Penn State SBDC names new director

UNIVERSITY PARK — Kimberlee MacMullan has been appointed the new director for the Penn State Small Business Development Center.

MacMullan joins the university from Hermosa, Calif., where she was president/CEO for the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. She has more than 20 years of experience in financial operations and business planning for multiple corporations and nonprofits, including consulting for the Lehigh University SBDC.

MacMullan earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Smeal College of Business at Penn State and an MBA from Lehigh University.
Pamela Driftmier, interim executive director for professional and community education at Penn State, said MacMullan’s position at the chamber and visitors bureau gave her the expertise required to work with a vast array of businesses while overseeing financial advocacy, brand and administrative operations and partnerships with government officials, organization members, stakeholders and community.

“Kimberlee brings a wealth of experience and a passion for small business development that will support university initiatives in the areas of entrepreneurship, economic development and student engagement,” said Driftmier. “As the Penn State SBDC celebrates 20 years of assisting local business owners, her leadership will build upon the very solid foundation laid by past leaders and partners.”

MacMullan said her primary goal as director will be to ensure the Penn State SBDC is the first resource that comes to mind when an entrepreneur wants to move forward with a business plan.

“We have the talent and expertise to provide cutting-edge guidance to business owners, regardless of the industry. My goal for the Penn State SBDC is to ensure we deliver that expertise in a consistent manner and continue to expand education and engagement with the community,” MacMullan said. “I love vesting in someone’s effort when they are motivated, determined and focused and part of our job is to enable those traits in the potential entrepreneurs seeking out resources.”

Christian Conroy, state director for the Pennsylvania SBDC, said MacMullan’s wealth of management and business knowledge will be an asset to economic development initiatives in the commonwealth.

“We welcome Ms. MacMullan to the statewide network of Pennsylvania SBDCs and we look forward to having her as part of our leadership team,” said Conroy. “SBDCs are strong supporters of business growth and development and we are proud to have an experienced professional such as Ms. MacMullan join our program.”

The Penn State SBDC provides one-on-one confidential business consulting and low-cost seminars to pre-venture, start-up and existing small businesses located in Centre and Mifflin counties.