MEET OUR STAFF
We understand how to do business in Southern Oregon. We’re here to make sure you do, too.
CENTER DIRECTOR
MARSHALL DOAK
Marshall has worked to build small businesses as operations manager, controller, and as a business advisor throughout his career. Through these positions, Marshall has managed operations ranging from 1 to 225 employees, has extensive experience regarding the production and distribution of products, and has a thorough understanding of the hurdles small business people face in order to grow their businesses.
Areas of expertise include financial management, operations management, business strategies and planning for transitioning businesses between entrepreneurs.
Marshall holds a Master of Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University.
Office: HEC 130
Phone: 541-552-8300
Email: doakm@sou.edu
BUSINESS ADVISOR – Volunteer
Fred Arnett
Fred Arnett is a seasoned professional with 45 years experience in manufacturing. He has a strong foundation in finance and accounting, having spent his first 20 years as, variously, accountant, controller, and chief financial officer. After moving into operations, he discovered he preferred working with people and systems more than with numbers. His last 25 years were spent in upper level corporate management, with responsibility for all aspects of corporate and manufacturing management: quality assurance and analytical labs, engineering, MIS/computers, facilities management, human resources, production control, purchasing, inventory control, and sales and marketing. He has experience working with governmental agencies, negotiating governmental and union contracts, overseeing facilities acquisitions and expansion, and selecting and installing & maintaining manufacturing computer systems.
Fred prefers to specialize in helping manufacturing and construction companies, and is proficient in computer systems, including Quickbooks.
Office: HEC 130
Phone: 541-552-8300
Email: farnett@aol.com
BUSINESS ADVISOR
Colin Bunnell
Over the past thirty years, Colin’s work has focused on Human Resources with an emphasis in developing, training and successfully managing employees/organizations. She has also owned two small businesses. While working in the Silicon Valley, in California, she built a successful consulting business providing services to Fortune 500 companies and coaching executives at numerous high tech start-up companies. Since moving to the Rogue Valley she helped build and co-owned a successful computer repair company, worked in senior HR roles for several companies and also works as a consultant doing training and development. Having created and managed two small business, she understands the challenges and rewards of starting a business.
Colin holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco.
Office: HEC 130
Phone: 541-552-8300
Email: bunnellc@sou.edu
BUSINESS ADVISOR
Tom Fallon
Office: HEC 130
Phone: 541-552-8300
Email: fallont@sou.edu
INSTRUCTIONAL BUSINESS ADVISOR
Ellen Holub
Ellen brings a varied career in both business and in teaching to her work with the SBDC. She started a restaurant from the ground up in 2011 and has turned it into a successful and thriving business over the past twelve years. Through that experience, she has learned to become more than proficient at nearly all aspects of owning and operating a small business, from financial to interpersonal. Ellen excels at organization, problem solving and creating systems that function smoothly regardless of who the operator is. Additionally, cultivating the people in an organization has always been of the utmost importance to her.
Prior to going into business, Ellen worked as an elementary school teacher in the Seattle area. Through her position as instructor of the Small Business Management course, she combines a lifetime of experience. She knows firsthand the challenges of owning and operating a start-up while simultaneously understanding how to teach and guide all personalities and levels. Ellen holds a Masters in Teaching from City University in Bellevue, WA and was herself a participant in the Small Business Management course in 2019.
Office: HEC 130
Phone: 541-552-8300
Email: holube@sou.edu
BUSINESS ADVISOR
Jack Vitacco
Jack has worked directly with small business owners his entire professional career. As an account representative for 3M Corp. for 20 years, and as an independent manufacturers’ representative for 12 years, Jack assisted wholesale distribution businesses to increase market share, develop sales personnel, implement effective product knowledge and presentation skills, and management of profit. Areas of expertise include business start-up, marketing, sales, distribution, and strategic planning. Jack has a Master in Management degree from Southern Oregon University.
Office: HEC 130
Phone: 541-552-8300
Email: vitaccoja@sou.edu
BUSINESS ADVISOR
Jon Wilbrecht
Jon’s management consulting niche is to quickly gain an understanding of a company’s diverse management issues and then help implement a practical program to a.) achieve better management control of operations and b.) provide a foundation for future growth. Jon believes that often the key to improvement is establishing formalized routine reporting of significant company metrics.
For twenty-five years, Jon was the owner and CEO of a multi-factory, multi-product manufacturing company. In a challenging technology and economic environment, Jon diversified and updated product lines through acquisitions, sale of mature product lines, and initiation of strategic partnerships with companies in Germany, France, Israel, and Japan. Since the sale of the company to European buyers, he has been actively consulting with manufacturers and value-added distributors.
Jon’s specialties are designing practical management information systems, strategic planning, and strategic partnerships. He has an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Office: HEC 130
Phone: 541-552-8300
Email: wilbrechj@sou.edu
All services provided on a non-discriminatory basis.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
