Debra Malewicki is, as of July 1, the University of Wisconsin-Extension's interim director of Business and Manufacturing Extension. She will provide leadership for the 13 Small Business Development Centers, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network and other business-focused programs.

Debra Malewicki
Interim Director, Business and Manufacturing Extension
debra.malewicki@uwex.edu
(608) 263-7794
Photo credit Jim Gill

UW Colleges/UW-Extension Chancellor David Wilson named Malewicki to the position upon the retirement of Erica Kauten. Malewicki will serve in the position as Chancellor Wilson gathers information about UW-Extension's role in economic development and how the organization might best provide programs and services that boost Wisconsin's productivity and help create new jobs.

Experienced, skilled
Malewicki brings a thick portfolio of business experience and skills to the directorship. Most recently, as director of the Center for Innovation and Business Development at UW-Whitewater, she oversaw the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center and that campus' Small Business Development Center. She is internationally recognized as an expert on technical and market assessments of new products and technologies, and has a national reputation for developing innovative programs and attracting diverse funding sources. She earned her doctorate in marketing from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Seamless transition
Former director Erica Kauten says, "Before my departure Deb and I worked together to assure that Wisconsin businesses and entrepreneurs will continue to receive a high level of support and services during this time of transition. Deb has remarkable insight into the state and national business climate and will work with small businesses to leverage this to their advantage."

"I'm honored and excited to continue the leadership that Erica has brought to entrepreneurial business development in Wisconsin," Malewicki says. "Given that entrepreneurs are the net job generators, building the capacity of the Small Business Development Centers and the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network to provide seamless service to growth-oriented businesses is critical to effective economic development." —UW-Extension

For more information about Business and Manufacturing Extension: www.wisconsinsbdc.net/uwex-busmfg/.

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