Norman D. Roussell, MBA
Start Smart's team of consultants is led by the company's founder Norman David Roussell. Roussell holds a BBA in Finance from Howard University and a MBA from Loyola University at New Orleans. Roussell is also a Certified Adult Financial Literacy Trainer, a Certified Business Credit Consultant (CBCC) and a Certified Business Finance Consultant (CBFC).
Adonis C. Exposé, MPA, CBCC
Adonis C. Exposé has a B.S. in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration, both from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Mr. Exposé is the former Director of Communications for the Housing Authority of New Orleans and a Senior Business Consultant for the Louisiana Minority Business Enterprise Center. Mr. Exposé’s has over ten years of management experience in communications and project management, and over six years of experience as a consultant serving minority business enterprises and emerging growth firms. In addition to his education and experience, Mr. Exposé is also a Certified Business Credit Consultant.
Don C. Lawhorn, B.A., CBCC
Don C. Lawhorn holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and he is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Lawhorn has over fifteen years experience as a commercial banker, having been a vice-president for several local (New Orleans) banks. As a former Senior Business Consultant for the Houston Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC) and the Louisiana MBEC, Mr. Lawhorn has over five years experience as a supplier diversity consultant. In addition to his education and experience, Mr. Lawhorn is also a Certified Business Credit Consultant.
Melvin N. Cade, Attorney
Melvin N. Cade is a graduate of the Southern University A & M College Law School with over fifteen years as a practicing attorney in Louisiana. Mr. Cade is the Managing Partner of the Cade Law Firm of New Orleans, a firm that specializes in civil and corporate litigation.
Winston Williams, MBA
Winston Williams holds a BBA in Accounting from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and a MBA from the Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business. Mr. Williams has over 20 years of business experience including as an Auditor for Ernst & Young LLP, Senior Supply Chain Analyst for Entergy New Orleans, Assistant Vice-President for Credit Analysis for Whitney National Bank, and Adjunct Professor for Phoenix University’s graduate business program. Mr. Williams is also an experienced seminar instructor, having conducted over 250 seminars and trained over 3,000 participants since 2004.
Clarence Odom, PMP
Clarence Odom is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over twenty-five years experience in construction project management for the McDonald's Corporation, Cushman & Wakefield, Entergy, and Tulane University.
Dionne T. Peters, A.A., CBCC
Dionne T. Peters is a graduate of Delgado Community College where she received an Associate’s degree in Commercial Art. In addition to her creative contributions to the Start Smart publishing team, Ms. Peters also has over fifteen years experience in corporate banking and she is a Certified Business Credit Consultant.
Debbie A. Weary, CBCC
Debbie A. Weary is an entrepreneur and the former owner of Debonair Clothier, LLC (destroyed by hurricane Katrina). Ms. Weary began her work with Start Smart, LLC, as a client, but because of her exceptional interpersonal skills and years as a business owner, she was hired as the Program Manager for Contractor’s College.
Michael Glapion, ARM, CWCA
Michael Glapion is a thirty-five year veteran of the insurance industry. He has held positions as a commercial property and casualty insurance underwriter; risk manager for three Fortune 250 Corporations and the largest Grain Cooperative in the USA; and has spent the past 18 years as an insurance and risk management consultant, agent and broker. He holds the Associate in Risk Management and Certified Workers' Compensation Advisor professional designations, and holds resident and non-resident insurance agent licenses in Louisiana and Minnesota.
Tiya Scroggins, MBA
Tiya Scroggins is the owner of Scroggins Consulting, LLC. Ms. Scroggins works with Start Smart as a business certification specialist for Contractor's College.
