East Central Indiana SBDC

Clint Albert
Business Advisor

Clint is a business advisor for the East Central Indiana SBDC. In this position, he is responsible for meeting with clients and helping them to overcome any obstacles they face throughout their entrepreneurial journeys. Clint was an Insurance Agent at AAA and Process Specialist for new All State agency owners for the past 10years. He received a degree in physical education from Urbana University. Clint served as an Assistant Baseball Coach at Carson Newman College, University of Dayton, Xavier University and Ball State University. Clint enjoys spending time with family and playing golf.

Claudia Metzger
Small Business Program Specialist

Claudia is the Small Business Program Manager for the East Central Indiana SBDC. In this position, Claudia is in charge of programs for small businesses in the East Central region. Claudia recently graduated Cum Laude from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communication Studies and Sociology. In July, she will graduate with a master’s degree in Information and Communication Sciences, also from Ball State University. Claudia has lived in East Central Indiana nearly all her life. Claudia loves to spend time with family and friends and her 16-year-old dog, Mardi!

Sherri Maslanik
Office Administrator

As the office administrator, Sherri will ensure smooth daily operations, support the staff, and assist area small business owners with resources and services.

Sherri operated a small photography business while also playing an integral management and bookkeeping role in her family’s electrical contracting business, which they successfully owned and operated for more than two and a half decades.

Throughout most of her adult life, she has been raising and homeschooling her five children, instilling in them a strong work ethic and a passion for lifelong learning.

“I have a love for all things entrepreneurial, and so I am looking forward to working in this environment,” Sherri noted.

She is excited to be part of individuals and companies growing and contributing to the economic development of East Central Indiana. Outside of work, Sherri enjoys spending time with her family, playing racquetball and pickleball, and nurturing her love for plants – yet another way she enjoys watching things “grow.”

Zina Bartle
Ecosystem Navigator

The East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) welcomes Zina Bartle as the new Ecosystem Navigator. In this role, Zina will serve as a key connector for entrepreneurs, helping them navigate small business resources. By assessing their unique needs, bridging gaps in available services, and linking them with funding options and mentorship opportunities, she will support small business growth across the region. “Zina’s passion for entrepreneurship fits perfectly with the Ecosystem Navigator role,” noted Judy Porter, Regional Director for the East Central Indiana SBDC. “Her empathetic approach will lead to a deep commitment to each client’s success.” A Delaware County native, Zina recently returned to Yorktown after spending several years in Texas. Throughout her decades-long career, Zina has held corporate sales and marketing roles across industries including high-tech, manufacturing, construction, business-to-business, and retail. She has also worked as a business consultant, helping clients of all sizes and stages develop sales and marketing strategies, implement process improvements, and turn businesses around. Zina holds a degree from Purdue University and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, bringing a strong foundation of problem-solving and efficiency to the Ecosystem Navigator role. Early in her career, she helped grow a Muncie-based startup ad agency into one of Indianapolis’ top 25 firms. Her ability to blend innovative thinking with practical business solutions has been a driving force in her success. She attributes much of her professional growth to her belief in empowering others— helping colleagues and clients become the heroes of their own stories. “It truly can be ‘lonely at the top’ when you’re a business founder,” she shared. “I am excited about the prospect of helping entrepreneurs realize (and capitalize on) the fact that so much support is available to them. Going out on your own doesn’t have to mean doing it all alone.” A significant influence in Zina’s life has been her father, Marvin Bartle, whom she considers her greatest mentor, coach, and cheerleader. He instilled in her the values of respect, integrity, hard work, and service to others. These principles continue to guide her career and approach to leadership. Outside of work, Zina enjoys adventure travel, spending time with her dog Tika, and reconnecting with her community. Connect with Zina by sending an email to ZiBartle@isbdc.org.