Our Leadership

Duane Fladland
Duane moved to Spokane from Santa Fe, New Mexico where he was the Associate State Director of the NM Small Business Development Center for more than seven years. He has more than 20 years experience with the Small Business Development Center program, serving in various administrative, consultant and management capacities. In addition he has more than 10 years experience as an entrepreneur in agriculture. He is currently a member of the National Association of SBDCs Accreditation Committee, and was a Malcolm Baldrige examiner for Quality New Mexico. He is certified by the National Development Council as an Economic Development Finance Professional and recently completed training by the Palladium Group on the Balanced Scorecard. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Sioux Falls College in South Dakota.

Sheryl McGrath
Before joining the Washington SBDC, Sheryl was president of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation. Previously, she served as an administrator and senior legislative aide for the City of Spokane and has held several top leadership positions for nonprofit organizations including President & CEO of the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce. Sheryl also owned and operated her own full service restaurant in Spokane for five years.
She holds a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Eastern Washington University and actively participates on multiple Boards and committees state-wide.