This week the Santa Clarita Community College District
announced the appointment of Steven Tannehill as the director of the
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by College of the
Canyons.

[view:node_ad=5]Tannehill, who comes to College of the Canyons with more than 20 years
of business experience in the real estate finance industry, will work
closely with Bruce Getzan, Dean of Economic Development at the college,
to provide leadership, direction and managerial oversight of the SBDC
and its operations.

 
Additionally, the SBDC director will provide in-depth consulting
services and formal and informal training services to current and
prospective local/regional small business owners regarding applicable
business management practices. Tannehill takes over the position
vacated by former SBDC Director Paul De La Cerda and Interim Director,
Charlie Gill.

 
“We’re very excited to have Steve coming aboard as the new director of
the Small Business Development Center,” said Getzan. “His 20 years of
experience in banking, working with small businesses and serving in our
local and regional communities will make Steve an invaluable asset to
the SBDC.”

Tannehill comes to the SBDC having spent the last 12 years as the Chief
Operating Officer of Countrywide Servicing Exchange and a Managing
Director of Banc of America Securities. Beginning in 2007 Tannehill
also served as an adjunct faculty member in the Finance, Real Estate
and Insurance department at California State University, Northridge. 

 
In addition, Tannehill has served on the Newhall School District
governing board since 1998 and has served on the board of AYSO Region
678 and Troop 888 of Boy Scouts of America.

 
Tannehill holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from University
of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from the Haas School of
Business at UC Berkeley — as well as his Series 7 and 63 licenses.  

 
“I am looking forward to joining the outstanding team of people at the
college, in the Economic Development division and at the Small Business
Development Center,” Tannehill said. “It’s my hope to utilize my
business experience, education and background in a public service role
that will provide a valuable resource for small businesses throughout
our region.”

 
The SBDC, hosted by College of the Canyons was launched in January 2006
and serves the Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley, and San Fernando
Valleys.  SBDC representatives assist prospective and existing small
business owners start, retain or expand their businesses by providing
workshops, one-on-one consulting, and many other resources to the
business community.

 
The SBDC hosted by College of the Canyons is part of a network of ten
Small Business Development Centers serving businesses from Santa
Barbara County, Ventura County and Los Angeles County.

 
“I envision the SBDC being a premiere source of consulting services and
advice for existing small businesses, as well as those who, in the face
of this difficult job market, opt to start their own businesses,”
Tannehill said. “In battling these challenges the SBDC will be a unique
and highly valued resource to help small businesses work through the
difficulties presented by the current economic climate.”

 
Among the goals Tannehill would like to accomplish at the SBDC is the
creation of an information conduit for small businesses in order to
help keep them up to speed with the opportunities that might exist for
them in the recently passed federal economic stimulus package.

 
“There are a wide range of benefits for small businesses in that
package, from enhanced tax benefits to opportunities to bid on energy
efficiency and other infrastructure projects,” Tannehill said.  “One of
my first goals will be to set up a process to help small businesses
understand what’s in the package and how they can compete for
opportunities the package provides.”

 

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