Our Staff

Kelly Massey

• Bachelor’s (Business Administration, Management); MBA
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR); Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP); Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP); Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)
• HR, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Capital

Kelly joined the Florida SBDC at UWF in 2014. As Regional Director, he oversees the operations of SBDC offices located in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City — serving ten counties in the Florida panhandle. He was previously the center director for Arkansas’ Henderson State University SBDC. In 2012, Kelly was awarded the National Small Business Administration Counselor of the Year for SBDCs at National Small Business Week in Washington, DC. He’s also a Certified Business Advisor (CBA).

Kelly’s prior 12 years of experience were in human resources management working for large manufacturing companies such as Georgia-Pacific, International Paper Company, and Stant Manufacturing, Inc.

John Emsing

• Bachelor’s; MBA (Data Analytics)
• Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP); Candidate for Certified Valuations Analyst (CVA)
• Marketing, Start-ups, Exit Planning, Business Valuations

John is an alumnus of the UWF Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business. After graduation, he went to work for a start-up microbrewery in his nearby hometown, Niceville. He spent three years there, where he became general manager and oversaw everything from marketing strategy to day-to-day operations. The business soon expanded and was named the 17th fastest-growing brewery in the United States for 2018.

Since starting as a consultant with the SBDC in 2019, John has worked with hundreds of local clients trying to start or grow their business. This work has led to dozens of new businesses in our region, and assisted clients with obtaining millions in capital. John has become an award-winning SBDC consultant.

John became Assistant Director in 2022 and Associate Director in 2024. The thing he most enjoys about working at the SBDC is helping clients reach new levels of success.

Chip Wells

• BSBA; MBA (Project Management)
• Procurement, Manufacturing, Banking
• Certified Coffee- and Scotch-Drinker

Chip joined the team in 2023. He works with area businesses and entrepreneurs, performs client training and outreach, as well as conducts a variety of business consulting activities and efforts including government contracting consulting for the Florida APEX Accelerator at UWF as an Associate Director.

Chip’s prior experience is in procurement and program management for the aerospace manufacturing industry. He also has deep knowledge and experience in business development for the banking industry.

Chip additionally serves on local community business boards, and he takes great pleasure in supporting small business owners as well as the entrepreneurial spirit and advancement for our region.

Christa Tiffany-Wilson

• BA; MBA
• Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP)
• Certificate in Instructional Design
• Business Owner, Government Contracting
• Beach-Lover, Dog-Whisperer, Almost Empty-Nester, Travel-Wisher

Christa is originally from Pittsburgh but has lived in Florida most of her life. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, she relocated to South Florida, where she worked in sales and management for companies like AT&T, @Road, and PageNet. While in the Ft. Lauderdale area, she earned her MBA and taught English classes at a small junior college.

Moving back to Pittsburgh and then on to Pensacola, Christa’s entrepreneurial spirit was inspired and she opened several cell phone stores, a business that eventually had presence in three states and finally, she sold. In addition to her experience in retail businesses, Christa is celebrating over a decade with her family’s successful landscaping business.

Christa has been a business consultant and is now an Associate Director at the SBDC. She enjoys sharing her experience and knowledge to help other growing businesses in the Florida panhandle.

Joshua Hartigan

• BS (Economics & International Affairs); MBA
• Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP); Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)
• Business Valuations, Exit Planning, Operations, Finances

Josh has served on multiple executive teams, specializing in operations and revenue cycle management across multiple industries including healthcare, eCommerce, bars and restaurants, along with being a serial entrepreneur himself.

At the SBDC, he supports clients in growing their businesses by helping them analyze and understand the opportunities in their market as well as identify areas for increased success. He’s excited to be part of the SBDC team, supporting local businesses in realizing their potential and impacting the greater Gulf Coast community.

He holds a BS with dual majors in Economics and International Affairs from FSU and an MBA from right here at UWF — go, Business ARGOS!

Josh is a proud husband and father to wife, Leah, and two wonderful daughters.

