Welcome to the Idaho Small Business Development Center State Office

Serving: The State of Idaho

Logo for Boise State University

2360 West University Drive, Suite 2132
Boise, ID 83725

(800) 225-3815 or (208) 426-1640

Impacting the State of Idaho with our no-cost consulting & affordable training

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464

Jobs
Created

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$32M

Capital
Raised

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$59M

Sales
Increase

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99

Business
Starts

Meet the Staff

Doug Covey, COBE, College of Business and Economics, outdoor portrait by Priscilla Grover

Doug Covey

State Director

(208) 426-2034
dougcovey@boisestate.edu

Doug joined the Idaho SBDC as Region III Director in 2015. In 2018 he transitioned to State Director. Prior to joining the Idaho SBDC, Doug served as an executive for a cloud-based company where he directed a dynamic team on strategic initiatives targeted to improve customer experience.

For 12 years he was CEO for an education service provider where he restructured the company while creating top line growth and reducing expenses. He held business management positions with the nation’s largest outdoor retailer for 10 years and has consulted with existing and start-up businesses.

He co-founded the Kids at Hope Association and established a joint partnership with the Kids at Hope Organization by creating the first Kids at Hope Academy for school-aged youth. He is a volunteer for EF Education First, which provides life-changing education for global citizens.

Doug graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and Colorado State University with a Master of Science Degree. He grew up in Arizona, migrated to cooler climates throughout the West and fortunate enough to call Boise, Idaho home with his wife, three children and occasional exchange student.

Deanna Berry

Deanna Berry

Associate State Director of Finance

Deanna Berry joined the Idaho SBDC as the Associate State Director of Finance in 2021. She brings 30 years of accounting and finance experience to the Idaho SBDC from various industries, including live entertainment, higher education, treasury, property management, real estate, non-profit, self-employment, and public accounting.

Deanna is a CPA and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University and a Master of Science degree from Boise State University. She grew up in southern California and moved to Boise in 2003 with her husband and two young children. She soon discovered that raising a family in Boise is a wonderful adventure. Deanna and her husband enjoy kayaking in Idaho’s beautiful lakes and rivers.

Margaret portrait

Margaret Bushee

Programs and Projects Coordinator

Margaret is an eighth-generation Texan who has a BS in Advertising and a BA in English from The University of Texas. After working in publishing for UT Austin she wanted to be more engaged in helping others directly so she went through Alternative Certification through the state of Texas.

Margaret taught seventh grade Language Arts for five years. She is a certified teacher in Texas and Idaho. She co-chaired several large gala events. She has been married for almost 30 years and she is honored to be the mother of four young adults.

She joined the SBDC in April of 2020 and enjoys working on a variety of projects that helps the state office serve the regional offices so they can focus on the small businesses they serve. Margaret’s motto is “upward and onward” and loves moving things forward and focusing on daily wins.

In her free time, Margaret enjoys pickleball and tennis, biking, walking, farmers’ markets, and growing beautiful flowers — pretty much anything and everything outdoors!

Belinda Breidenbach

Belinda Breidenbach

Environmental Assistance Coordinator

She brings her experience working for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Compliance air program in Washington D.C. She has written Clean Air Act regulations; led a team to create regulations that were straightforward and understandable; and developed compliance training.

Belinda has a B.S. in Geology from the University of Florida, a M.S. in Environmental Planning from Florida State University and an M.A. in Technical Communication from Boise State University. Belinda joined the Idaho SBDC in January of 2018 as the Environmental Assistance Coordinator. Her role is to assist businesses understand and comply with air regulations.

Glenna Tooman

Glenna Tooman

Website Administrator

Glenna is responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the business.idaho.gov website (formerly known as Idaho Biz Help}. She was involved in the development of and currently manages the website.

Glenna also performs market research and works on special projects for Idaho SBDC clients. Glenna is a graduate of Boise State University with a degree in Entrepreneurial Management. She has been with the Idaho SBDC since July 1997.

JillDenim

Jill Bosich

SSBCI Manager

(208) 426-3657
jillbosich@boisestate.edu

Chef Jill K. Bosich, AAC, a seasoned culinary professional, blends her passion for cooking with a wealth of experience spanning over 35 years. With a BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management from California State Polytechnic University Pomona, she’s explored cuisines worldwide, honing her craft in various restaurants and hotels across the U.S.

