Join us in welcoming Denise Durenberger as Executive Director for the Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE). Denise is an assistant professor of business at Bluffton University and resides in Arlington.

While her teaching responsibilities started with the fall semester, Denise graciously agreed to begin her mentoring relationships at the BCE this past June.

Denise succeeds interim advisor Pete Suter who, with Business Studies department chair George Lehman, helped create the partnership that provides BCE clients with mentoring services and coordinates projects with business majors. She notes, "I'm pleased by the interaction I've had so far with our BCE clients and our Bluffton University students. Both clients and students are optimistic and interested in working together to find meaningful ways to grow."

In the past year, Bluffton University students assisted J. Bankert Bookkeeping with logo design and KTL Fabrication with marketing development. New projects are planned for Drive Time Driving and Peak 24 HR Fitness, which will focus on market research and social media development.

Denise brings both industry and academic experience to her new position. She has served as marketing instructor at Terra Community College, marketing coordinator at Hercules Tire, advertising manager at Cooper Tire, assistant director of professional experience at the University of Findlay, and marketing director at J.J. Gumberg Company (Findlay Village Mall). She holds a B.S. in journalism, public relations and marketing from Bowling Green State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Findlay.