Pennsylvania SBDC - University of Pittsburgh

Center Profile

Founded: 1980

Specialties: Technology Transfer

Counties: Allegheny, Greene and Washington

Please note: Allegheny County is a shared territory by the the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University SBDCs. Please search by zip code to find the closest center to you.

Staff Profile

Raymond Vargo

Raymond L. Vargo
Director

Raymond L. Vargo, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center, counsels businesses at all stages of their lifecycle. Working with businesses in industries such as retail, high tech, manufacturing and professional services, he provides strategic business and financial advice to help companies expand their profits, explore new markets and overcome business challenges.

Since opening the Washington County Outreach Office of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center in 1995, Vargo has grown it to become one of the most successful outreach offices in the Pennsylvania SBDC system.

He has become a leader and valuable resource for Western Pennsylvania businesses, and in addition to his consulting management responsibilities, Vargo teaches accounting and small business management to both undergraduate and graduate students at Waynesburg College and the University of Pittsburgh.

Michael Wholihan

Michael Wholihan
Assistant Director

Michael joined the SBDC to infuse his passion for entrepreneurship and education in support of the University’s mission for regional economic development. Michael’s committed to broadening our region to assist business owners with profitability and sustainability. As an advocate for small business growth, Michael brings value through the delivery of training and counseling.

He will work with the SBDC team to achieve its’ goals in fostering innovative ideas to strengthen and expand the University’s strategic outreach. Michael has expertise in entrepreneurship, financing, grant writing and higher education management.

Lee Ann Briggs

Lee Ann Briggs
EMAP Consultant

Lee Ann is an Environmental Consultant with the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP)), assisting businesses with environmental and health and safety compliance, pollution prevention and sustainability opportunities for new business start-up, overall operation and/or potential expansion.

Lee Ann has over 28 years of environmental regulatory compliance experience in both consulting and industrial capacities. In addition to her experience working as an environmental consultant with the SBDC EMAP program from 2000 – 2011, she was previously the Manager of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs for a paint and coatings manufacturer, providing full environmental, product safety and employee safety compliance. Prior to this she was an Environmental Scientist/Project Manager with two different Environmental/Engineering Consulting firms.

Linwood Mitchell

Linwood Mitchell
Senior Management Consultant

Linwood Mitchell is a Senior Management Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center. In this role, Linwood works with new and established entrepreneurs throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania to help their businesses start, grow, and prosper. Linwood brings to the Center over 15 years of financial services and Business Banking experience where he has specialized in helping businesses gain access to capital and manage their cash flow.

Linwood is active in the greater Pittsburgh community where he was recognized by the New Pittsburgh Courier as a 50 Men of Excellence recipient in 2012. He was a participant in Leadership Pittsburgh’s LDI program and has sat on multiple local boards. With a passion for leadership and learning, he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership.

Lauren A. Scholtz

Lauren A. Scholtz

Accountant and Grants Administrator

Lauren Scholtz joined the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence in 2007. She is responsible for monitoring and analyzing financial reports, processing accounts payable and receivable documents, and rendering her professional recommendation for cost effective and efficient financial policies.

In addition, she collaborates with the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Research, Research Cost Accounting and Institutional Advancement departments to prepare essential grant and program reports for proper correspondences with donors, pledges and other stakeholders.

Victoria Hassett

Victoria Hassett

Management Consultant

Victoria first joined the Small Business Development Center as an intern in Washington. As a Washington County native, she was thrilled to rejoin the team as a consultant in January 2015 managing the Washington and Waynesburg offices. She works closely with both start-ups and existing businesses to help them reach their goals. The majority of her work is focused on assisting clients with strategic planning, cash flow statements, and loan packaging. In addition, she does most of the educational programming within Washington and Greene County. She loves being active with entrepreneurs within her own community.

Prior to her return, Victoria worked as both a Financial Aid Advisor and Career Services Advisor at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School in Washington. In her spare time, Victoria sits on several boards and committees focused on civic involvement, ball room dancing, and education.

Christina Wilcox

Christina Wilcox
Management Consultant

Christina joined the SBDC as a Management Consultant in January, 2019. At the SBDC, Christina works closely with clients in various stages of their business growth. While working primarily out of the Oakland office of the SBDC, Christina also manages the client base at the Riverside Center for Innovation, maintaining strong business relationships and partnerships with the representatives of the Diversity Business Resource Center.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Christina was a supervisor for Guardian Protection Services, within the Service Department of Operations. Christina led a team of 5 representatives, specializing in sub-contracting dispatch. She held various positions throughout her 12 years there, and was a member of the New Home Builder Program, Residential Installation, Service Dispatch and Sub-Contracting Dispatch. Prior to Guardian, Christina also spent the early part of her career working for National City Corporation as a Loan Processor.

Zachary Patton

Zachary Patton

Management Consultant

Zachery Patton is a Management Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh’s Small Business Development Center. Currently, he works with startups and small businesses out of the Washington and Waynesburg offices. Zachery brings experience in the restaurant industry, business development, as well as sustainability initiatives. His focus is to help entrepreneurs position themselves to succeed and prosper.

Before he joined the Small Business Development Center, Zachery was the Technology Transfer Coordinator at the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Meghan Hillegas

Meghan Hillegas

Management Consultant

Meghan Hillegas is a Management Consultant with the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center. At the SBDC Meghan works closely with clients in all stages of business growth. With nearly a decade of experience in small business and nonprofit operations and financial analysis, Meghan focuses her consulting work in organizational management and financial forecasting.

Center Profile

Staff Profile

Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)