Our Expert Staff

 

	Jeffrey Saelens, Ph.D., Center Director, recently joined the SBDC staff at Stony Brook. Jeff received his B.S. in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Albany Medical School, and did his post-doctoral research at Harvard Medical School. Following 24 years in Research and Development in the pharmaceutical industry, Jeff worked in New York State government technology-oriented agencies for 17 years. Prior to joining the SBDC here at Stony Brook, Jeff was the Director of Research at the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation in Albany.
	Gloria Glowacki, Director of Operations, brings an expansive background of over thirty years in new business development, small business advocacy, and sales and marketing initiatives to her responsibilities over the past 12 years at the SBDC. Gloria's career began in the publishing industry, rising quickly to the level of VP of Product Management at McGraw-Hill. Gloria currently chairs the Brookhaven Town Small Business Advisory Council, and has contributed her expertise and time to many local and statewide initiatives designed to advocate and promote the needs of small business. Gloria has her BA in Multi-disciplinary Studies from Stony Brook University, and has been selected three times as the prestigious NYS Advisor of the Year, a statewide recognition of her outstanding contributions to the New York State SBDC program.
	Ann Garbarino, Certified Senior Business Advisor, joined the SBDC in 2004. She holds a BS in Organization Management from St. Joseph's College and an A.A.S in Marketing from Harriman Junior College. Ann's strengths are in marketing and management. Ann's 20-plus years of small business ownership experience provide her with a strong entrepreneurial background to assist other small business owners. In addition, she serves on the annual Women's Product Expo committee, sponsored by the Long Island Fund for Girls and the Middle Country Library Foundation. Ann is an active member of SCWBEC (Suffolk County Women's Business Enterprise Coalition) and various networking organizations for women entrepreneurs.
	Patricia Karlak, Certified Senior Business Advisor, has been with the Small Business Development Center since 1995. Pat received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Hofstra University and was awarded a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Adelphi University. Her expertise centers on business management, international trade and high technology companies. Pat has been selected twice as the prestigious NYS Advisor of the Year, a statewide recognition of her outstanding contributions to the New York State SBDC program.
	Robert Mealey, Business Advisor Robert Mealey joined the SBDC in 2009. Rob received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from New York University. Rob’s experience includes running a business consulting firm where he assisted companies throughout the Northeast and various management positions for manufacturing companies on Long Island.
	Susan Nastro, Certified Business Advisor, joined the SBDC in 2008. She has an MBA from New York Institute of Technology with a concentration in Management. Her expertise centers on business management and banking. Susan has previously owned her own consulting business. Her education and entrepreneurial skills enable her to advise and assist small business owners.
	Ronni Rosen, Certified Senior Business Advisor and Workshop Coordinator. Ronni’s education centered on the fine and applied arts. She has worked as a designer in the fashion industry and maintains a textile designing business when she is not counseling potential business owners. Her experience also includes co-director of an art school/gallery. Ronni brings her expertise and extensive background as a self-employed business owner to her responsibilities as business advisor. Ronni is responsible for coordinating the workshops for the Stony Brook SBDC and also initiated the Business Solutions Roundtable, a networking and problem-solving group for business owners.
	Bernie Ryba, Certified Senior Business Advisor-CPA; has over 25 years of business experience including public accounting, 15 years with Pfizer, Inc., and exposure to the brokerage and high technology industries. His responsibilities have ranged from financial and operational auditing to financial management, commercial development and strategic planning. A graduate of Stony Brook University, Bernie also has an MBA from Hofstra University, and has twice been nominated for NYS Business Advisor of the Year.
	Willa Smith, Certified Senior Business Advisor and Training Manager, brings over twenty-five years in sales, marketing, financial management and business development to the SBDC. Starting on Wall Street as an Investment Advisor, she transitioned to the banking industry as a Loan Officer, and was appointed VP and Regional Sales Manager for Residential Lending. Willa currently also teaches Entrepreneurship as an adjunct professor in the College of Business at Stony Brook University, and has presented many consumer workshops and seminars throughout her career. She has her BA from SUNY Oswego, her Masters in Professional Studies (MPS) from Stony Brook University, and has been nominated for NYS Business Advisor of the Year for the past four years.

Administration

Leslie Rurup, Intake Coordinator at the Stony Brook SBDC for the past 12 years, handles calls or e-mails for appointments, workshops, seminars and directions. In addition to her reception role, Leslie handles client organization, record-keeping, and special projects. Leslie brings to the SBDC an extensive administrative background of 19 years at Grumman Aerospace.