Andrew Strachan has many years of financial analysis expertise. He served as financial analyst/VP of finance for over 20 years in the U.S. and Europe, following an earlier career at two start-ups. Andrew leverages his experience for the benefit of his SBDC clients, as he assists them with financial model development, financial statement creation and review, along with strategy development, business planning and working with investors (pitch deck review, business plan, presentations). He is bilingual in English and French.

Over the last twenty years, Charlie Lowe has acted as a business consultant to the Small Business Development Centers and Centers for International Trade Development for El Camino Community College, Long Beach City College, and for Loyola Marymount University. He has 30 years’ experience in small business and international trade, having done business in 45 countries throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Charlie is bilingual in English and Spanish. He holds bachelors’ degrees in Latin American Studies and Economics and an MBA in International Management.

Larry Johnson has been a core advisor at the SBDC since 2012. His dual specialties are in the food & beverage industry, as well as debt and equity consulting. Larry is active after hours as a Rotarian in his local community and is also an aficionado of classical music and the LA Philharmonic. His weekend passions include golf, tennis and hiking the local mountains.

Deborah Deras has a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She has been a business owner since 2002, providing Fortune 100 companies with peak performance corporate training, and is also an international speaker and author. She has served as a marketing consultant to various Small Business Development Centers with her expertise in digital marketing. Her specialties include content creation, social media strategy, YouTube, SEO, Facebook, live streaming, podcasting, Instagram Sales, and how to speak with confidence on camera. She speaks English and Spanish and has been a sought-after professional speaker for over 20 years.

Mike DeDonato is a seasoned corporate finance executive and business advisor, with a demonstrated history of working in the manufacturing, healthcare, consumer goods, construction and aerospace/defense industries. Mike’s functional expertise is in accounting and financial management. He has been relied upon by clients for his competencies in financial management, M&A due diligence and acquisition integration. “I am dedicated to the success of every client and very much look forward to the actualization of client aspirations and visions.”

Starleen Van Buren is the SBDC director and has served in that position since 2008. She and her husband own a small business, so she understands the challenges that business owners and those looking to start a business face. Star has many years of experience in the field of marketing, and specializes in market research, planning, communications and public relations for small businesses. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from USC, an MBA from the University of Redlands, and a BA in communications from CSU Dominguez Hills.