Staff Bios

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Staff Bios

Our highly trained and experienced Business Advisors can take the guesswork out of developing new ideas, investigating what’s needed to achieve your business goals, and making smart decisions when faced with a problem. Not only have they collected all the tools you’ll need to succeed and can partner with you to use them effectively, but they spend many hours each month on professional development training and networking so they can share the most up-to-date resources, relationships, and opportunities with clients. Add decades of “in the trenches” business know-how and you’ve got a team member that can help launch and boost your business to success.

Allison Dugan
Allison Dugan, Director

Uplifting enthusiasm, deep connections to local, regional, and statewide resources, and practical experience with the many issues small business owners face have made Shenandoah Valley SBDC Director Allison Dugan an impactful member, and now leader of the SV SBDC team. Praised by many advising clients for her real-world insights and guidance, Allison’s mix of advanced business education and 20+ years of tourism, sales, and marketing experience have been a keen asset to the organization and the business community overall.

In addition to delivering highly successful client work, first as part-time Program Manager and then as full-time Business Advisor, Allison has excelled at facilitating collaborative, community-related programs in her roles as Assistant Director, and now Director.

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Barry Henderson
Barry Henderson,
Business Advisor

Immediately after joining the SV SBDC in 2021, Barry Henderson went to work building and developing the SV SBDC Advisory Council, a panel of investors comprised of community leaders working in the insurance, accounting, banking, and business law. The Council has not only provided the SV SBDC with financial support but has also helped connect SV SBDC clients with valuable local resources to help them grow their businesses.

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Sara Levinson
Sara Levinson,
Business Advisor

Sara Levinson has been providing expertise in business expansion and restructuring for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and communities to the SV SBDC team since 2012. Sara’s experiences working in diverse sectors to assess and facilitate growth using tools such as strategic alliances, financial analysis, government funding, and economic development are a key contribution to the region.

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Diane McCarthy
Diane McCarthy,
Business Advisor

Diane McCarthy’s many years as a marketing associate in the fast-paced and demanding retail and food and beverage industries make her a sought-after business advisor at the SV SBDC. Her sensible yet creative approaches to common sales, merchandising, budgeting, marketing, negotiation, and customer satisfaction issues are easily applicable across multiple industries.

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Kaitlin Pomerleau
Kaitlin Pomerleau,
Business Advisor

Kaitlin Pomerleau is a marketing-focused Business Advisor who helps entrepreneurs and business owners turn their ideas into clear strategies and sustainable systems.

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Beverly Otzoy-Wentz
Beverly Otzoy-Wentz,
Client Services and Office Operations

Beverly Otzoy-Wentz supports the daily operations and client services of the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center at James Madison University. She plays a key role in advancing the SVSBDC mission by providing operational, administrative, and fiscal support that enables high-quality service delivery to small businesses across the region.

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Bryn McIntyre Rankin
Bryn McIntyre Rankin,
Contracted Advisor

Bryn McIntyre Rankin supports the marketing efforts of the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center at James Madison University. She is also the founder of McIntyre Marketing LLC, a strategic marketing consultancy that helps small and midsize businesses build clarity, consistency, and lasting momentum through thoughtful marketing.

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Jonathan Schrag
Jonathan Schrag,
Contracted Advisor

Jonathan Schrag offers bookkeeping consulting services for clients of the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center. His services include bookkeeping training, QuickBooks setup, cash flow projections, budgeting, sales and meals tax obligations, Harrisonburg and Rockingham property tax form preparation, payroll, and making recommendations for streamlining and organizing bookkeeping-related tasks.

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VSBDC Subject Matter Experts – Special Programs

Chris Van Orden

CBA Program Manager,
Virginia SBDC

Learn more: Craft Beverage Assistance Program

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Aaron Miller

International Trade Director,
Virginia SBDC

Learn more: International Business Development Program

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