Clark University has announced the appointment of Robert P. Spellane as the Interim Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clark University. In this role, he will lead the center’s initiatives to guide and support aspiring and existing small business owners while contributing to the region’s broader business ecosystem.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with a talented team of advisors across Central Massachusetts and am energized by our entrepreneurs and their dreams,” Spellane said.
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network comprises six regional offices located strategically throughout Massachusetts. SBDC business advisors foster the start, growth, and sustainability of small businesses by providing high-quality, in-depth advising, training, and capital access and connecting clients to the community, including chambers of commerce, community development corporations, and economic development organizations.
With his exceptional background in public service and mission-driven organizations and extensive involvement with the community, Spellane brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the SBDC. A respected and accomplished professional with a deep understanding of public policy and governance, Spellane served as State Representative for the 13th Worcester District of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2001 to 2011, followed by 12 years as vice president of strategic resources and initiatives at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.
Since 2019, Spellane has served as the executive director of the Master of Public Administration for Senior Leadership Program, where he is also a professor of practice. His insights and connections to the Clark University community will help foster collaborations and initiatives that benefit the SBDC’s clients and contribute to the broader economic growth in the region.
“We are ecstatic to have Bob take on this interim role with the SBDC,” said Alan Ritacco, associate vice president for external relations at Clark University. “His extensive experience in public service and entrepreneurship, and his deep connection to the community and Clark, make him the perfect fit. We look forward to the positive impact Bob will have on the SBDC community at large.”
Spellane earned a Master of Public Administration from the McCormack Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and a bachelor’s in political science from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia.
