About Us

Maureen Collins-Williams
Director
UNI Regional Business Center
UNI Business Development and Incubation

I have an excuse.

I come from a large, Irish Catholic family of six women. My father, a small business owner in Iowa City for more than 20 years, really wanted a son but finally gave in to fate when his sixth daughter was born. Of all the girls, I think I was the most interested in business. My childhood was spent trying to get my father to hire me- it never worked- he ran a men’s shoe store and it was unthinkable for a young woman to sell the expensive shoes he sold. Huh? The injustice of it all stoked my indignant teenage heart.

I created a career for myself at 18 by freelancing for a Midwestern antiques journal and buying, restoring and re-selling antiques. By 22 I had started a retail store (on a dare, while angry with a boyfriend), but it marked ten years of business operations that would change my life. It was a marvelous time!

In between hauling oak, walnut and cherry furniture around eastern Iowa, I pursued a degree from Iowa, then UNI. I was on the 10 year plan- you’ve probably never heard of it because I made it up. I secured a B.A. in Public Administration from UNI, then added a slew of certifications during the 90’s that probably don’t add up to much today. I married, had three children and made many lifelong friends during that period.

In 1997, I surprised myself by accepting a ‘real’ job at UNI working with the Small Business Development Center. Some 12 years later, I select the box that says ‘administrator’ when filling out forms.

Business and Community Services division at UNI is more entrepreneurial than you might think. In fact, we call ourselves ‘intrapreneurs’ reflecting the rare environment here where we are encouraged to innovate, create and do good work. It’s why I haven’t run away yet.

Amy Kuhlers
Program Manager
MyEntre.Net

I am passionate about small business and darn lucky to be able to work with them on a daily basis! I love the courage entrepreneurs demonstrate, the visions they share and grow, and the quiet way the majority of them go about their day-to-day existence not realizing the huge impact they make on society and our economy. An added plus to my day is the opportunity to meet and work collaboratively with fellow service providers across the state to help foster small business growth. Many times small business owners do not realize the resources they have in these people who are located in their own back yards!

I am one of the only MyEntre.Net team members who is NOT a UNI alum. I have a BA in Entrepreneurship from Buena Vista University – go Beavers! (Hummmm….panthers eat beavers, don’t they?)

I’m the youngest of seven children, raised in a very small north central Iowa town by a serial entrepreneur and his admirably patient wife. I have two sons that I’m crazy proud of - Kody is currently serving in the Navy based in Yokosuka, Japan, and Kasey is in college pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

In my spare time (what’s that??), I like to be outdoors – but only in warm weather. I’m not a cold-loving person. I also enjoy reading, my animals, (I share my thoughts with Abby the beagle, JoJo a German shepherd/Lab mix and Felix the cat. They are all pretty good at keeping secrets, but really tank at offering sound advice), biking on the Cedar Valley trail system, eating great foods, and beer. Not necessarily in that order.

In a nutshell, (did I mention I’m allergic to nuts?), I love coming to work in the morning and am continually inspired by the team I get to work with every day, and the business owners I get to help….(I’m also usually really ready to head home!).

Dan Beenken
Program Manager

I was originally part of the brain-drain phenomenon of young people moving out of Iowa to stake their claims in other places. I lasted about 8 years in Minneapolis before the roots of home yanked me back to Iowa. I truly forgot how much I miss this place and the great people who call it home.

As you can see, I manage all things innovative or something like that at the University of Northern Iowa. As such, I am responsible for the new Innovation Incubator on the UNI campus. In addition, I consult with entrepreneurs and small businesses with helping them grow their businesses and reduce their risks.

Like my Buena Vista colleague, I am also a non-UNI grad. I started off with a BS from Iowa State – GO CYCLONES – and also have an MBA from the University of Minnesota – to a lesser degree- Go Gophers.

That‘s my story, at least the Cliff Notes version. Thanks for stopping by the booth and good luck growing your business!

Courtney Schwitzer
Program Associate, Special Projects
Iowa Women's Entrerprise Center

I received my BA from the University of Northern Iowa with an emphasis in Graphic Communications in December 2008.

I started work with the UNI Regional Business Center as a receptionist and three different titles later I’m now the Grant Coordinator for the Iowa Women’s Enterprise Center at the UNI Regional Business Center. I’m excited to continue work with the UNI Regional Business Center/MyEntre.Net team.

I’m a quiet minded, organized individual with a focus on details.

Having grown up on a farm in Tipton, Iowa, I’m a country girl through and through - I actually think bailing hay and doing farm chores is fun!

I tend to be a reality TV junkie; I enjoy going on bike rides and a good book…of course not at the same time!

Rob Williams
BCS Special Projects Coordinator
MyEntre.Net

I am known around the office as the good looking young buck. I frequently run from one office to the other, mainly because I am a pretty hot commodity. I started working with the Regional Business Center around 2006 when I was an undergrad at the greatest university in Iowa, and ended up sticking around post-graduation.

I enjoy long walks on the beach, cold PBR, and coffee. My diet consists primarily of canned soup and ramen noodles, even though I could afford better. I like to keep things simple.

To that end here is my bio: 23 yrs old, Graduated from UNI in December of 2008, live in Cedar Falls, work for the UNI Regional Business Center.