Our Counselors
North Country Small Business Development Staff
Rick Leibowitz
Regional Director
Rick Leibowitz grew up in Edison, New Jersey and stared his first business at the age of 17. He has a degree in Environmental Planning/Design from Rutgers University. After working for two years as a planner, he decided to open up a bagel store in Ewing, New Jersey back in 1991. He continued his foray in the food and beverage industry as the owner and operator of four other food establishments in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Alaska over a 16 year period.
In addition to managing his own operations, he served as a consultant for the opening of privately held food establishments and as food and beverage executive for two international corporations. He has managed operations that generated over $6 million in annual revenues and staff levels that exceeded 100 employees.
Recognizing his passion was small business development, Rick took a position as a business counselor at Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) in Alaska, Arizona, Indiana and now here in the North Country. He currently resides in Plattsburgh with his wife and three children.
Education
• B.S., Rutgers University, 1989
Andrew (Andy) Allison
Business Advisor
Andy Allison began working at Disneyland while in high school and was promoted and transferred to Walt Disney World in Florida, where he worked in Food Administration. He left Disney and began his own business, a retail and wholesale meat market.
His diverse food industry experience as a manager or food director, in addition to Disney, includes a five-star hotel, prestigious retail supermarket companies, a tennis and golf resort, a school lunch program, catered for a private food establishment and fast-food establishments.
Andy has experience in counseling, leadership in small and large group settings and in public speaking. He uses his talents in many different capacities since coming to the North County in 2000.
Education
• M. Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2000
• BIS, University of South Florida, 1996
Philip Cerne
Business Advisor
Philip attained the rank of Eagle Scout as a young man and entered the United States Army after high school. Then, with an honorable discharge in hand, Philip returned to Southern Illinois University, obtaining his bachelors in Aviation Management/minor in Flight. He gained business management experience with Sam’s Club as manager of both the bakery and café. Philip went on to manage two retail furniture stores.
Philip became an independent contractor starting his own business, “Today’s News Distribution,” which brokered wholesale newspapers. Over 13 years, the operation grew to become a wholesale distribution agency/corporation to distribute The New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, USA Today, Albany Times Union, Burlington Free Press and Troy Record distributing to three counties. The business, which he sold in 2008, serviced from 170 to 180 locations ranging from convenience stores to local libraries.
Philip obtained his Masters Degree from SUNY College at Plattsburgh with emphasis analyzing organizations, Six Sigma inventory control, business ethics, business finances and philosophy.
Education
• M.A., Administration & Leadership, SUNY College at Plattsburgh, 2007
• B.A., Aviation Management (minor in Flight), Southern Illinois University, 1989
Karen Stehlin
Business Advisor
Karen has been with the North Country SBDC since January 2002. She grew up and attended college on Long Island, where she obtained her bachelors degree in Business Administration from New York Institute of Technology. After college she completed Macy’s management training program, which led to a Sales Manager position with the company. After Macy’s she went on to work for General Mills and Chase Manhattan Bank.
A job offer from KeyCorp brought her to the Albany area, where she worked in the marketing department in the areas of product development and product management. KeyBank later moved her to Plattsburgh, where she was a Small Business Relationship Manager and later a Sales Manager.
Education
• B.S., New York Institute of Technology
Linda Willette
Administrative Assistant
Linda, a native of the Adirondacks who grew up in nearby Saranac Lake, returned from Texas in 2000. While living in Texas, she was a silver-level amateur competitive ballroom dancer in international Latin and American rhythm. She began working at the North Country SBDC in January 2002 after working locally in the printing and publishing industry.
She has owned her own graphic design business and has diverse experience that includes international business, marketing, sales, and entertainment. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and is completing her graduate degree in business communications.
Education
• M.A. Administration/Leadership: Business Communications, SUNY Plattsburgh, 2007
• B.A. History, SUNY Plattsburgh, 1982
• Study Abroad, SUNY Brockport, Fall 1981
• Albany Business College, 1979
News
New restaurants coming to Plattsburgh State
By DAN HEATH Staff Writer, Press Republican PLATTSBURGH — Two restaurants and a new natur...
Winds of change
By BRUCE ROWLAND Contributing Writer, Press Republican ALTONA -- It's been smooth sailing...
Blogs
North Country SBDC Blog
NYS SBDC Research Network Blog
