Cindy Nellis

Cindy Nellis
Director

Cindy Nellis has been with the Clarion University SBDC since September 1996. Cindy is responsible for overseeing and directing the assignment and coordination of the SBDC staff and its operations. In addition, Cindy provides confidential one-on-one consulting to current or prospective small business owners and developing and instructing educational programs for the SBDC.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Cindy worked in the banking industry for 10 years. She graduated from The Ohio State University, earning a bachelor's degree in finance. She is a graduate of the Consumers Banking Association’s Graduate School of Retail Bank Management. Cindy office is located at the Clarion University SBDC main office

Amy Keth

Amy Keth
Assistant Director

Amy Keth has been a business consultant with the Clarion University SBDC since July 2004. The counties that she serves include Forest, Jefferson, and Venango providing free, confidential one-on-one consulting to current or prospective small business owners. In addition, she instructs educational programs and seminars for the SBDC.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Amy worked in the banking industry. She also has experience as a tax-preparer. She is a Clarion University graduate, earning a bachelor's degree in Finance and recently graduated from the Clarion University MBA program.

Amy meets with clients at the Clarion University SBDC main office and at outreach locations within Forest, Jefferson, and Venango counties.

Aleshia Marshall

Aleshia Marshall
Business Outreach Consultant

Aleshia has been a business consultant with the Clarion University SBDC since November 2017. The counties that she serves include Elk and McKean, providing free, confidential one-on-one consulting to current or prospective small business owners. In addition, she instructs educational programs and seminars for the SBDC.

Aleshia specializes in preparing comprehensive business plans that include detailed financial forecasts, as well as researching and developing marketing and advertising strategies, and providing general management assistance.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Aleshia worked in the private sector as an account representative at a machine company. She also has retail experience and is a former intern at the Clarion SBDC. She is a Clarion University graduate, earning a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Administration, and also holds an MBA from Clarion University.

Aleshia meets with clients at the Clarion University SBDC main office and at outreach locations within Elk and McKean counties.

Corry Riley

Corry Riley
Business Outreach Consultant

Corry Riley received an undergraduate degree in accounting from Clarion University. He then went on to receive his MBA from Clarion University in May of 2005 and at that time accepted a full-time position as an outreach business consultant for the Clarion University SBDC. Corry serves Cameron, Clearfield and Potter counties, providing free, confidential one-on-one business consulting to current or prospective small business owners.

Corry has worked with clients in many different industries and has assisted numerous clients with preparing comprehensive business plans. In addition, Corry provides assistance with research, marketing, employee handbooks, QuickBooks accounting software, Facebook business pages, and general management assistance. Corry instructs educational programs and seminars for the SBDC, including the popular QuickBooks seminars. Corry recently successfully completed training and has become a "Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor". Corry has many years of experience as a tax-preparer.

Corry meets with clients at the Clarion University SBDC main office and at outreach locations within Cameron, Clearfield, and Potter counties.

Tracy Reinsel

Tracy Reinsel
Business Outreach Consultant

Tracy has been a business consultant with the Clarion University SBDC since October 2014. Tracy serves Armstrong County, providing free, confidential one-on-one consulting to current or prospective small business owners. In addition, she instructs educational programs and training seminars for the SBDC and is the Coordinator for the Clarion University Entrepreneurial Leadership Center. Tracy specializes in preparing comprehensive business plan that includes detailed financial forecasts for SBDC clients. She also provides research, marketing and general management assistance to small businesses.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Tracy worked as an accountant in a variety fields including manufacturing, insurance and non-profit. She is a Clarion University graduate, earning a bachelor's degree in Accounting, and also holds an MBA from Clarion University.

Tracy meets with clients at the Clarion University SBDC main office and at outreach locations within Armstrong county.

Jason Strohm

Jason Strohm

IT/Business Consultant

Jason joined the Clarion University Small Business Development Center in October of 2017. He has both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in Graphic Arts and Communication respectively.

After graduating from Clarion University with his first degree, Jason taught art and marketing classes at DuBois Business College and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online. While returning to college for his MA in Communication, Jason started Strohm Graphics a web and graphic design firm located in Brookville PA. In 2008, Jason returned to the Clarion University, this time as their Web Designer/Developer working in the Marketing and Communication office.

In 2014, while maintaining his position at Clarion University, he started another company along with his daughters selling educational card games and teaching the girls how to build and operate a business of their own.

After nine years in the Marketing and Communication office, Jason transferred to the Clarion University SBDC as a IT/Business Consultant. This was in preparation of Matt Sopher's retirement, the IT/Business Consultant at the time.

"It was a good fit. I was still enjoying the Web Designer/Developer projects but a new work experience in a position where we help businesses start and grow every day was a refreshing change of pace. Each day at the Clarion University SBDC is completely different and challenging in a good way." – Jason

Jeanne Best

Jeanne Best

Marketing and Training Coordinator

eanne joined the Clarion University SBDC in January 2018. She is responsible for the coordination of training events and marketing them in all ten counties served by the SBDC. She also facilitates, teaches, and does follow-up reporting for workshops, classes and other training events. 

Jeanne has over 20 years of experience in many areas of business, including: management, operations, marketing, sales, customer service, human resources, and finance. She has worked in numerous industries, such as: marketing, education, health care, philanthropy, and technology. Jeanne is an entrepreneur by nature; she started her own business in 2012 and strives to help others start their own successful businesses.

Di Smith

Di Smith

Assistant Budget Director

Di processes all necessary budget transactions, invoices, etc. She assists clients and counselors to obtain various types of business information requested.