Welcome to your North Idaho Small Business Development Center

Deborah Dickerson, PMP, MBA has been involved in project management for almost 20 years across many industries. She has an MBA in sustainable business as well as leadership training from Landmark Worldwide and lives in Sandpoint, Idaho.

She was a partner in a digital marketing firm for two years while doing contract work an additional three years with non-profits and small businesses. Most recently, she worked at Spokane Falls Community as an organizational wide project lead.

Deborah has created and executed digital marketing strategies utilizing Facebook and LinkedIn including email marketing. She also developed websites on a number of platforms.

When not working, she can be found biking, hiking, and skiing in the mountains or paddling around Sandpoint. She also enjoys serving at her church.

Linden Burzell, Ph.D., has over 40 years of experience as a business owner and manager, with specializations in manufacturing, large-scale aquaculture, and international trade.  He pioneered the development of the technology behind large-scale commercial shrimp aquaculture, fish hatcheries, and farms in Hawaii, Asia, and South America.  In addition, he’s worked in various executive capacities in India, Malaysia, China, Ecuador, Russia, Fiji, Australia, American Samoa, and the US.

As an owner, he manufactured after-market automotive braking products sold in over 25 countries.  Prior to retirement, he spent 10 years as the General Manager of a public water supply agency.

Lin is married to Kimberly, a writer. They live in CDA with their two dogs.  Lin is an avid fisherman and can be found on and around lakes and streams from North Idaho to Alaska when not at work.

Teree Taylor is a longtime supporter of the SBDC. In her career as Communications Director with the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber she helped spread the word about SBDC activities in chamber communications and publications. Prior to moving to Coeur d’Alene in 2010 she lived in Sandpoint, ID and managed a local bar/restaurant for 7 years.

Teree is a native Californian, before moving to Idaho in 1996 she enjoyed a twenty-year career in the fashion industry primarily in advertising and sportswear manufacturing. She completed the graphic design program at NIC, attended marketing and advertising classes at LCSC and has an AA in Merchandise Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles. Teree and her son run a growing CNC Manufacturing business in Post Falls. Teree is also a licensed Idaho Realtor® and notary.

Bob spent most of his career as Chief Financial Officer for a mid-sized mortgage banker headquartered in Washington State. The company started as a small business and Bob was proud to play a role in the growth and success of a company founded and run by visionary owners. Prior to that he was an auditor for a large national CPA firm where he worked on the audits of medium sized businesses in multiple industries.

After retiring in Coeur d’Alene, he has helped with financial reporting and oversight for his church and for a small start-up business. He is originally from New England and received his BA in Business Administration from Seattle University.

David Sims is the Executive Director of the Boundary Economic Development Council, where he leads initiatives to support businesses and foster economic growth in Boundary County, Idaho. With over 35 years of experience in both retail business management and public service, David has built a strong track record in both the private and public sectors.

He has held management roles in a regional grocery store chain and managed an industrial equipment dealership. David has also served as the City of Bonners Ferry’s Assistant Administrator, and as Executive Director of Selkirks Pend Oreille Transit, managing public transit in Bonner and Boundary counties. David has been Mayor and a City Council Member of Bonners Ferry, and is currently a board member and administrator of the Bonners Ferry Urban Renewal Agency.

David holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Nicolle Hansen, MBA has supported the economic ecosystem of the Coeur d’ Alene and Greater Spokane community for many years. She has a Batchlors Degree from Eastern Washington University and an MBA from Whitworth University with a concentration in Executive Leadership. 

For the past 9+ years she has worked for a Spokane based CDFI as a Women’s Business Center program manager and small business loan underwriter. Previously, Nicolle worked for a large credit union located in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene for over 20 years where she spent 18 years in consumer lending and business development. Her extensive experience in lending and credit report analysis has led her to specialize in loan preparation as well as advising trucking, agriculture, restaurant/food-based businesses, and more. Nicolle is an adjunct professor for Whitworth University in Spokane, teaching micro and behavioral economics.

When not working she can be found spending time with her husband Russ attending their granddaughter’s various sporting events and enjoying the beautiful north Idaho and western Montana outdoors, camping and fishing.

Bill has served as the Director of the Idaho Small Business Development Center at the North Idaho College since October 2005. Prior to joining Idaho SBDC, Bill served as the Executive Pastor of a large church. He has also performed strategic planning and organizational alignment for World Vision, an international relief and development agency.

As an entrepreneur he started two ventures and turned around two failing businesses. He also worked as a management consultant to Fortune 1000 companies in manufacturing, service, and non-profit industries. He began his career designing, building and running manufacturing plants.