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Organization: College of the Canyons
Date: March 13, 2009
New Small Business Development Center Director Named
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — 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.
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."
