Staff

Chase joined the HISBDC in May 2024. He graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo earning a BBA in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing in 2023. He attended Hawaiʻi Community College earning an Associate’s Degree in Business Technology. He was also a student employee assisting college counselors and advisors in helping other students reach their academic goals. He then transferred to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo to continue his education while also working in the Admissions Office. Upon graduating, Chase continued working at UH Hilo’s Admissions Office, but this time as a full-time Student Specialist and Coordinator where he assisted with college applications, data processing, and social media campaigns. With his knowledge and experience, he plans to use everything he has learned to assist the HISBDC as the Lead Center’s Marketing Specialist. 

Joseph Burns is the Hawaiʻi SBDC State Director, where his responsibilities involve direct management of all our service center locations state-wide. Previously, he served as the Oʻahu Center Director since 2010. During that time, the Oʻahu Center consistently achieved and surpassed its goals, multiplying the effectiveness of the SBDC in working with Hawaiʻi business clients to improve their financial management and performance, and to assist them in obtaining the needed capital to support their market and product/service expansion.

Mr. Burns’ background and training are in private industry, having worked in commodities trading, international business, and in intercultural relations. He started a manufacturing and exporting company and ran it successfully for 12 years before embarking on a second career in management consulting on the U.S. mainland and in Canada, working with an array of businesses, and on an extended assignment with a large military installation before moving to Hawaiʻi.

He earned an undergraduate degree in Chinese studies and language, and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He continues his education by engaging in a variety of courses and holds several business certifications. Burns has been recognized with awards from organizations such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) among others for his contributions to and achievements in economic development in Hawaiʻi.

Binil Chacko, is a seasoned Business Advisor, Songwriter, and devoted Dad, whose mission is to ensure individuals and businesses WIN at life, embracing fresh perspectives, innovative strategies, and nurturing relationships to thrive in every aspect. With a rich background including founding a business in 2011 and running a successful marketing consulting company since 2014, Binil brings a wealth of experience in guiding others towards holistic success. Through wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to nurturing growth, Binil empowers individuals and businesses to flourish in life, business, and family endeavors.

Pat oversees the Maui Center and the Hawaiʻi Business Research Library. Originally from Southern California and with a background in office management systems, Pat has provided assistance to advisors and small businesses for many, many years.

Claire is a seasoned business advisor with over 25+ years of entrepreneurial management experience and over 38+ years of financial leadership in Banking, Finance, Marketing, Commercial Real Estate, and International Business Protocol.

With a broad spectrum of expertise, Claire’s areas of specialization include strategic fiscal management, marketing research, business loans, business consulting, regulatory compliance, tax accounting, start-up training, franchises, and health industry startups. Her adaptability is evident in her consulting services across diverse industries, where she focuses on business plan creation, marketing management, enterprise risk management, leadership training, tax accounting, and strategic planning.

Claire has a diverse educational background, with an ASM degree in Managerial Accounting, a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science Management and Food Technology from the University of Hawai’i, and a MBA in Financial Management from the University of Phoenix. She also purchased her business finance franchise in 2000 and founded her business consulting start-up in 2002.  Claire also served on the boards of several trade associations.

Claire is renowned for her unwavering dedication to client satisfaction and her strong advocacy for small businesses. Her commitment to driving success and business growth is a testament to her passion and expertise.

Ken has over thirty years of experience in driving growth for small businesses and start-ups. With hands-on experience in B2B, retail and CPG, Ken’s areas of expertise include marketing, business modeling & planning, ecommerce + all things digital, operations and product management. Ken has held a broad range of consulting and managerial roles across many industries, including serving as GM/VP for all consumer programs for Wente Vineyards. Ken has a BA in Business Management from Saint Mary’s College.

Teryn joined the HISBDC in 2010, coming from the Media Relations department at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.  She holds years of experience in HR, Finance, and Administration at higher education insitutions.  Currently, she serves as the Associate State Director at the SBDC Lead Center in Hilo.  And in 2018, recognized as the HISBDC State Star at the annual, national conference.  She is a Hilo native who values SBDC’s role in fostering local businesses to form, grow, and thrive.

Jackie operates as the administrator for everything technology at the Hawaiʻi SBDC. She started her career as manager in the retail industry before transitioning into the field of small business at the West Hawaiʻi SBDC in 2012. She has her IT Certification from the Hawaiʻi Community College and continues to seek higher education training.

Lydia has been with the Hawaiʻi SBDC since 1996 serving in our Hilo Center. She has vast experience and knowledge in everything small business, including customer service, start-up assistance and training. Prior to SBDC, she was employed in Hilo by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DBED) and assisted the Business Action Center.

Alexandra has a wide experience in the HCM world across a multitude of industries, as well as over 15+ years in customer service. She also has experience with operating a local family owned small business. Alexandra has a BA and MA and enjoys to continue perfecting her skills and knowledge. She values the support the SBDC provides to the Kauaʻi community.

Will Smith has over 30 years of experience in business banking, management consulting, business start-up advising and has started and operated multiple businesses. He also has expertise in business financing analysis, strategic planning and business model development. Will is a proven problem solver in complex environments and possesses a unique skill set that allows him to attack new challenges with a creative and customer-centric mindset.

Wayne brings over 30 years of IT experience evolving from coder to senior management. With several dot-com/startup/entrepreneurial experiences, his technical expertise focuses on e-commerce, online marketing, and data security. Prior to HiSBDC, he served as the Small Business Solutions project director under EdVenture (Office of Continuing Education) at UH Maui College responsible for planning and executing curriculums for small employers to remedy skill shortages and education/training gaps. His community outreach and employer engagement experience, combined with his expertise in small business commerce and technology represents a compelling offering to assist our small businesses struggling to keep up in this ever-changing environment. He graduated locally from the Kamehameha Schools and holds a BS from the University of Washington and an MBA in marketing from the University of Puget Sound.
Wayne has served as the HiSBDC Center Director for Maui since 2015 and was named the Small Business Advocate of the Year at the 2020 SBA Small Business Awards. He is on several cultural and non-profit boards including: The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund.