State Office – Kentucky SBDC

Kentucky SBDC State Office, Lexington, KY

The Kentucky SBDC State Office is the administrative and operational support “headquarters” of the Kentucky SBDC network.

Kristina Joyce

State Director

Kristina Joyce is a nationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship, business development, and economic revitalization. She has been involved in entrepreneurship for 40+ years. Having served as an SBDC State Director for 15 of those years, she leads the Kentucky SBDC statewide initiatives that empower entrepreneurs and small businesses through technical assistance, training, and strategic growth programs.

An entrepreneur herself, Kristina has launched and managed ventures in the arts, consulting, and manufacturing, and has taught entrepreneurship and innovation at leading universities. A lifelong advocate for continuous learning, she combines academic rigor with practical experience. She holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, dual bachelor’s degrees in Art and Education, and completed graduate studies at Harvard University Extension School. Certified by the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative, Kristina has been widely recognized for her ability to build consensus, foster innovation, and create strategies for delivering measurable results for organizations and businesses alike.

Scarlett Consalvi

Associate State Director of Programming & Outreach

Scarlett Consalvi joined the Kentucky SBDC team as Program Coordinator in 2017.
Prior to joining the Kentucky SBDC, Scarlett served as the Communications Director for Kentucky Retirement Systems and brings over 20 years of government relations, data analysis, and project management experience to her new role.

Scarlett received her B.S. in Journalism from the University of Kentucky and has been professionally active in the Kentucky Association of Government Communicators, the International Association of Business Communicators, and the National Pension Education Association.

Outside of the Office Scarlett enjoys spending time with her family enjoying the outdoors and is an avid supporter of local theater.

Kevin Norvell

Statewide Program Coordinator

Kevin Norvell has been with the Kentucky SBDC since 2007, serving in roles that include business coach, center director, and project manager. As Statewide Program Coordinator, he supports the statewide network of business coaches through program and project leadership, technology support, and training that helps advisors deliver consistent, high-quality service to Kentucky entrepreneurs.

Kevin’s primary focus is helping the SBDC network and Kentucky small businesses adopt AI and modern digital tools in practical ways. His work includes AI training and support, use-case discovery, workflow design for repeatable tasks, and guidance on responsible use that keeps privacy and good judgment front and center. The goal is simple: help coaches and clients save time, improve quality, and make better decisions using the tools available today.

Kayla Keeton

Strategy Analyst & Outreach Coordinator

Kayla started with the Kentucky SBDC as a Business Coach in the Ashland Center in 2018. In 2020, Kayla transitioned to the State Office and serves as an Outreach Coach for the entire Kentucky SBDC network. Kayla studied Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship and has an MBA from Morehead State University. She has a background in human resources and program development. She comes from a strong family of entrepreneurs and she enjoys getting to help other small business owners succeed.

Outside of work, Kayla enjoys spending time with her son, reading, and being outdoors.

Isaac Jones

Administrative Assistant/Office Manager

Isaac brings a unique blend of administrative expertise, public service, and artistic leadership to the Kentucky SBDC. A Lexington native, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Kentucky. Before joining the SBDC, Isaac spent a decade as an educator with Fayette County Public Schools and worked with the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, supporting production management and community engagement. He later transitioned into the private sector, joining La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, where his commitment to client relations and sales performance earned him a Certificate of Sales Achievement as a Peak Performance Salesman in 2023.

Deeply involved in the Central Kentucky arts community, Isaac continues to perform as a musician, actor, and composer, with a particular interest in music composition for theater and video games. He is passionate about empowering creative entrepreneurs and fostering Kentucky’s growing arts economy. In his free time, he enjoys tabletop gaming, theater, and time with his orange cat, Alvin

Dr. JC Phelps

Training Coordinator

Dr. JC Phelps joined the Kentucky SBDC Network as a Business Coach in November 2019. In 2023, he transitioned to the Kentucky SBDC State Office, where he now serves as the Statewide Training Coordinator. In this role, he oversees and coordinates educational programming for both emerging and established entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth. His work focuses on assisting in the launch of new ventures in Kentucky and enhancing the acumen and skills of existing businesses.

Dr. Phelps is a proud alumnus of Centre College, where he earned a B.S. in Economics and Finance. He holds an MBA from the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University, an M.S. in Strategic Marketing, and a PhD in Business from the University of the Cumberlands.

Ryan Ferguson

Marketing & Branding Specialist

Ryan joined the Kentucky SBDC team in 2020 as the Marketing Assistant. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts and Studies from the University of Kentucky, Ryan worked as a graphic artist in Owensboro, Kentucky. Ryan brings his experience working in graphic and layout design as well as social media management.

Outside of the office, Ryan enjoys UK sports, playing volleyball, and leading a local adult sports league.

Johnna Wilford

Business Officer

Johnna Wilford is the Business Officer at the Kentucky Small Business Development Center. She has previously worked for faith-based nonprofits and higher education institutions that impact and improve individual and community health through innovative and collaborative practice and research. Johnna specializes in education and training, project management, and finance. Johnna also owns her own service-based small business focused on women’s reproductive health. Johnna lives in Lexington, KY with her husband and is currently expecting her first child. In her free time, Johnna likes to read and teach group fitness classes.