Team

Director, SLV SBDC

Jason C. Medina, Director SLV SBDC

Jason is a 4th Generation San Luis Valley native.  He grew up in a small business himself, a family-owned grocery store in San Luis, oldest town in Colorado.  After graduating from Centennial High School in San Luis, he attended Adams State University, where he received a B.A. in Psychology.  Jason has a diverse background and work experience, including seven years in public education, six years in local government, and over 10 years in public housing.  He is also a budding entrepreneur himself, and owns a small business in San Luis.  Jason is passionate about seeing current small businesses flourish in the Valley, and providing opportunities for new start-ups. “My goal is to promote economic development in our communities, while maintaining their cultural identities.”

Rural Opportunity Representative

Thomas Monaco

Tom joined the San Luis valley SBDC in June of 2018 as its Director after serving as the production manager and an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico. Prior to this Tom was a custom furniture maker, artisan and fabricator with his own company in central Florida that catered to specialty design and fabrication solutions for the interior design and architecture industries. In addition to his work in education and the arts, Tom also has worked as a consultant to universities and economic development organizations in the areas of strategic facilities planning and maker-space & small business incubation.

Tom is excited to join the SBDC and the other San Luis Valley economic and community organizations in assisting small businesses and the communities they serve with the goal of supporting and promoting the wonderful opportunities, talent and unique advantages present here in the San Luis Valley.

Business Consultant

Kimberly Bryant

As a Business Coach and SBDC Consultant, Kimberly Bryant has helped many people start and grow their businesses in Colorado and around the country. Her experience includes guiding professionals and sales people to wisely establish their businesses, identify their target markets and succeed through creative marketing. With a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Kimberly has held positions as Insurance Auditor, Business Analyst, Business and Life Coach, Volunteer Fire Chief and grants coordinator. She enjoys sharing and applying business principles and tools to governmental and non-profit projects. “Looking at things from a different perspective can help you see what your next steps are.”

Business Consultant

Esteban Salazar

Esteban Salazar is a lifelong San Luis Valley resident and a local small business manager. He has worked for the SLV Small Business Development Center since 2011 and specializes in assisting new business owners & prospective business owners with the basics of starting a new business. He is well experienced with assisting business owners acquire new technology skills for the rapidly changing and computer driven business world.

Esteban graduated from Adams State University in 2009. He owns a computer repair and computer instruction service titled Computers, Consultations & Instruction LLC. Mr. Salazar has authored a number of business plans for startups and business owners who have required capital injection in the form of a loan. Esteban was intimately involved in the 2011 Alamosa County special election & education campaign that informed voters of the need for a new Alamosa City Hall & Public Library. He is a sitting board member of the San Luis Valley Food Hub advisory board & a long time member of the SLV Local Food Coalition.

Mr. Salazar has deep roots in the greater San Luis Valley community and is very knowledgeable when it comes to the diverse communities and shared resources that make up the SLV area. He lives in Alamosa but has lived or worked in all of the 6 counties of the San Luis Valley.