Mohawk Valley Community College announces the following new employees to the Mohawk Valley Business Development Center, located at thINCubator, 326 Broad St., Utica:

  • Paul S. Arvantides, Business Consultant
  • David J. Lerman, Senior Business Consultant
  • Roxanne Mutchler, Regional Center Director
  • Shelby Sweet, Business Consultant
  • Judy Wolf, Government Contracting Coordinator

Paul S. Arvantides was appointed to the grant-funded position of business consultant of the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center. As such, he will provide business advisement services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business. Arvantides has been a business advisor with the MV SBDC since 2017. Prior to that position, he acted as a business manager for Northwestern Mutual, was vice president and head of U.S. Services at E4E Healthcare Services LLC in Maryland, and was the president/owner of Medical Coding Services, Inc. out of Baldwinsville. Arvantides holds a bachelor’s degree in health information administration from SUNY Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hamilton College.

David J. Lerman was appointed to the grant-funded position of senior business consultant of the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center and will provide business advisement and financial services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business, including clients with complex multi-million dollar projects involving multiple banks, the Small Business Association, economic development agencies, and other resource partners. Lerman has been with the MV SBDC since 2008, serving first as a business advisor and then transitioning to the senior business advisor position. Previously, he was the business owner/president of Rest Assured Mattress Center, Inc. in Rome and New York Mills, and the vice president of Lerman’s Furniture in Rome. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and public management from SUNY Institute of Technology and an associate degree in business management from MVCC.

Roxanne Mutchler was appointed to the grant-funded position of regional center director of the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center. In this position, she will direct the MV SBDC, providing services to local small businesses in accordance with New York State, State University of New York (SUNY), MVCC, and the Small Business Association. Mutchler has been with the MV SBDC since 2009 in a variety of capacities, including NY SBDC government contracting coordinator and acting director. Prior to joining the MV SBDC, she worked as a training design and development coordinator at Northern Safety Company, Inc. and was co-owner of Mutchler’s Inc., operating out of Herkimer.

Shelby Sweet was appointed to the grant-funded position of business consultant of the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center. As such, she will provide business advisement services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business. Sweet has been with the MV SBDC since 2013 as a certified business advisor. She also is a co-owner of George’s Farm Products, Inc. in Clinton and an adjunct professor at Utica College. She earned a master’s degree in management science and a bachelor’s degree in business and public management from SUNY Institute of Technology, and an associate degree in business administration from MVCC.

Judy Wolf was appointed to the grant-funded position of government contracting coordinator of the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center. In this position, she will coordinate the Procurement Assistance Program for the NY SBDC and assist clients with understanding the procurement process, identifying state and federal contract opportunities, and applying for certifications. Wolf has held this position at the MV SBDC since 2015, in addition to acting as a certified business advisor. Before joining the MV SBDC, she worked in a variety of capacities at Adjusters International, including director, national manager, and manager of Business Development. She also worked as director of corporate communications at the Resource Center for Independent Living, a freelance writer and marketing consultant, and a senior writer, editor, and content developer for Infantino Associates in Rochester.