenda has served as an adjunct instructor of Business and Ethics for the Massage Therapy Programs at Lane Community College and Rogue Community College, where she found a true passion for education.

Casie Brabham

Adviser

Business Planning
Marketing Read Bio

Casie Brabham

Adviser

How do your colleagues describe you?

"Casie has strong communication and listening skills that put our clients at ease."

Why do you do what you do?

I really enjoy getting to know the small business in our community. Seeing another entrepreneur reach their business goals because I advised them is so rewarding. I also enjoy being surrounded by the abundance of knowledge in the SBDC office. As an entrepreneur myself I don’t think there is a place any more valuable to be.

Bio:

Casie graduated from the University of Oregon in 2012 with a degree in English. Immediately after graduation, she moved to Mexico where she taught business English for three years. Upon returning to the U.S., she continued to run her craft business and joined the Lane SBDC team. Due to her experience running her own business she specializes in marketing, digital marketing, e-commerce, and business planning.

Jason Petorak

Instructor

Business Planning Read Bio

Jason Petorak

Instructor

How do your colleagues describe you?

"Hard working"

"Always willing to Help"

Why do you do what you do?

I love to help people find a way to make starting their new business exciting, rather than intimidating. It's amazing to see the self-realization in their eyes when they realize success is possible.

Bio:

Jason has 20 years' experience in cybersecurity and owns a photography business. He has worked many retail management jobs allowing for an advanced understanding of both the management and ownership levels of business. Jason’s main area of focus is customer intake, assisting new clients by performing a needs assessment, and then connecting them with an adviser who has the specialized skill set to fit their needs. He is also the CCB Specialist for the team, assisting potential contractors with obtaining their CCB license and getting them started on the path to writing a business plan.

Eric Lind

Adviser

Business Planning
Capital Access Read Bio

Eric Lind

Adviser

How do your colleagues describe you?

A wise and thoughtful professional who combines his deep well of business, banking, and financial experience with straightforward honesty and a keen sense of humor.

Why do you do what you do?

I have always enjoyed working with entrepreneurs and seeing what makes them successful. It is very rewarding when you can help them with their future plans by supporting them through ideas and appropriate critical suggestions. Having been a commercial loan officer, I can provide funding options for them and help them understand the pros and cons of each program.

Bio:

Eric is an advisor with Oregon’s SBDC network’s Capital Access Team (CAT). He specializes in helping small business owners with business planning, developing financial strategies, and accessing debt along with equity funding.

Eric has 40 years of experience in the financial services industry including 20 years as a commercial real estate and business loan officer. He specialized in business acquisition financing, business lending, and investor commercial real estate lending. He has been active in his communities including past president of Eugene Delta Rotary Club and United Way of Southwestern Oregon. He served three years on the Oregon State Board of Accountancy along with serving seven years on the Loan Committee for Evergreen Business Capital, Seattle, WA. He has a degree in Economics from the University of Oregon.

It’s Our Business to Help Grow Yours

Whenever I had an idea and brought it to (my adviser) he would tell me how I could do it. He wouldn’t do it for me but he would give me options. He was like a guidance counselor.

Jeff Gardner, Pasta Gardner

The classes led me to getting hooked up with an adviser, who told me about this loan program and helped me with my application. Having (his) help guiding me through that loan process was really great.

Dustin Pearce, Run Hub Northwest

So many of the basic skills you believe you should come into a business with I did not have, like basic accounting and marketing. I learned those things during those monthly SBDC classes.

Wendy Strgar, Good Clean Love

A lot of what has been helpful is (my adviser) confirming that what I’m doing is right. I’ve taken myself out of the job in the business and working on it is the best thing I could have done. But I needed to hear from a professional that I was doing the right thing.

Sheree Walters, Cornbread Café

They’ve just always been there to help me with any questions I had, or if they couldn’t answer my question they would get me in touch with the people that could.

Kevin Barrett, Swallowtail Spirits

Meet our Lane SBDC Team of Advisers

Dan Collins

Director

Denine McMurren

Program Coordinator

Fernando Rivas

Instructor

Paul Bullock

Adviser

Gary Smith

Adviser

Roger Wong

Adviser

Brenda Stebbeds

Adviser

Casie Brabham

Adviser

Jason Petorak

Instructor

Eric Lind

Adviser