Tom Patton
Executive Director, Central Florida Development Council of Polk County (CFDC)
Tom oversees the following programs for Polk County:
- Business Recruitment
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- Tourism (Including Sports Marketing)
Tom's background includes a 15 year history with John Deere Company in numerous sales and marketing positions, ending as the Manager of Advertising and Sales Promotion for Deere's Southwest and Western region (Louisiana to California). There, he was responsible for coordination of dealer advertising, trade shows, new product introductions and sales meetings.
His economic development experience includes 7 years in Washington State, heading the industrial recruitment program for a two county region in Eastern Washington around the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
Following his Washington economic development experience, he took to come home and practice economic development for the City of Haines City. He then spun that program out of the City, creating the Haines City Economic Development Council where he was the Executive Director. Tom came to the CFDC in October 2003.
He is a graduate of Oregon State University (home of the fighting Beavers).
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Beth Clark
Vice President
Clark Evironmental, Inc., President
The Central Florida Development Council, Inc. Board appointed Beth Clark, President-Clark Environmental, Inc. as the Vice President of Small Business Development Center. Clark owns and operates a small business in Mulberry, Florida and was previously an SBDC client. Clark serves as liaison between the private sector and our office. As a success story based in part on the collaborative efforts of SBDC counseling and expertise, Beth serves as an advocate and clarion for the services we offer small business owners.
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Doretha P. H. Brooks, Director
Certified Business Analyst
Doretha Brooks serves as Director and Certified Business Analyst for the SBDC at the Central Florida Development Council Polk County. She specializes in a myriad of areas including Accounting, Business Start-Up, Personnel/Human Resources, Computer Technology and Business Development. She has 21 years of accounting experience in the government sector and is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurship, owning and operating an accounting and tax service for over 20 years.
This experience affords her the opportunity to provide clients with a unique counseling vantage point. Her accounting and tax background allows her to provide her clients with the technical expertise needed to soundly run a small business. She enjoys sharing this information with other small business owners anxious to hone their skills. Doretha earned her B.S. in Accounting and a M.A. in Urban Affairs, and Personnel Administration from Norfolk State University.
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Adrienne Darby
Certified Business Analyst
Ms. Adrienne Darby, Certified Business Analyst, comes to the Small Business Development Center at the Central Florida Development Council Polk County, following a 26 year career in the travel industry. During that time, she worked for a major air carrier and later as an Account Executive for one of the leading corporations providing electronic travel distribution systems. These opportunities allowed her to gain experiences in customer service, training, sales, contract negotiations and business consulting.
Adrienne is well equipped to roll-up her sleeves and work one-on-one with business owners, learning their core operational structures and challenges. While presenting educational seminars, and counseling small business owners through start-up and expansion challenges, Adrienne taps into her wealth of experience and breadth of acumen. Reviewing business plans and helping small business owners create viable loan proposal packages is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her job as Certified Business Analyst. Her
areas of expertise also include Minority Certification and Sales.
Adrienne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. She is also a Certified Fast Trac (Entrepreneurial Training) facilitator.
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Karen Samulak
Director of First Impressions
Whether you hear her smile through the telephone lines or see her smile as you enter the Small Business Development Center, Karen is always willing and ready to give you information on the SBDC services and schedule appointments.
Call Karen today to make an appointment with one of our counselors.
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Priscilla Greene
Program Assistant
Priscilla is a fourteen year veteran with the Small Business Development Center. She serves as Co-Director of First Impressions. Her guidance and wealth of information gives clients insight into the assistance that they can receive from the SBDC. Priscilla
is responsible for the scheduling and coordinating of all seminars.
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John G. Griffith
"Central Florida Region Volunteer of the Year 2005"
John G. Griffith & Co., Inc. , President
John Griffith is a veteran volunteer for the SBDC at the Central Florida Development Council Polk County providing services since 1996. John's knowledge and experience in the world of numbers affords him the opportunity to instruct small business clients and assist them in the development of their accounting infrastructure and address various tax questions.
John Griffith received a B.S. in Business Administration and a Masters in Business Taxation. He became a Certified Public Accountant and has practiced in public and private accounting for 28 years.
John's expertise is in the areas of small business taxation and accounting. He currently has several small business clients throughout Polk County.
John served for 4 years in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.
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