New Director Takes the Reins at Stony Brook SBDC: Expanding Resources and Outreach for Small Businesses in Suffolk County

Martha M. Stansbury has been appointed as the new director of the Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook University, effective Tuesday. This center provides resources for small businesses in Suffolk County and is part of a network of nearly 1,000 SBDCs across the country, including one at Farmingdale State College. The SBDCs are affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration and offer free counseling, workshops, and other programs to support entrepreneurs.

Stansbury, a resident of East Setauket, joined the Stony Brook SBDC in 2017 as the center administrator. In her new role as director, she will be responsible for continuing the center’s outreach efforts to help entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses, particularly in underserved communities. She also plans to focus on new industries such as wind energy and the green economy, helping clients enter these markets and become subcontractors.

With a staff of nine people, the Stony Brook SBDC assisted 1,100 individuals last year, including 600 new clients. Stansbury has a background in business management, marketing, and consulting