Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED)
MaryDawn Barnard
Business Consultant, Small Business Development Center
MaryDawn Barnard earned a Master of Public Administration with a graduate minor in Social Innovation at the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University. Passionate about public and private sectors both locally and internationally, she has assisted nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses with organizational strategy, marketing, funding, program evaluation, technology integration, and creative solutions for big goals all the way down to the finest details. As an entrepreneur herself with a wide range of interests, she is eager to help others navigate the modern world to ensure future success.
Debbie Brower
Bookkeeping Consultant Specialist, Small Business Development Center
Debbie Brower graduated from 天美传媒 with a BBA in Accounting. For over 8 years, she has worked as an accountant and used her QuickBooks Certification to help small business owners navigate their bookkeeping and maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records. She enjoys helping business owners understand their finances, improve their bookkeeping systems, and make confident, informed business decisions. Debbie is committed to providing practical guidance and support to build a strong foundation for long-term success.
Samantha Damron
Eastern Idaho Development Corporation
Office: 1651 Alvin Ricken Dr, Pocatello
Steve Russ
Client Manager, TechHelp
MBA, Boise State University
B.S., Boise State University
Steven, a long-time Idaho resident, began his career as a U.S. Marine Corps aviation technician specializing in armament and avionics for rotary-wing aircraft. Following an honorable discharge, he worked as a federal technician on UH-60 and AH-64 airframes before attending Boise State University, where he earned a BS in Materials Science and Engineering. He then joined QTI Sensing Solutions as a ceramics engineer, developing high-precision temperature sensors.
Initially starting as an intern, Steven quickly advanced to R&D, focusing on cost-effective ceramic materials and gaining full lifecycle product experience. After QTI was acquired by CTS Corporation in 2019, Steven became an engineering manager, leading teams in production and new product development. He is also certified as an AS9100D auditor and holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB).
Jeff Street, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Management
Office: BA 335
Ph.D., University of Georgia
MBA, University of Tennessee
BSME, East Tennessee State University
Dr. Street holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia. His areas of research and teaching bridge his dual interests in strategic management and operations management, particularly where processes and systems germane where operations management can be leveraged to achieve competitive advantage.
Tracy Tritle
Region 5 Director, Small Business Development Center
Tracy Tritle brings more than 30 years of experience in executive leadership, economic development, project management, and organizational strategy. A seasoned entrepreneur and consultant, she has guided executives, managers, and cross-sector teams through growth, diversification, and business repositioning across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Her career includes senior roles with Fortune 500 organizations and the successful leadership of a consulting practice focused on strategic capacity building, funding alignment, and high-impact collaboration. Tracy is an author and sought-after speaker and previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, teaching strategy and leadership.
Tracy has been influential on both a local and international scale, affecting change and catalyzing growth by influencing policy, advancing opportunity through funding channels, and creating/delivering projects on a global scale.
Known for her ability to bridge vision with execution, she is deeply committed to strengthening Idaho’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through practical guidance, partnership, and opportunity-driven innovation. Her leadership style blends rigor, creativity, and purpose, empowering small businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.