Stony Brook University’s Resource Center for Small Businesses in Suffolk County will have a new leader starting Tuesday, officials told Newsday.
Martha M. Stansbury has been appointed director of the Small Business Development Center, also known as Stony Brook SBDC. She replaces Bernie Leiva, who is retiring after 20 years, including eight years on her board.
Stony Brook Center is one of nearly 1,000 SBDCs across the country, including one at Farmingdale State University.
SBDC partners with the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide one-on-one counseling, workshops, and other programs free of charge. Many SBDC advisors run companies and have college degrees in accounting, business administration, and marketing, among others.
Stansberry, 66, an East Setauket resident, said she joined Stony Brook SBDC in 2017 as center administrator. She has been responsible for developing and managing budgets and overseeing operations and marketing.
“We want to continue our support programs so entrepreneurs, especially in underserved communities, can learn how we can help them start and grow their businesses.” said Stansbury, referring to women and members of minority groups.
“We also want to continue to look at new industries such as wind energy and the green economy. How can we help our clients enter these new markets and become subcontractors? Can I do it?” she said in an interview.
With a staff of nine, Stony Brook SBDC helped 1,100 people last year, including 600 new customers, Stansberry said.
Before coming to the Center, he served as interim director of the Stony Brook business incubator in Calverton, business manager of Gallery North in Setauket, and worked as a consultant. Her volunteer activities include serving as president of the trade association Women Economic Developers of Long Island and treasurer of the Three Villages Chamber of Commerce.
