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С��è��ý’s small business leader named president of international organization NASBITE

Photos and story by James Hill

Tammy Marquez-Oldham’s days just got busier.

As director of С��è��ý’s Small Business Development Center and the (OSBDCN), Marquez-Oldham has always been a big champion of the (NASBITE). She credits the organization’s Certified Global Business Professionals certificate with elevating her professional expertise and knowledge in global trade.

“NASBITE changed my life,” said Marquez-Oldham, who will serve as president in 2016-17 with an option for a second year. “The certificate lifted me into a place of visibility within my community and my state. So, it is an honor to serve NASBITE’s members, who are actively engaged in advancing global trade education for students, business, professionals, and agency partners, as their president.”

Marquez-Oldham has 30 years of experience working for large, mid and small businesses, and has owned several companies as well. In addition to her volunteer involvement as president of NASBITE International, she serves on the advisory council for the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, the Port of Portland Mentor Protégé Program, Metro Export Initiative, Export Council of Oregon, and the Clackamas County Economic Development Commission.

In 2014, Marquez-Oldham and David Kohl, liaison for the OSBDCN Global Trade Center, led the development of the first NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional-accredited training program at the SBDC. This credential demonstrates knowledge and prepares local businesses to engage in global management, global marketing, supply chain management and trade finance. As part of her work with NASBITE, Marquez-Oldham recently met with dozens of officials in Washington, D.C., including Eileen Sanchez, associate administrator in the Office of International Trade; Thomas E. Lersten, director of the Global Entrepreneurship Program at the U.S. Department of State; and Lauren Oppenheimer, staff representing U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. This meeting was facilitated by SBA Regional Export Development Officer Danielle Wilsey.

“Professionals who serve small business in Oregon do so collaboratively,” said Marquez-Oldham. “Oregon has a reputation in the U.S. as being a collaborative state. Because of this collaborative spirit more clients are able to be served within rural and urban communities, leveraging finite resources across a high volume of need for business advising and education, domestic and international.”

Marquez-Oldham holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Warner Pacific College, and a master’s degree in Business from George Fox University.

The college’s Small Business Development Center is one of 19 in the state of Oregon, offering growth and development opportunities for small business owners throughout С��è��ý.