Dr. Len Eichler

• Master’s & Doctoral Degrees (Higher Education Administration, Entrepreneurship)
• Profit Mastery, Business Plans, Financial Projections, Pitch Decks

Dr. Eichler is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse background in business and military service. As the founder of TechFarms Capital in 2014, he has excelled in the fields of construction, agriculture, and wholesale marketing. With a strong military background in the Army, he brings discipline and commitment to his endeavors.

Dr. Eichler is a recognized expert in cash flow management and strategic planning. Over the course of 20 years, he’s provided priceless assistance to numerous business owners, guiding them to their financial goals and through effective strategies for success. Dr. Eichler’s multifaceted expertise and unwavering dedication make him an valuable asset to the business community. His military experience, coupled with his entrepreneurial achievements, has shaped his proven approach to cash flow management and strategic planning. He continues to make a significant impact on our Northwest Florida business communities.

Kevin Oster

• Associate Degree (Science Engineering, Accounting Minor)
• Veteran Affairs Specialist (VOSB, SDVOSB), Google Analytics, Commercial Driving, Hazmat Trainer, Former Business Owner
• Candidate for Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP)

Kevin retired from UPS after 35 years of service. He went on to become a Kampgrounds of America (KOA) owner from 2015 to 2020.

At UPS, he achieved the Circle of Honor safe driver designation with no accidents in just under 1 million miles. He’s also been a Hazmat trainer, driver mentor, conflict resolution leader, and safety team captain. For two years of his time at UPS, he served in management part-time while attending college — receiving national recognition for his job performance.

Kevin also received both Founders and Presidents awards while at KOA. Additionally, he’s owned a C corporation and served as President of the KOA Owners Association Area 5.

Kevin has also worked in manufacturing environments with a Fortune 500 company. Fun fact, he also designed and built a car wash which he sold while in college.

Colton Currier

• BSBA (Marketing); MBA (Business Analytics)
• Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP)
• Business Owner

Prior to joining the SBDC, Colton served as a marketing operations manager at the University of West Florida, where he managed branding and advertising campaigns, photography and video shoots, as well as publicity and internal communications initiatives for the University.

Colton is excited to be a part of the SBDC team helping local businesses to thrive and achieve their goals through strategic guidance and support. He has experience as a small business owner himself — having run a portrait photography LLC in the Pensacola, FL area.

Colton holds a BS in Business Administration, Comprehensive Marketing from here at UWF, and achieved an MBA in Business Analytics from UWF recently. Outside the office, Colton enjoys spending time camping and traveling with his wife and son, and their two dogs.

Zach Gilmore

• BS (Finance); BS (Real Estate)
• Master Economic Development Professional (MEDP); Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP)
• Project Management, Capital, Financial Management & Analysis

Zach previously served as VP of Business Development for the Jackson County Economic Development Committee, supporting business retention, expansion, and attraction. He’s also been involved in many professional organizations and community service efforts.

Moreover, Zach has had a successful career in the retail automotive and finance industries, from areas of marketing to operations. He’s a 2011 graduate of Chipola College and was a dual-major at Florida State University, where he graduated with a B.S. in finance and a B.S. in Real Estate with a minor in Hospitality in 2015.

Zach enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and other family. He also loves to hunt and fish, and he plays basketball twice a week with local professionals from around the community. Most important of all, Zach shares, he’s a very dedicated Christian.

Dax Hale

• BA (Accounting); MBA
• Investment Advisor (Series 7 & 65); Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP)

Dax has an impressive 18-year career in the investment industry and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland. He’s crafted tailored strategies for clients’ financial goals. Formerly owning an advisory firm, he honed skills in investments and insurance before moving abroad.

Now at SBDC, Dax leverages his diverse experiences and the unique perspectives he gained as part of a military family to provide personalized and comprehensive financial advice to small businesses. His expertise is crucial in guiding them through the intricacies of financial planning and helping them secure long-term success.

