Lexington – Kentucky SBDC

KENTUCKY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

in Lexington, KY

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Kentucky SBDC in Lexington

Serving the Counties of: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford

The Kentucky SBDC in Lexington provides one-on-one coaching at no cost to existing and potential entrepreneurs in Central Kentucky. The Kentucky SBDC in Lexington also meets the educational needs of the local small business community by offering a variety of low cost training programs taught by industry experts and qualified SBDC Consultants.

Tonya Parsons

Center Director

Tonya Parsons is an expert in operations, project management, and entrepreneurship. Prior to joining the Kentucky SBDC in Lexington in 2020, Parsons had experience handling accounting for small businesses, as well as financial coaching. Tonya is originally from Owensboro, KY, but since earning her degree in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky, she has resided in Lexington. Tonya was acknowledged as the 2018 Business Networking International Notable Networker Award winner and participated on the Business Owners Advisory Board for Commerce Lexington from 2017-2019. She is an energetic self-starter that loves an adventure and is dedicated to helping others succeed.

In her free time, she works with the UK Alumni and the UK Women and Philanthropy organizations to raise money for scholarships. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, and cheering on the Cats!

Lee Goatley

Business Coach

Lee brings over 7 years of biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing, commercial operations, and supply chain experience to the SBDC. Previously, she was a Technical Proposal Lead within the Commercial Operations department at a multi-billion annual dose pharmaceutical manufacturer. Prior to that, she was the North American Operations Manager for an International Biotechnology Company. Lee has a BA in Biology and Spanish from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and a MBA from the University of Kentucky. She also has a Green Belt Certification for Lean and Six Sigma. Lee’s expertise includes product/process costing, data analysis, pricing, biotechnology manufacturing processes, manufacturing process implementation, ERP set-up and implementation, and supply chain logistics. Away from the office, Lee enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling with her husband, cheering on UK athletics, playing sports, and reading.

Stuart Arnold

Business Coach

Stuart comes to the SBDC to invest his more than 35 years of experience in small business marketing, communications, strategy, and leadership. He is a native of Perryville, Ky. (Boyle County) and a 1980 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in Technical Illustration and Graphic Design. Stuart’s previous positions include: director of marketing – Advocate Communications, director of community relations – Ephraim McDowell Health, director of marketing and public relations – The Center for Rural Development, editor/publisher – News Journal, director of strategic marketing – Grassroots Marketing, principal strategist/marketing architect – Strategic Planning Specialists. He has been a nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist and is the author of 100+ Tactics & Tips to Increase Small Business Revenues. In his personal time, Stuart and his family enjoy camping, hiking, tennis, disc golf, music, and many other activities. Illustration, reading, writing, and playing drums are a few of his favorite personal hobbies.

Becky Marefat

Communications Coordinator

Becky joined the Kentucky SBDC in Lexington in 2011. Currently Becky manages a family business which has previously utilized KSBDC services. Prior to this, Becky has worked as a bookkeeper and paid tax preparer, taught technology at the elementary level and spent 15 years as Data Processing Manager for a Kentucky- based retail company. She has an A. A. in business management and is certified in QuickBooks. Away from work, Becky enjoys boating and spending time with her family and friends.

Devanny King

Business Coach

Devanny joined the Kentucky SBDC in Lexington in 2020 with years of project management, consulting, and public relations experience. Devanny earned her Business Administration and Communication & Media Studies degrees from Georgetown College and her MBA from Western Kentucky University in 2018. She is a former professional athlete, playing internationally in Spain, Mexico and Australia before moving to China to work as project manager in youth basketball development and later as the Beijing general manager for the world’s top international internship provider.

Committed to youth development, Devanny serves on the board for a non-profit dedicated to providing adequate holistic education to youth living in developing countries.

In her free time, Devanny enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, coffee tastings at local cafes, spending time with family and friends, and exercising.

Devon Joiner

Business Coach

Devon Joiner joined the Kentucky SBDC in Lexington in 2020 with high-level expertise in accounting, financing and business management. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware and Inez, KY, Devon graduated from the University of Pikeville with his Accounting degree before earning an MBA in Finance from Colorado Technical University. Joiner has worked most recently as Director of Financing and Human Resources for Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center and as Senior Accountant for Tailor Made Compounding.

He is a family oriented person who likes to be in nature in his free time. He also enjoys gardening, hiking, and writing poems while sitting under a tree.

Kentucky SBDC in Lexington

Contact Us

Kentucky SBDC in Lexington

330 East Main Street, Suite 210, Lexington, KY 40507

Phone:

(859) 407-4777

NEWS

David Stevens celebrates 30 years with the Kentucky SBDC

March 1, 2019 No Comments

David Stevens accepting his State Star award from then SBA Administrator, Maria Contreras-Sweet. March 1 is David Stevens’ 30th anniversary working with the Kentucky SBDC.