OCIE SBDC Appoints New Leadership

The Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network (OCIE SBDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new center directors within the network. OCIE SBDC welcomes SBDC Caravan SBDC Director Bradley Chargualaf, SBDC Finance Center Director Sylvia Pizarroso, and LaunchPad SBDC Director John Wiet.

OCIE SBDC Network Director Mike Daniel speaks to the value and experience of these individuals: “Bradley Chargualaf, Sylvia Pizarroso, and John Wiet will add an amazing amount of depth and expertise to our network. All three of these new directors have already hit the ground running, and we are excited for them to help the OCIE SBDC Network continue to grow, expanding our reach and services.” 

Bradley Chargualaf has been appointed as director of Caravan SBDC. He has extensive experience in supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs through business training, micro-grant funding, and ensuring grant compliance. As the former director of programs for a nonprofit, Bradley has led multiple initiatives to provide technical assistance to underserved entrepreneurship communities in the Inland Empire, focusing on business startup expertise and technology solutions. Bradley’s leadership in program development and management has resulted in the successful implementation of numerous programs that empower local businesses, supporting more than 2000 entrepreneurs with millions in funding. Bradley’s strong relationships with stakeholders, community leaders, and business owners will grow the network and contribute to economic development of the region.

Sylvia Pizarroso has been appointed as director of the SBDC Finance Center. She has more than 30 years experience in finance, commercial, and business banking that she leverages to foster and empower small businesses for growth. Sylvia has been an active member of the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (OCHCC) since 2018, serving as chair of the board from May 2022 to April 2024. Previously, Pizarroso held leadership positions at J.P. Morgan Chase, where she developed her career and a passion for supporting business growth, finance, diversity, and inclusion. Her business acumen, coupled with her fluency in Spanish, will allow her to effectively connect with a broader range of clients and build strong relationships within the OCIE SBDC community.

John Wiet has been appointed as director of LaunchPad SBDC. John brings first-hand experience in startup and investor funding, having co-founded Pip Care to optimize the surgical journey for patients, care teams, and physicians. At LaunchPad SBDC, hosted by Octane, John will focus on driving innovation and growth by connecting people, resources, and capital. He will lead a team of medical technology entrepreneurs, investors, universities, and strategic advisors to support startups and small businesses to reach their full potential.

The OCIE SBDC is a leading business and economic development organization assisting aspiring entrepreneurs and current small business owners as they start and grow their businesses. Over the past three years, the OCIE SBDC has conducted more than 120,000 hours of one-on-one consulting, assisting more than 21,000 small businesses. These efforts have yielded the establishment of over 1,500 new businesses and the creation of 6,500 new jobs. Learn more at ociesmallbusiness.org.