Bruce Simmon, volunteer advisor
Bruce Simmon has more than 25 years of experience in new product and new business development as a consultant for high-technology manufacturing and services businesses. Mr. Simmon spent more than 15 years in marketing and management positions for major US companies including NYNEX Corporation, Computer Sciences Corporation, General Electric Company and Dresser Industries. Mr. Simmon received a Master of Business Administration from Babson College and a Bachelor of Science with distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Within his first several years in New Bern, he participated in community development including working with Wash Away Unemployment, Uptown Business and Professional Association assisting young adults studying for their high school diploma, and assisting entrepreneurs and small business owners in growing their businesses.
Skip Bulkley, volunteer advisor
Skip Bulkley, volunteer advisor, worked in industry for Sanders Associates, Plainview NY and Nashua NH. Involved with military Electronic Counter Measures Systems. Also worked on Saturn V Ground Support equipment for the Apollo Space Program.
Left industry to pursue self employment and formed Video Lab in southern New Hampshire. Originally sold and serviced audio/video equipment to the industrial and educational market. Expanded into providing complete media systems to clients for various applications. Culminating 30 years of self employment and after the sale of the business, Mr. Bulkley worked in golf course maintenance in New Hampshire and ultimately in New Bern, North Carolina. Since being in New Bern, he has volunteered with several organizations. Mr. Bulkley received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Duke University.
Deborah Kania, director of the Small Business Center
Deborah Kania is an experienced executive, entrepreneur, educator, mentor and author. She is currently the director of the Small Business Center (SBC) at Craven Community College. The SBC which was recognized in 2018 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for collaboration and partnership. Prior to joining the SBC in the fall of 2017, she served as the Director of Communications for the college where she received the college’s 2016 Staff Excellence Award. Prior to joining the college, she was a partner and owner of a marketing and business development agency in Florida for nine years. Previous to owning a business, she worked for start-ups and fast-growth companies.
She has taught college courses in marketing since 2003. She authored three marketing books. Recently, she co-founded Autismazing.org, a nonprofit assisting autistic young adults in pursuing their career, college or entrepreneurial goals. Ms. Kania received a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and an MBA from Virginia Tech.
Are you interested joining our volunteer advising team, or know someone who may be? Please contact Deborah Kania at 252-638-1088 or kaniad@cravencc.edu.
Do you need confidential, one-on-one small business advising? Click to request an appointment.
