The History of West Business Development Center
Intro copy
From Past to Present
Post-pandemic World
As the world moves into a post-pandemic reality, the needs of businesses have shifted and will continue to evolve as the ripple effect of the pandemic is felt. The West Center team stands ready to meet the challenges as they arise and to collaborate on being a building block in a vibrant rural economic region.
Remote, Not Out of Touch
As the third CEO for this now well established northern rural region institution, Mary Anne Petrillo took a fresh look at the future path of West Center. Her years of experience in the Silicon Valley tech world enabled her to re-envision how West Center could expand its mission to serve more in the community. West Company became West Business Development Center and, building on its history, it now prepares entrepreneurs to adapt to rapid technology shifts, a mobile workforce, and the growth of customization.
Moving On Up
By 1999 when CEO Pamela Patterson assumed the role, big economic changes had landed hard on Mendocino County. Pamela’s goal was to make sure that West Company would be able to deliver business counseling services to the entire community in need, including women-owned businesses. She created a solid platform to up-level training programs, and secured West Company as the host for a Small Business Development Center in addition to the Women’s Business Center, with services at no cost to county residents.
The Spark
n 1988, the James Irvine Foundation launched an Economic Development Initiative. Their focus was to create self-sufficiency through business ownership. Hearing about the initiative, the Ukiah Community Center convened meetings with more than two hundred people from Mendocino County. Their response was to create West Company. They successfully applied for and received a four-year grant, and Sheilah Rogers became the first Director of West Enterprise Center DBA WEST Company.
