Mary Paulsell, Director

After 12 years in the state SBDC office serving as communications director and assistant state director, Mary moved to the UCIE in December to oversee center operations, training, marketing and reporting. Mary supervises the center staff, conducts market research for clients and serves as a field liaison to the state office. She is a certified FastTrac instructor for NewVenture and GrowthVenture.

Jim Gann, SBTDC Counselor

A Boonville native, Jim is a graduate of Central Missouri State University (B.S.) and William Woods University (M.B.A.). Throughout his academic career, he received many awards for his scholarship and service to the schools. Taking the next step, Mr. Gann has also regularly taught on both the occupational and university level, and has been a presenter at a number of statewide events. Jim’s business interests have been varied as well. As a small business owner, Jim has been involved in the printing/publishing industries, property management/development and construction. Jim is charged with working with the UCIE's high-technology and high-growth clients. He is a certified FastTrac instructor for TechVenture, GrowthVenture and NewVenture curricula. Additionally, he has been certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council.

Dr. Bill Nunnally, Director of Industrial Relations
C.W. LaPierre Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering

Dr. Nunnally holds B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Texas Tech University. Before joining the MU College of Engineering, he served as principal investigator at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1974 to 1985. He has also served as Director of Technology Transfer at the University of Texas at Arlington. His responsibilities in the UCIE include SBIR/STTR assistance, overseeing industrial relations between private industry and the University and matching University faculty with private sector research opportunities. Dr. Nunnally is a certified FastTrac instructor for TechVenture.

Dr. Paul W. Rehrig, SBTDC/SBIR Specialist

Dr. Rehrig holds a B.S. in Ceramic Science and Engineering and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University. Before joining the UCIE, he served as Director of Research and Development from 2001-2006 at TRS Technologies, Inc., a small business located in State College, PA that produces specialty electronic ceramic and crystal materials and components for medical, military, and commercial aviation applications. More recently he managed a research group at the Northboro Research and Development Center for Saint-Gobain High-Performance Materials, a $40B/year multinational corporation. Dr. Rehrig’s responsibilities include providing statewide leadership, expertise, and training to university faculty and staff, and private sector clients with SBIR/STTR programs. In addition, he will develop partnerships and connect constituents with MU faculty research, which will aid in improving the participation of small technology firms in the innovation and commercialization of new technology. Paul lives in Columbia, MO with his wife, Erin, a Ph.D. Student at the University of Missouri’s Bond Life Sciences Center, and their two Labrador Retrievers.

Bill Stuby, MO PTAC Counselor

Before joining PTAC, Bill served as the financial administrator for the MO SBDC state office. He is a retired federal employee from the U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ), Federal Prison System. He has held the positions of Accounting Supervisor, Contracting Officer, Controller, Asst. Division Manager, and Associate Warden. His previous position entailed supervising twelve department heads, six contracting officers and a penitentiary housing over 2200 inmates with more than 600 employees. His procurement background and expertise include processing major contracts in construction, manufacturing components and equipment, food and supply items. He holds a B.A. degree in business administration from Dakota Wesleyan University. Bill is a member of the National Contract Management Association, Missouri Association of Public Purchasing and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He is the national treasurer of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers.

Jana Weitkemper, MO PTAC Counselor

Jana was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri with a dual degree in Finance and Banking and Real Estate in May 2001. Upon graduation, she moved to St. Louis and attended UMSL's M.B.A. graduate program. There she worked for several organizations in the mortgage industry. After graduating with her M.B.A. in Management in May 2003, Jana moved to Austin, Texas where she worked as an Office/Operations Manager for another mortgage company. In 2005, she moved to Houston, Texas where she held several positions at Home Depot. She was also involved in the day-to-day operations of one of the largest landscaping and design companies, AJ's Landscaping and Design, in the Houston area.

Virginia Wilson, SBDC Counselor

Virginia worked for University of Missouri Extension as a business development specialist in St. Charles County for seven years before returning to her home of Columbia for a position as SBDC counselor in the UCIE. Virginia holds an M.B.A. from William Woods University and a B.S. degree in business administration from Columbia College. She is the recipient of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and University of Missouri Extension awards for business development. She is a certified FastTrac facilitator with emphasis in NewVenture and GrowthVenture.

Jay Edwards, Senior Area Manager, SBA

Jay has worked for SBA for several years, filling similar positions in New York City and Denver before moving to Columbia last December. He works with UCIE clients on accessing SBA funding programs and serves as director of the SBA's alternate work site for central Missouri.

Virgil Woolridge, Business Development Specialist

Virgil Woolridge is the University Extension business development specialist responsible for covering the northern part of the central Missouri service area. He is based in the Audrain County Extension Center in Mexico.

Chris Thompson, Business Development Specialist

Chris covers Cole County and the southern part of the central region for University of Missouri Outreach and Extension. He is based in Jefferson City.