Staff

Debbie Chandler
Executive Director

Debbie came to MAC in 2006 from the banking industry, where her most recent post was as a Senior Vice President at Bank of America. She held various positions throughout her banking career, including lending officer, commercial banking officer, branch manager, private banking officer, and department manager. She managed the Microloan Fund at MAC until she was named Executive Director. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona in Agricultural Economics.

Wendy Cevallos
Director, Women’s Business Center

Tom Shambo
Director, Small Business Development Center

Tom’s 25 years of entrpreneurial experience as a consultant and software developer lead to opportunities of leading the information security team at CapGemini.  Tom currently serves as the Director of the Small Business Development Center where he has served for 5 years as a Business Analyst.  Tom has a degree in Business Management from the University Bellevue, Nebraska and is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and continues his small business ownership.

Karen Burns
Microlending Director

Karen has a lifetime of experience in the Arizona commercial banking industry.  She has worked as a corporate underwriter, portfolio manager, and litigation manager.  She received a Senate Confirmation to the Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals and during five years of service held each board officer position, including President of the Board.  She has served on the boards of Lohse YMCA, Friends of Sabino Canyon, Tucson Arts District Partnership, Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation Advisory Board, and has chaired the Annual Fund Campaign for St. Michael’s School.  She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Greater Tucson and served as a charter board member of National Charity League’s Tucson Chapter.  Karen received her BA and MBA from the University of Arizona.  She brings a strong financial background and a long history of service to Arizona and the Tucson community.

Bob Fick
Business Analyst, Small Business Development Center

Bob spent over twenty-five years as a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of fast growing and public companies, primarily in the computer, software and telecommunications industries.  Between coporate assignments, he also started and managed his own software business.  Bob’s coporate involvement included the turnaround of a venture capital funded computer software company, which he eventually took public, the turnaround of a publicly traded telecommunications manufacturer, the turnaround of a telecommunications distribution company, and the start-up of an e-retailer.  Bob holds a degree in business from the University of Arizona and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Redlands in California.

Amanda Holbert
Business Analyst, Small Business Development Center

Amanda Holbert holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Arizona in International Business. She has acquired diverse professional experience as an Executive of Target Corporation, Medical Laser Specialist for a Medical Company, and owner of a metal fabrication company. Amanda has a vast knowledge of Federal Contracting and is assisting small businesses in acquiring government contracts, 8(a), WOSB, EWOSB, DBE, SBE, MBE, HUBZONE, and Veteran Owned business certification. She is committed to helping small business owners get jobs to create jobs.

Jerone Davis
Training Manager

Jerone provides classroom instruction, case management, and consulting for English speaking clients at MAC. Jerone completed a BSEE from Northern Arizona University in 1992 and a MBA in Business Management from University of Phoenix in 2002, and is working on his Ph.D. in Education from Walden University. Jerone has reviewed hundreds of business plans and consulted with more than 150 businesses in the Tucson area.

José Tornero
Training Manager – Spanish Programs

José provides all Spanish services for training and consulting at MAC. José graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico UNAM as an Attorney with a Master in International Trading, and has been a business consultant for small business for 15 years. He has consulted for the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, Mount Hood Community College SBDC, and Clackamas Community College SBDC. His teaching experience includes Business Planning, Economic Development, Economics at the University of The Southeast, and the SBDC.

Rozanna Bejarano
Operations Coordinator/Grants Management

Rozanna, a native Tucsonan and graduate of Salpointe High School with an education in Business Administration has been with the Microbusiness Advancement Center for 6 years and has over 10 years experience working with non-profits.  At MAC, Rozanna is the Operations Coordinator and Grants Manager.  Rozanna’s daily operations include; purchasing, internal IT & communications systems support, client program services, human resources and audit services.  Rozanna is also spearheading MAC graduations and other special events.  In the last 3 consecutive years, she has dedicated her time to sitting on the board of the Minority Enterprise Development Week an Annual event that is the largest federally sponsored event on minority enterprise development.

Dakota Rattley
Administrative Assistant

Dakota provides administrative assistance to all staff members. She has over 7 years of experience she brings with her to MAC & the SBDC. She coordinates and assists with a multitude of workshops, graduations and conferences. She holds a Degree in Humanities from Pima College. Dakota is currently working on her Bachelors Degree in Environmental Studies at The University of Arizona.

Naomi Mendoza
Bookkeeper

Ashley White
Outreach

Ashley is responsible for website maintenance and class and event marketing. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Clemson University. Ashley moved to Tucson in ’09 to pursue a Masters Degree in Higher Education where she worked on campus as residence hall Community Director. She is now gaining experience with non profits and graphics with the goal of combining human rights work and art.