The Western Region of the Maryland network of Small Business Development Centers covers 4 counties: Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett. Our staff includes:

Mark Malec- Senior Consultant

Mark has been assisting business owners for over 27 years in a variety of service capacities. He has an MBA, and has taught several courses in the MBA program at Frostburg State University. He has owned his own consulting company, and has helped thousands in his specialty areas, which includes financing, planning, and marketing. Mark is also the western region Technology specialist and will assist businesses that have a technology focus.

Bryan Smith- Consultant

Bryan just joined the SBDC in August of 2011. Bryan has an MBA with an Entrepreneurship minor. He has worked in a variety of capacities in the financial sector, and specializes in International Finance.  With over 20 years of business experience, Bryan will assist business owners with their start-up and growth needs. He is currently an adjunct instructor at Frederick Community College and is pursuing his CPA designation

Alice Growden- Consultant/Intake and Training Coordinator

Alice has over 16 years business experience and has been with the SBDC over 12 years, helping hundreds of business owners acquire financing, start, or grow their business. She specializes in retail shops, business plan development, and financial analysis.  She has an MBA and works with clients who want to start micro-businesses. She also coordinates training activities throughout the western region.

Sandy Mehalko- Regional Director

Sandy is a native western Pennsylvanian but has lived in several Maryland cities. She has over 15 years of experience starting and running small businesses, has a B.S. in biology/medical technology and worked in several clinical laboratories. She then got involved in the business side of health care and earned an MBA and then helped people create marketing materials in the health care field. She then began a direct mail advertising franchise. She has been buying and selling her own businesses for years, and then became a business broker to help others sell their businesses. She is currently working on her doctoral degree in Management at the University of Maryland University College.