Collin SBDC Director Marta Gómez Frey has spent more than half of her professional life helping small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed. Marta joined the Collin SBDC as a small business consultant in 2000, after 12 years at Hector Gómez Engineers, Inc., a family business that had benefited from small business support programs like the SBDC. Marta accepted a position at the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business in 2002, where she developed education and recognition programs dedicated to small businesses. Marta returned to Collin SBDC in 2006 and continues to consult with small businesses in addition to her economic development duties. Under her leadership, the Collin SBDC was named the Small Business Development Center of the Year in the North Texas Region. In the past five years alone, the center has helped clients access more than $95 million in capital, create 1,800 new jobs and helped increase sales by more than $50 million. Marta’s desire to help others doesn’t end at the center’s doorstep, however. Her passion for community involvement and servant leadership extend to civic and governmental organizations including the City of Richardson City Council, City Plan Commission and Charter Review Commission, Network of Community Ministries Board, the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association Board, and the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation Board

MFrey@Collin.edu

A veteran of small business creation, Alex Plotkin joined the SBDC in 2013, after more than a decade of building his own small businesses. A graduate of the Honors Business Program at The University of Texas with a Master of Business Administration from University of California – Los Angeles, Alex served as chief financial officer for Streetball Partners International, organizers of the Hoop-It-Up 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, until that business was sold. Alex has built businesses in areas as diverse as daycare, health clubs/athletic training, automotive aftermarket and restaurants. He draws on that experience when advising clients and considers his role at the SBDC as one of a problem solver, using both personal insight and professional experience to help his clients’ businesses thrive. With his assistance, clients have created more than 220 jobs in the past year and a half, while also seeing sales increase by $4 million. In addition to his work with small businesses, Alex volunteers at the North Texas Food Bank and was a founding member of the DME Exchange of Dallas, which collects and refurbishes wheelchairs, crutches and other durable medical equipment (DME) for those in need.

APlotkin@Collin.edu

Karen has an extensive background in sales and marketing including working for Minolta and Xerox. While employed with a small business in the Hospitality arena, Karen was a contributor to the company obtaining the 10th Fastest Growing Company in Dallas under $1 million in sales. Later she transferred to Houston and successfully opened a new branch for the company. Leveraging her sales, marketing and management background, Karen decided to purchase a franchise in 2002. In the 13 years of ownership, the company tripled in business, realized an average increase of 20% in revenues per year, averaged #5 Franchise out of the 140 stores, received the President’s Club, Franchise of the Year, Sales & Marketing Awards, and Gold and Platinum levels. Karen served as the Advisory Board President for the franchise, set on the Women’s Division Board of the Plano Chamber of Commerce and was a certified Women Owned Business through the Women’s Business Enterprise. She sold the business in 2015. Karen graduated from Texas Tech University with her Bachelor of Business Administrative degree emphasis in Marketing. Karen enjoys volunteering in the Children’s Ministry at her church.

KRaymond@Collin.edu

As a serial entrepreneur with over 12 years of business success, Michael is excited to bring his expertise to Collin SBDC. As a trusted advisor, he has assisted clients at various stages of their business cycle. His commitment to helping businesses navigate their entrepreneurial journey has resulted in his clients’ experiencing an increase in revenue, ability to obtain funding and effectively hiring for growth.

Prior to joining the Collin SBDC, Michael spent several years within local government helping to identify and create development opportunities for small businesses. A native of Illinois, he moved to the great state of Texas after selling his business. While in Illinois, Michael spent time working with the Illinois SBDC where he assisted clients with business plan development, market research, securing funding and managing growth. Early in his career, Michael spent several years in finance working with a leading financial institution.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree from Illinois State University and is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Texas. Additionally, he is a youth basketball coach and often times can be found at the various sports complexes within the DFW metroplex teaching the fundamentals of basketball.

MMcClinton@Collin.edu

Sara Yaeger attended Metropolitan State University of Denver to pursue a degree in Sociology. While in school, she started working in a real estate title office. There she worked her way up from assistant to Escrow Officer.  She worked in real estate for many years before relocating to Texas.  Sara has been an Office Manager for Lovejoy and Plano ISD for the past 12 years.  In addition to her work within the school district, she is the program director with a non-profit that provides shelter to homeless youth in the DFW area. She has also obtained her life coaching certification and is working on growing her  life coaching business. She understands firsthand the challenges faced when trying to start your own business. Sara has developed and successfully utilized her gifts of interpersonal relations and organization which she now brings to the Collin SBDC as the center’s Administrative Assistant. As the first point of contact for SBDC clients, Sara is committed to making clients feel comfortable with the process before them. She provides first-class customer engagement by facilitating the resources necessary to exceed client business goals.

SYaeger@Collin.edu