Hilary Burkinshaw – Director of CenterPoint
Hilary has been working with entrepreneurs for over 20 years. Currently Director of The CenterPoint for Entrepreneurs at Governors State University where she manages a program of business consulting and training to help develop, finance, grow and improve small businesses throughout the Chicago Southland region. She also works with small business service providers to ensure that they have all the tools they need to effectively serve their entrepreneurial and business clients.
Since 2000, Centerpoint, the Small Business Development Center at Governors State University has helped the area’s small businesses raise $120m in loans to start and expand businesses, helping to create and retain over 6,000 jobs in the region.
Bob Rakstang – Assistant Director
As the Assistant Director of CenterPoint at Governors State University, and the Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at GSU, Bob is responsible for marketing CenterPoint services to the Chicago Southland region and counseling emerging entrepreneurs and existing businesses that seek help developing, improving, financing or growing their enterprise. In his CenterPoint role, Bob draws on his first hand experiences of 35 years of ownership and management responsibilities in all areas of a growing international manufacturing business including strategic planning, sales and market planning, new product introductions and acquisitions.
Don Brozek – Manager Illinois Technical Innovation & Entrepreneurship Services
Don joined the staff at CenterPoint Small Business Development Center at Governors State University as Business Analyst. Brozek brings a strong background in banking, finance, and strategy to our clients. He is a Graduate of the University of Chicago Graduate School Of Business – Finance/Accounting. His previous experience includes 15 years at Harris Bank in various credit, M&A, and consulting positions, ten years of small business consulting on finance and strategy issues, and several years in small businesses. He has also taught MBA-level finance/strategy courses and written two investment books.
Mary Ma – Director of IL International Trade Center at CenterPoint, GSU
Mary Ma joined CenterPoint as the director of new Illinois International Trade Center at GSU in April, 2011. She is responsible for providing targeted, high-impact services for export companies, including consulting and training , market research, technical assistance in trading, logistics, financing. She provides professional services to support businesses expanding to overseas market, especially the achievement of agricultural products exporting to Asia. A current client she serves received the 2011 Illinois Export Awards.
Mary has extensive experience in international trade and global logistics management as an executive with a Fortune 500 Chinese ocean shipping company, and has worked in China, New Zealand and managed the oversea companies in Singapore, Japan, Korea and Greece before taking the position at GSU. She also took the position as vice secretary general of China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association, to promote the International Cruise Industry entering Asian Market. She was a volunteer business counselor at SCORE Fox Valley as well. Mary has a MA in supply chain management from University of International Business and Economics in China. She also received an MBA degree from Northern Illinois University.
Mary Lou Ruiz – Loan Servicing Officer
Mary Lou Ruiz joined CenterPoint 504, nfp a/k/a South Towns Business Growth Corporation, on March 6, 1996.
She brought more than 23 years of Chicago and South Suburbs banking experience in management of student loans, supervising loan operations, loan servicing, and customer relations to her position with CenterPoint. Along with her primary responsibility of servicing existing SBA 504 Loans and maintaining necessary records for CenterPoint 504, she is responsible for promoting economic growth and community development and proving financial assistance under the SBA’s loan program.
Mary Lou is a member of the Professional Women’s Network and a Service Provider for Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Cindi Garetto – Loan Closing Officer
Cindi is the most efficient and organized person you could ever wish to meet. She makes the SBA 504 loan a reality by working with banks and clients to close the loans on time. Cindi joined the CenterPoint 504 team in November of 2006 as the loan closing paralegal.
Her primary role is processing and closing 504 loans. Cindi has an Associate’s Degree in paralegal studies and has worked as a real estate paralegal on the South Side for over 13 years.
Cindi has vast experience in real estate as she has performed hundreds of residential and commercial closings.
Judi Mack – West Area Representative
Judi brings to CenterPoint extensive experience as a small business owner consulting in marketing strategy development, marketing communications planning / implementation, grant writing, staff development, and training services to small businesses, community colleges, municipalities, and non-profit organizations. As a business strategy consultant, Judi has helped clients develop business plans, improve their management skills, and develop action plans for their business.
Elliott Johnson – East Area Representative
Upon his graduation from Howard University in 1977, Mr. Johnson began his career with the City of Chicago. Mr. Johnson maintained a successful career with the City of Chicago for the next eight years and held various positions that involved managing city departments within the Mayor’s office. He was responsible for monitoring and developing department operations, as well as administrative procedures and fiscal accountability of city departments and non-profit organizations, including the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Jewish Federation
and the Woodlawn Organization.
In 1985, Mr. Johnson left the public sector and from 1985 through 1996 went on to successfully hold various positions with three of the top five major breweries in America. His positions included Marketing Representative and National Sales Manager for the Miller Brewing Company; Vice President of Sales for the Coors Brewing Company; and Marketing Director, Sales Director, National Sales Director and Vice President of Marketing for G. Heileman/Stroh Brewery.
In 1996 he retired from the malt beverage industry and took on the responsibility of Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Southeastern Medical Centers, S.C., a thirty-five year old family owned business with which he still retains ownership. Heyward & Johnson, Inc. was incorporated in 1996 as a full service management services organization. Mr. Johnson currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Elliott Johnson is a result-oriented, accomplished, well respected philanthropist, entrepreneur and business owner, with a vast network of relationships within the United States. He currently serves as the Marketing and Business Development Consultant for several firms in a variety of industries. He has provided his expertise to a diverse group of clients, which include municipalities, educational institutions, information technology, commercial real estate, banking, newspaper, beverage and health care industries and non-profit organizations.
He enjoys a strong network of political relationships on both the local and national levels. He has served on the National Board of Advisors for the Democratic Leadership Council. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Howard University School of Business, Institute for Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Innovation (ELI) and Marketing Department.
Dan McAllister – North Area Representative
Dan joined Centerpoint in June of ‘09 as a business consultant and a loan advisor. His background includes being a General Manager, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Vice President of Finance at a major medical device and pharmaceutical company in the Chicago area. He holds a MBA Finance from DePaul University and a MS Accounting from Governors State University.
Julie Clarke – Social Media Marketing
Julie Clarke, owner of Jewels in Marketing, provides social media marketing and marketing services for CenterPoint. Julie has over 17 years of marketing and sales experience, in large corporate environments as well as in small and home-based businesses. Her skills not only include marketing principles but also 15+ years graphic design and a true understanding of the cost-benefit analysis of marketing programs. She graduated from NIU with a B.S. in Marketing as well as a B.S. in Corporate Communications. Julie has been involved with various marketing and business associations throughout her career, which include the Professional Women’s Network and Women’s Networking and Entrepreneurial Training. In the belief that we all should continue to learn, she has strived to continuously improved her skills, which now include Website Design, Social Marketing and Marketing Counseling services.
Marlene Lees – Office Manager
Marlene Lees is CenterPoint’s Office Manager. She has an extensive background in customer service. Marlene is the office’s go to person, she maintains and oversees the office processes, provides information and assistance to our callers and clients, confirms appointments, greets clients – and if you are good to her she may even make you coffee!
