CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) announces the creation of three regional coordinator positions.

A division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the WV SBDC serves the state’s small businesses, from entrepreneurs with start-up concepts to established companies ready to expand, and every point in between. WV SBDC heads a statewide network of business coaches who provide no-cost, one-on-one consultations, training and connections to financial, technological, and other resources.

“Regional coordinators will provide leadership to help achieve our vision of being the most trusted resource to grow West Virginia’s economy through small business success,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin. “Part of their responsibilities will be to enhance our strong team approach, encouraging collaboration among our business coaches and delivering efficient and effective coaching services to WV SBDC clients throughout the state.”

The new regional positions will strengthen the connection between the WV SBDC Program Lead Center in Charleston and the business coaches in centers across the state. The coordinators will be involved in developing and carrying out strategic plans, disseminating policies and procedures, and conducting outreach to the small business community and service providers.

WV SBDC selected the new regional coordinators from within its ranks of experienced business coaches. They are Shannon Mitchell, Southern Region; Donna Schramm, Northern Region; and Douglas Spaulding, Eastern Region.

“As current or former small business owners themselves, they can empathize with the struggles and celebrate the successes that other small business owners deal with every day,” said Martin.

Shannon Mitchell joined WV SBDC in January 2017. She received her bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary. She has owned and operated several businesses with revenues from $200,000 to $10 million a year, and has experience in several industries, including food service, construction, government contracting, and insurance. Mitchell is a QuickBooks Pro Advisor, a certified Historic Real Estate Finance Professional and licensed West Virginia contractor and insurance agent.

Donna Schramm graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After serving in various roles with a financial institution, she joined WV SBDC in 1999. She is a Certified Business Advisor and holds an Export and Trade Counseling Certificate. An experienced entrepreneur, she and her husband launched Grown at Home in WV LLC, selling spicy seasonings in a wide range of flavors and heat levels across the country.

Douglas Spaulding joined WV SBDC in 2011. He graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is a Certified Business Advisor and a QuickBooks Pro Advisor. In the private sector, Spaulding has held managerial and executive positions in fields that include chemical, insurance, staffing and human resources. He has firsthand experience launching and expanding several successful small businesses.  

To learn more about the West Virginia Small Business Development Center and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, visit WVsbdc.com.