Jill’s culinary journey includes roles such as Executive Chef/Energy Programs Advisor for Southern California Gas Company, full-time professor at Orange Coast College, and Chef Instructor at Cypress College and Los Angeles Trade Technical College. She’s also the proud business owner of The Range Rider and the Cowgirl Cookie Co., delivering delectable treats nation-wide.
Recognized for her excellence, Jill has received accolades like the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Collins College of Hospitality Management and the “Top 40 under 40” award from the Birmingham Business Journal. Her leadership extends to culinary competitions, where she led ACF Culinary Team USA to victory.

Beyond the kitchen, Jill is a social media influencer, sharing her love for farm, ranch, and food. When not cooking or consulting, she enjoys horseback riding and ranch activities across the Western United States, embodying her nickname, “The Range Rider.” She loves helping people start businesses, realizing their business dreams and potential, helping them get started or grow. She’s excited to be a part of the Idaho SBDC State team, bringing additional financing solutions (SSBCI – State Small Business Credit Initiative) to Idahoans statewide.

Stanley_Caroline

Caroline Stanley

Associate Accountant

Caroline joined the SBDC as an accounting associate in 2024. With a background in accounting and auditing in the oil industry, she brings experience in financial reporting, analysis, and budgeting.

Originally from Texas, Caroline earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. She moved to Boise in 2023 and enjoys discovering new hiking trails, exploring state parks, and sketching what she spots in nature. Caroline is an active volunteer and can often be found helping out at a local stable.

Chase Heit, Small Business Development Center, faculty/staff, studio portrait by Priscilla Grover

Chase Heit

Data Research Analyst

(208) 426-1684
chaseheit@boisestate.edu

Chase was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. He decided to study at the University of Nevada. He graduated in 2020 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Chemistry. After a couple of years he decided to return to school to further his education. He studied at Texas A&M and received a Masters of Business Administration with a focus in Data Analytics in 2024.

Before SBDC, Chase worked in the Biotechnology industry. He has experience in contract research organizations, mainly analyzing samples from clinical trials subjects. He also has experience working at a research and development startup that focused on producing products that utilized Quantum Dot technology. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and camping. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Julian Portrait

Julian Ramirez

Graduate Assistant - Operations

Julian is from Fruitland, Idaho, graduating from Fruitland High School in 2019 as class valedictorian and has since then recently graduated from Western Oregon University in 2023 with a BS in Business while playing soccer for the University at the NCAA DII level. Prior to this, Julian received his DTA Associates Degree in Business Administration from Walla Walla Community College where he also competed for the men’s soccer program as a junior-transfer.

Julian will be studying at the graduate College of Business and Economics at Boise State University, looking to gain his Masters in Business Administration as part of the CTMBA program. He plans to continue his education in law school after finishing his Masters study at Boise State, along with pursuing a career in Major League Soccer as front office administration for the league or independent club representative.

Some of Julian’s previous work experience includes management internship and goalkeeping operations for small-scale competitive soccer club(s) Capital Futbol Club in Salem, Oregon and Inferno Soccer Club in Caldwell, Idaho. Aside from academia and work, Julian enjoys spending time with his family, attending concerts of any kind, and recently took on the sport of snowboarding as a hobby in his free time.

Gabi Means, Studio Portrait, Photo by Anabella Antonucci

Gabi Means

Work Study Student

Gabi is from Idaho Falls where she graduated from Compass Academy, a project based learning high school in 2023. She pursued her associates degree while in high school and graduated from College of Eastern Idaho with her associates degree shortly before high school graduation in 2023. Gabi is now studying at Boise State University double majoring in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship.

Gabi has experience in entrepreneurship as she started her own business over the summer of 2022. She created her own business selling hispanic baked goods at her local farmers market for her senior project. Along with that she has entrepreneurial experience with several different hobbies.

Outside of academia and work, Gabi enjoys listening to music, baking, and spending time with family and friends. Gabi’s favorite treats to bake are a Mexican cookie called Marranitos!



Our Host Universities & Affiliates
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