As the State Director, Linda Rossi leads a dedicated advising team at Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) and just concluded six years on the national America’s SBDC board of directors, the last two as Chair. Linda serves on the America’s SBDC Accreditation committee traveling around the U.S. visiting other programs and is a board member of the Vermont Employee Ownership Center (VEOC). Prior to joining the SBDC, Linda spent 20 years in the private sector as a national project manager for IBM, business manager for 4 start-up and growing small businesses, as an Adjunct Faculty member in higher education and the Treasurer and founding board member of a non-profit organization. In addition to a degree in business management, marketing, and psychology, she holds certifications in leadership, project management, entrepreneurship education, and workforce development; and received recognition for her efforts in disaster recovery with the SBA Phoenix Award. She settled in Vermont with her husband in 1995 where they enjoyed raising two daughters and being active in their local community.