About

SBDC Staff 

We service our 12 county region that includes: Broome, Cortland, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga, Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, Yates, Allegany and Tompkins counties. Our offices have the capability to provide virtual consultations, face-to-face meetings, and phone conferences. Due to COVID-19, we are not offering face-to-face meetings or consultations. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Request Assistance

If you are requesting our assistance for the first time, please complete the online request form at https://www.nysbdc.org/selector/ReqForCons/formo.aspx to sign up. After completing and submitting the form, you will be assigned to an advisor within 2 business days. If you would like to work with a specific advisor, please state on the sign-up which advisor you would like to work with. 

If you are an existing client, you can schedule an appointment with your advisor by clicking the "Schedule an appointment" link at the bottom of your advisor's section.

---

Liam McMahon, Regional Director

Center Location: Binghamton, NY (Broome County)

Liam joined the SBDC April in of 2018. He has experience working and owning a business in the construction and real estate development fields for a combined 14 years. He has also spent time in academics, where he developed skills in grant writing. In the fall of 2019, Liam was hired as the region's technology advisor and frequents technology related events and seminars; outreaching to tech company start-ups and existing businesses.

Liam's Expertise Includes:

• SBIR/STTR assistance
• Team formation
• Lean Startup
• Business Model Testing
• Government Procurement
• Construction and Real Estate Development
• Project Management
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Schedule an appointment with Liam. Liam provides in-person assistance at our Binghamton office as well as virtual consultations throughout the region.

---

Michelle Catan, Advanced Certified Business Advisor

Center Location: Oneonta, NY (Otsego County)

Michelle started May 2011, bringing 17 years of banking experience and small business retail ownership for over 10 years. She brings her expertise in small business commercial lending, business planning, SBA lending and documentation, and financial analysis. Michelle is a presenter and trainer for all of our SBDC Oneonta area Small Business and Start-up courses.

Michelle's Expertise Includes:

• Lending
• Quickbooks
• Community Engagement
• Business Plan Development
• Cash Flow/Financial Projections
• Business Valuation
• Training
• MWBE and SDVOB Certification Process
• Retail

Schedule an appointment with Michelle. Michelle provides in-person assistance in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties as well as virtual con

sultations throughout the region.

Check out Michelle's Client Success Stories!

---

Susan Buchanan, Business Advisor

Center Location: Painted Post, NY (Steuben County)

Susan began working at the Corning SBDC in 1993, as the Office Manager. As Susan became more involved with the everyday task of answering clients and potential client's questions, she decided to work towards her Bachelor's Degree. She earned her BA through Empire State College as a part-time student in 2009. Shortly thereafter a Business Advisor position became available and Susan was offered the position.

Susan loves working with small business owners. It brings her a sense of pride to see the so-called "underdogs" become successful business owners.

In December of 2016, Susan formed Pawz & Purrz Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization. Susan holds the title of Chair and oversees the rescue, participates in fundraisers, adoption events and teams up with area schools to educate children on proper care of animals.

Susan's Expertise Includes:

• Business Plan Development
• Web Design
• M/WBE Certification

Schedule an appointment with Susan. Susan provides in-person assistance at our  office in Painted Post as well as virtual consultations throughout the region.

Check out Susan's Client Success Stories!

  

---

Jean Carolus, Assistant Director

Center Location: Binghamton, NY (Broome County)

Jean has been assisting New York state small businesses since 2001, first as a business analyst, and now, as an advisor for the Small Business Development Center at Binghamton. Jean is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo and received her Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science.

She began her career as a software programmer / analyst and has migrated to business and financial analysis.  As part of her analysis background, she has been instrumental in helping companies emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  She is passionate about small businesses and enjoys assisting them.

Jean's Expertise Includes:

• Cash Flow and Financial Projections
• Quickbooks
• Manufacturing
• Business Plan Development
• Pivoting in Adversity

Schedule an appointment with Jean. Jean provides in-person assistance at our Binghamton office as well as virtual consultations throughout the region. 

---

Anna Hancock, Certified Business Advisor

Center Location: Binghamton, NY

Anna Hancock joined the Small Business Development Center at Binghamton University in April 2020.  She moved to the Southern Tier in 2007 and received her Bachelor's degree in Marketing & Business Management from SUNY Fredonia. During her time at SUNY Fredonia, she volunteered weekly at the local humane society and interned at the Fredonia Technology Incubator. 

Anna typically provides a broad range of services to her clients, including assistance with digital marketing and website development. For the Binghamton SBDC Center, she provides website updates, event planning, and communication.

Anna's Expertise Includes:

• Digital Marketing
• Social Media Planning
• Start Up Assistance
• Cash Flow and Financial Projections

Schedule an appointment with Anna. Anna provides in-person assistance at our Binghamton office as well as virtual consultations throughout the region. 

---

Robin Alpaugh, Certified Business Advisor

Center Location: Binghamton, NY

A graduate of SUNY Broome and Binghamton University, Robin previously worked in the New York State Senate, serving as Senator Fred Akshar’s Director of Operations. He has been the Executive Director of the United Way of Broome County and Deputy Regional Director at Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s Department of Economic Development. Before joining ESD, Robin was the Director of Alumni Affairs at SUNY Broome. Robin is active in the community, and a volunteer at many events, including Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally, Friends of the Forum, and Binghamton Noon Rotary Club.

Robin’s Expertise Includes:

• Business and Government Relations
• Business to Business Connections
• Project Management
• Community Engagement

Schedule an Appointment with Robin. Robin provides in-person assistance at our Binghamton office as well as virtual consultations throughout the region. 

 

---

Michael Herceg, Certified Business Advisor 

Center Location: Ithaca, NY (Tompkins County) & Painted Post (Steuben County)

Michael joined the SBDC in February of 2023. He has experience working with entrepreneurs having coordinated the Greater Binghamton Start-up Challenge, Launch Pad, a high school entrepreneurship competition. There he helped high school students write professional business plans and worked with local business professionals to mentor and judge. Michael is also a Binghamton University graduate having received his Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on leadership, consulting, and entrepreneurship. He is very passionate about small business and is eager to help with any business-related questions.

Michael’s Experience Includes:

• Youth Entrepreneurship
• Social Media Planning
• Business Plan Development
• LGBTQ+ Businesses

Feel free to contact Michael at: mherceg1@binghamton.edu.