Staff - ODU Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship

Meet OUR Team

Tameika Serrano

Program Director

The Mustard Seed Women’s Business Center

757-683-7150
tserrano@odu.edu

I am a dedicated leader with extensive experience in program management, community engagement, and empowering individuals to achieve their goals. In my current role as Program Director at the Mustard Seed Place Women’s Business Center I focus on driving initiatives that support women entrepreneurs in building and scaling successful businesses. I specialize in strategic planning, team leadership, and fostering partnerships that create meaningful impact within the community.

Throughout my career, I have excelled in leading diverse teams, exceeding program goals, and developing innovative solutions to meet organizational objectives. Passionate about helping others grow, I provide hands-on support to entrepreneurs and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver results. My approach is guided by a commitment to equity, innovation, and measurable success.

Erika Small-Sisco

Women’s Business Center

esmallsi@odu.edu

Patcha Hong

Counselor/Instructor

Veterans Business Outreach Center

757-683-5793
phong@odu.edu

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As a highly skilled GIS Analyst with over 10 years of experience in geospatial engineering, data analysis, and project management, I excel in leveraging precise spatial information to support strategic decision-making and drive impactful results. My expertise spans GIS content maintenance, database management, remote sensing, and application development, making me adept at delivering precise and actionable insights for diverse business needs.

Joshua Kovitch

Business Counselor / Client Services Administrator

Veterans Business Outreach Center

757-683-5793
jkovitch@odu.edu

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Josh Kovitch joined the Veterans Business Outreach Center in 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience in marketing, sales, real estate, residential construction, government contracting and nonprofit leadership. He enjoys providing guidance to members of the military community who are looking to start or grow a small business.

Darwin Byrd

Veterans Business Outreach Center

d1byrd@odu.edu

Donald Miller

Veterans Business Outreach Center

d1miller@odu.edu

Jerry Cronin

Executive Director

757-376-7828
jcronin@odu.edu

Deborah Gittens

Program Coordinator

Double Tap

757-683-5542
dgittens@odu.edu

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Deborah Gittens is a dynamic and accomplished professional with extensive experience across the corporate, private, and public sectors. She currently serves as Program Coordinator for the ODU/IIE Double-TAP Program in Norfolk, Virginia, supporting a diverse network of clients.

Deborah is also the founder and owner of VIRTUoL Designs, LLC, a creative services firm based in Virginia Beach, where she combines creativity and business acumen to deliver innovative design and consulting solutions. Through her work, she consistently enhances processes and drives operational excellence.

A proud member of Women In Defense (WID), Deborah has served as President for four years and as an Executive Board Member of the Hampton Roads Chamber Portsmouth Division. She is widely recognized for her strategic thinking, technical proficiency, and collaborative leadership, as well as her commitment to empowering others through education and entrepreneurship.

Lisa Parks

Director

Double TAP

757-383-9512
lparks@odu.edu

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As Director of Double-TAP at Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Lisa supports transitioning service members and veterans in launching and scaling successful businesses. Lisa specializes in government contracting counseling, business startup guidance, and advanced commercialization strategies, having spent more than a decade training and advising small businesses across federal, state, and local procurement environments. With deep expertise in proposal development, certification navigation, and strategic growth planning, Lisa empowers entrepreneurs to compete—and win—in competitive marketplaces. Lisa is passionate about service and innovation, and is committed to building strong pathways for veteran-owned businesses to thrive beyond military service.

Claude Barnett

Client Services Manager

Virginia Apex Accelerator

cbarnett@odu.edu

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Claude Barnett is a seasoned business owner with over 28 years of expertise spanning multiple industries, bringing a unique perspective as both an entrepreneur and a military spouse. As the founder of a multi-client advertising agency in Monterey County, Claude has built a reputation for crafting and executing customized, long-term marketing strategies that earn client trust and deliver tangible results. His impressive background also includes ownership of Gershwin’s, a renowned 100-seat fine dining restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing both back-of-house and front-of-house teams, while curating unforgettable dining experiences with top-tier entertainment.

Claude’s depth of experience in business start-up, operational management, and client-centered marketing strategy makes him a versatile leader with a proven track record of success across diverse ventures. His commitment to service excellence and strategic insight make him an invaluable asset to businesses at any stage.

Monique Mcwhite

Director of Grant Strategy and Partnerships

Research & Economic Development

757-683-4159
mmcwhite@odu.edu

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Monique P. McWhite currently serves as a Grant Writer and Founding Director of the Business Development Center (BDC) at Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE), where she supports initiatives that drive entrepreneurship, workforce development, and regional economic growth.

