Don Elmore brings many years of experience in consulting, executive and managerial roles to his position as Director of this Small Business Development Center. Those experiences have taken him into a variety of industries including computer-assisted instruction, networking products, scientific instruments, software development and publishing. He also co-owns a small retail business in Champaign, so he has firsthand experience with the issues faced by many small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Don provides help in a number of areas under the heading “business counseling” including start-up assistance, business plan development, financing, marketing strategy and more.

Mariel Huasanga is a seasoned exporter, and has traveled to more than 55 countries, lived abroad, received certifications in international logistics and international market intelligence, and founded two companies – a chemical/textile consulting firm and a biotechnological/chemical business.