A devoted family man, Dax relishes his roles as husband and father to two sons. The family’s move to Florida came after his wife retired from the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, and following a significant stint at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Jennifer Rohus

• BS (Education); MBA (Business Administration)
• Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
• HR Strategy, Business Planning, Capital

Jennifer was born in the Netherlands while her family was stationed there, but she grew up in the Southwest United States. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and later moved to Louisiana where she worked in operations management for Target and Whole Foods Market.

During her tenure, she gained extensive operational skills and developed a strong passion for learning, talent development, and process improvement. Jennifer also obtained a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport while serving in the United States Air Force Reserve.

In fall 2021, Jennifer moved to Florida and continued to work for Whole Foods before discovering SBDC. She’s thrilled to bring over 20 years of business management experience to our region’s small business clients.

Lori Brock

• BS (Healthcare Administration); MBA

• Operations, Business Management, Customer Service, Community Engagement

Lori is a seasoned healthcare administrator with nearly 30 years of experience in practice management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Auburn University and an MBA from the University of West Florida. Throughout her career, Lori has demonstrated a strong commitment to optimizing business operations and delivering exceptional service. At the SBDC, she utilizes her extensive background to help businesses thrive.

Beyond her professional expertise, Lori is deeply involved in the Pensacola community and contributes to local initiatives through her work with Fiesta Pensacola. Her passion for helping small businesses and community service drives her to continuously seek ways to improve the lives of those she serves.

Adam Schweigert

• BA (Psychology)
• Business Owner – Licensed Roofing Contractor (RRC) & Retail Installment Seller (RIS)

Adam Schweigert is an experienced business professional with a diverse background spanning multiple industries, including finance, healthcare, legal consulting, and construction. With a strong foundation in leadership, strategy, and client relations, Adam has excelled in roles that require a deep understanding of business operations, team management, and client service.

In addition to being a consultant at the SBDC, Adam is a small business owner and has a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape and the complexities of building and maintaining a successful business.

Adam and his wife, Alisa, are both UWF grads and enjoy their time in Pensacola raising their two children.

John Carey

• BA; Master of Education (MEd)
• Candidate for Master’s in Strategic Communication & Leadership
• Marketing, Training

John has extensive experience in curriculum development and training for a variety of learners. At the Florida SBDC at UWF, John is responsible for the development, overall direction, and oversight of region-wide outreach, education, and training programming as well as spearheading marketing efforts.

His background is in education, with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Professional Education. He has an understanding of adult learning and training theories as well as knows how to create engaging presentations with informative content and market training to reach target groups.

He’s also expected to earn his Master’s in Strategic Communication & Leadership in the spring of 2027.

John and his wife, Carrie, have two adorable dogs.

Jamie Hardy

• Office Administration
• Former Florida SBDC Network State Office Administration and Advisory Board Member
• Center Operations, Customer Service, Marketing
• Beach-Lover & Softball Mom

Jamie is the crucial and effective office administrator for our Florida SBDC at UWF. Prior to joining the Florida SBDC at UWF in August of 2017, Jamie served as the Office Administrator for the Florida SBDC Network state office in downtown Pensacola for 10 years, where she assisted the marketing department and all administrative duties for the headquarters, plus the state network as a whole when needed.

During this time, she also served as the Executive Board Assistant to the Florida SBDC Network Advisory Board for four years before transferring to the Florida SBDC at UWF Regional Office.

Jamie is married and has three girls. She’s also got great tips for navigating the local area!

Samariah Brixey

• • BSBA (Minors in Finance & Management); Candidate for MBA (Human Resource Management)
  • Co-Founder & President of Business
  • Financial Management, Marketing

Samariah is a Graduate Assistant for the Florida SBDC at the University of West Florida. She holds a BS in Business Administration with minors in Finance and Management and is pursuing an MBA with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from UWF. She was also inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) in 2024.

Samariah has gained experience working with corporations and independently-owned businesses. She is an entrepreneur at heart. Using her professional culinary experience, she aspires to open a soup and sandwich shop upon retirement. She operates a truck and trailer maintenance business presently as well. Her hobbies include horticulture, cooking, bird watching, and working on her turbocharged 1993 Acura Integra.