Our Team
Nate McBride
Director
The director for our SBDC. He was formerly a director of an SBDC in his native state of Utah, and started as the primary consultant for this SBDC in 1993. Nate received a bachelor's degree in marketing, and a master's degree in business with an emphasis in Finance from Utah State University. In addition to overseeing the operations of the SBDC, Nate conducts numerous seminars and workshops on financing, marketing, start-up, and small business management. He consults with clients to assess funding sources and help prepare appropriate financing proposals. He helps with cash flow management, budgeting, developing business plans, marketing and business management.
April Lopez
SBDC Specialist
April has worked with the center since February 2018. She brings a wealth of professional experience to the SBDC. She is the first point of contact when a client visits or contacts the SBDC. April takes care of training calendars and registrations, coordinating the scheduling of client appointments, and generally making sure the day-to-day operations of the SBDC run smoothly.
Les Fong
Business Advisor
He is President of Les Fong & Associates. Since 1981, Les has been an advertising and marketing instructor at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. Les helps SBDC clients evaluate and develop advertising campaigns, product/corporate positioning and sales promotions to maximize return on investment. He also provides input in creative development for print advertising, radio/television production, photography, email and web page design.
Stephen Keyzers
Business Advisor
Steve is a senior human resource consultant who works with business leaders to refine their HR strategy, and grow their business by increasing productivity and efficiency, while containing labor costs and reducing liability.
Steve is the President of Key HR a human resource consulting company that works with clients across California and several other States. Steve also serves as the Vice President of HR Services for Precision Manufacturing Insurance Services.
Steve earned a B.A. in Business Administration from California State University at Fullerton before receiving an M.S. in Human Resources Management from Chapman University in Orange, California. He holds Senior Professional Human Resources Designations (SPHR and SHRM-SCP).
Steve Morales
Business Advisor
Steve Morales is the founder and president of Mayaco Marketing & Internet established in 1994 and has been involved with a wide range of corporate marketing strategies & Internet projects. Mayaco works with numerous industries, government entities, and has developed a variety of projects for clients such as Disneyland and Disney World along with many others. Some of his past experience includes: Newspaper Associate Publisher, Advertising/Marketing Director and Business manager. One of three individuals (companies) selected to present marketing & media seminars for selected countries in Europe on behalf of the U.S. State Department. Mr. Morales has also been the recipient of numerous professional awards throughout his career and has a long tradition in community involvement. Steve assists clients with improving their online media presence with online marketing and advertising through social media and web page design.
Trudy Lackey
Business Advisor
Trudy covers both Claveras and Amador Counties and truly enjoys bringing her varied experience to each client that she works with to help them succeed in their goals. Trudy has lived in Calaveras County since 1992 after having lived in a variety of areas from New York to Alaska. She has owned several businesses - after commercially fishing in Alaska, she opened a seafood distributorship and seafood retail store in San Francisco. She has also owned a retail lotion and soap shop in Kona, Hawaii. She now currently owns a lease-financing business. When not running businesses, she has been involved in education. Her experience includes teaching, substitute teaching, running a large state educational grant, and being voted on to the local school board four times, serving for 13 years. She has also served as an executive director for two different local non-profits.
Gene Acevedo
Business Advisor
Gene Acevedo assists SBDC clients with business startups. Gene holds a masters of business administration and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Vastly experienced in community relations, skilled in business; not-for-profit organizations, government and the private sector. Strong background in strategic planning, budgets, team building and project management. He has demonstrated a strong ability to develop and implement solutions to multidimensional complex operational problems. Gene has held many roles in the Stockton community, including the president of the Mexican Heritage Center, past vice president of marketing for the Stockton Symphony board of directors, member of the Coalition of Mexican American Organizations. He held the position of Director of Community Outreach for the Hospice of San Joaquin for 7 years, the president and co-founder of Bilingual Weekly for 11 years, as well as a legislative aide to both Barbara Mathews and Cathleen Calgiani for 7 years. Currently Gene is an adjunct professor of business at San Joaquin Delta College and the Executive Director of the Stockton Impact Corps.
Tim Douglas
Business Advisor
Tim Douglas has over thirty years’ experience working as a cost accountant and CFO in Government, Non-profit, Billion Dollar Corporations and a Family business here in the Central Valley. He has a Masters of Organizational Development and Business Administration. Tim is a Certified Management Accountant and an Enrolled Agent with the IRS.
For the last four years, Tim has been retired and now works as a consultant with Small Business Development Centers in the Central Valley. He has assisted small businesses in several areas, 1. Obtaining micro and 504 loans, 2. Addressing operation and tax issues, and 3. Developing startup strategies.
