Consultants No Longer with the SBDC

HR | Justice, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Issues

Karen Wong-Brown is a first-generation Chinese American born in Hong Kong and came to the States at the age of six. She has resided all over the United States but has lived in Colorado for three decades. She has been an active community member in serving on various boards either as a leader or volunteer. Her passion lies within diversity and inclusion initiatives. Her educational attainment comes from Colorado State University and Regis University. She also worked in many different fields but her most recent one is in human resources.

Currently, she is the founder of Unified Workforce which helps underrepresented communities find employment through training and education and having a peer mentor while the individuals map their own road to success. She also helped with companies in human resources issues such as onboarding, retention, employee appreciation, and diversity training. She is passionate about social justice; therefore, she identifies herself as a JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion advocate).

When she is not working, she loves spending time with her loved ones and friends. She loves to travel, learn about the culture, and eat new food. Her creative side entails her love of writing poems and coloring.

Retail Business Consultant

Dave Hudson began his business career at age 15 buying, repairing, and selling bicycles in his parents’ garage. While working towards his BA at Colorado State University, he studied with great personal interest all aspects of retailing, financial management, accounting, marketing, and developing, training, and compensating individuals in business. He grew his business to eight locations in two states, embarked on a franchise program, and experienced firsthand the challenges of bankruptcy in 1992. After restarting his business, he expanded his portfolio by acquiring and managing residential and commercial rental properties. Now, as a Top Retailer in his industry, he is well respected in Northern Colorado as a savvy businessman and contributor to his community.

Financial Management

Bob practiced large animal veterinary medicine for over 40 years. Graduating from Iowa State University in 1972 he spent several years in rural farm and ranch practice in Iowa and Colorado. In the early 1990’s, while in practice in rural Iowa, Bob received seed capital from the Iowa Department of Economic Development to start up a specialized veterinary diagnostic and service company specifically aimed at improving health in cattle and swine – (Veterinary Biological Systems Analysis, Inc.). VBSA, Inc. started as an entrepreneurial company offering consultation and laboratory services in the area of nutrition and nutritional physiology related to livestock production. In 1987 Bob acquired a U.S. Patent for his invention of a Mobile Livestock Intensive Care Unit (U.S. Patent #4,657,004).

During the last 15 years of active practice he did the practice and financial management for a 6 veterinarian large animal practice in west central Nebraska. During this period the practice experienced double digit growth in 10 of the 12 years through detailed financial management and marketing. Additionally, Bob assisted in the technology management of a 45,000 head cattle feedlot allowing for extensive experience in information technology and data acquisition. He also was responsible for developing and implementing the FDA Compliance Program for the feedlot. 

At the end of 2012 Bob retired from active practice and has shared his life experiences by being a guest lecturer at CSU, third year veterinary students, and also volunteering with local business development centers in the area of financial management and spending time with companies providing financial analysis.

Business

Kent is a Colorado native who grew up in Englewood, attended Colorado State College and the University of Northern Colorado. His degrees are in history, historical research, economics and geography.

After teaching for a few years in the 60’s he returned to the family sign business and has operated Smith Sign Studio full time since 1972. As a specialist in gold leaf signs, he wrote the textbook, Gold Leaf Techniques for sign painters which is now in its 4th edition.

After 40 plus years in Greeley he moved his family and business to Estes Park. With an interest in civic involvement, he is now on the board and executive committee of the Estes Chamber of Commerce.  He chairs the Entrepreneur Center committee and serves on the Strategic Planning committee for the EDC.

Smith Sign Studio is a Give Back Business Partner with Estes Park Non-Profit Resource Center. on the board and executive committee of the Estes Chamber of Commerce and now their ex-officio representative to the EDC