She has served as Vice President for the National Contract Management Association (NCMA Norfolk Chapter), Vice President and Committee Member for the Tidewater Association of Service Contractors (TASC), and an Elected Industry Representative with the Tidewater Government Industry Council (TGIC).

Monique began her ODU career in 2012 as Program Director for the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), counseling and assisting small businesses for over a decade in marketing, compliance, and government contracting. With more than 20 years of experience in government contracting and program management, she has held roles as a Web Master, Facility Security Officer, Project Administrator, and Program Analyst with organizations such as L-3 Unidyne, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and ESRG Government Services, now Caterpillar.

In addition to her work at ODU, Monique is the owner and artist behind Monique McWhite Art, a Virginia Beach–based fine art business specializing in oil paintings, commissions, and original coastal and aviation-themed works. Her art has been exhibited at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Anderson Gallery, Stockley Gardens and the Neptune Festival and online at www.moniquemcwhiteart.com

A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education and Painting & Printmaking and a minor in Art History, Monique was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she continues to live and create. She enjoys painting, swimming, surf fishing, and helping others achieve success through creativity and entrepreneurship.

Phil Moore

Fiscal Administrator Assistant

Research & Economic Development

757-683-7074
pcmoore@odu.edu

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Phil Moore serves as the Fiscal Administrative Assistant at Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. In this role, he manages procurement, coordinates events, supervises student workers, and ensures compliance across the Institute’s programs.

An ODU alum, Phil earned a B.S. in International Business with a focus on Japan and Asian Studies and pursued graduate studies in International Studies with an emphasis on U.S. foreign policy. With proficiency in Japanese and extensive travel experience in Japan, South Korea, and China, he brings a globally informed perspective to supporting the Institute’s mission of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Yvette Shannon, MBA, MS-HR, DBA (ABD)

Director of Business Operations

Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

757-683-3056
yshannon@odu.edu

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Yvette Shannon, DBA ABD, MS HRM, MBA, serves as the Director of Business Operations for Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. A seasoned higher education and business operations professional, she brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, financial administration, and strategic project management. Prior to her career in higher education, Yvette honorably served in the United States Coast Guard, developing a foundation in discipline, service, and leadership. She holds advanced degrees in human resource management and business administration and is completing her Doctor of Business Administration, focusing on organizational leadership and strategic change. Yvette is committed to advancing innovation, empowering emerging leaders, and enhancing institutional and community impact.

Paul B. Olsen P.E.

Executive Director

Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

polsen@odu.edu

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Colonel Paul B. Olsen (U.S. Army Retired) is the Executive Director for Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) where he enables research projects between the University and federal agencies including the Department of Defense and NASA, as well as regional organizations in the public and private sectors. Paul retired from the United States Army in 2015. His culminating assignment was command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, where he gained national recognition in Sea Level Rise Planning and Port Modernization. Since then, he has been a regional leader in Economic Development, Port Modernization, Aerospace, and Offshore Wind Initiatives. Olsen is a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and holds a Master of Science Degree in civil engineering from George Mason University, a Master of Arts Degree in business management from Webster University, and a Master of Arts in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. Notably, he was named the 2014 Champion of the Port for Hampton Roads, the 2015 Government Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the winner of the Pentagon’s prestigious 2004 Pace Award for Innovation. Since joining ODU, Paul has brought over $20 Million in research funding. Paul is pursuing his Doctorate in Public Administration and Policy at Old Dominion University.

Kevin Leslie

Associate VP – Innovation & Commercialization

Research & Economic Development

757-695-4341
kleslie@odu.edu

Leticia Demps

Executive Administrative Assistant

Business Development Center

ldemps@odu.edu

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Leticia Demps is a highly efficient, and detail-oriented professional with over a decade of diverse experience spanning administrative support, customer service, social advocacy, and the beauty industry. Leticia is known for her compassion, dedication, and interpersonal finesse. Leticia brings a unique blend of analytical thinking and creative energy to every role she undertakes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Elizabeth City State University and is a dual license in the beauty industry as a Licensed Esthetician and Natural Hair Specialist.

Leticia’s career journey reflects a deep commitment to service and empowerment. As a Telecommunicator/Dispatcher for 911 Emergency Communications, Leticia handled high-pressure situations with precision and empathy, ensuring timely responses and critical incidents. Previous roles include a family advocate at headstart where she supported families in achieving social and academic success and as a processing assistant and correctional officer for NC Department of Public Safety, managing complex administrative duties and working in the operational area of the institution. Leticia mentors clients in the beauty industry and hosts beauty events. She also runs her own beauty business.