MCPED recognized by Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center

Two employees and a volunteer associated with the Small Business & Technology Development Center were honored for their efforts to help launch and support hundreds of small businesses in Macomb County.

The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center oversees 12 regional offices that provide counseling and training to small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the 83 counties of Michigan.  Each year, the MI-SBTDC honors outstanding achievements made by staff and volunteers.  

SBTDC Region 10 – headquartered within the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development – lead the pack with three of the seven awards.  Bob Madigan, Certified SBTDC Business Consultant and Susan Bates, Intake Counselor of the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development (MCPED) received top staff honors in a statewide recognition event that was held on May 15.  Also recognized was volunteer Linda Geary, a CPA and owner of a company that provides specialized services for businesses, for her willingness to share her knowledge and insight with SBTDC workshop participants. 

Madigan, on staff with MCPED for more than five years, has mentored nearly 680 clients with a desire to start or expand a business.  An accomplished professional and entrepreneur himself, Bob came to the department with 23 years of experience in product development, marketing and sales for Dupont. He was also a Vice President/General Manager for a manufacturer of hydraulic seals and an independent consultant to business.  He has a bachelor of arts in history and an MBA in marketing and finance. 

Madigan is also adjunct faculty for Macomb Community College and University of Phoenix teaching courses in marketing and business.  He sometimes challenges students to take on a real life assignments by working to develop business plans for SBTDC clients.  Overall, Madigan’s efforts on behalf of the SBTDC have helped clients receive loans totaling nearly $2.3 million and create 139 new jobs.

Bates, administrative support staff for MCPED, is often the first person that potential SBTDC clients speak with when they dial 586-469-5118.  In addition to her ability to point would-be entrepreneurs in the right direction, she also provides outstanding support to business consultants and greets the public at the Region 10 display booth during a variety of business related events throughout the state.  Bates also manages the events schedule for SBTDC related seminars and workshops, keeps the department’s Web site fresh, and contributes to the successful publication of MCPED’s electronic newsletter, eMacomb.

Linda Geary (CPA/CSEP) is a successful entrepreneur as owner of The Geary Group PC, a successful consulting firm in Shelby Township.  For the past three years, Geary has also been a volunteer instructor of SBTDC seminars held throughout Macomb and St. Clair counties.   Her commitment makes it possible for MCPED to offer a variety of informational classes to those interested in beginning or expanding a business in Macomb County.  Geary specializes in tax seminars and leads sessions on reporting small business income and expenses, tax issues related to employees, sole proprietorship and operating a home office.  In her tenure, Geary has reached out to more than 200 clients and also serves on a planning committee to develop and implement seminars that are relevant to today’s small business owner. 

All were honored at a statewide training conference held in Grand Rapids on May 15 and 16.    Don Morandini, Director of Region 10 SBTDC and MCPED Deputy Director adds, “Once again, we are extremely proud to be recognized by the statewide SBTDC network for the efforts of our people to help small businesses in the region succeed.  There are so many individuals out there working to carve their own niche in the marketplace – we want all to know that a competent and willing staff is here to assist.”