Hoosier Heartland Indiana SBDC

Lita Rouser
Business Advisor

Lita Rouser is the Business Advisor for Hoosier Heartland ISBDC and works to support small business development, growth, and sustainability. ISBDC provides counseling and assistance for existing and start-up businesses. It also provides training programs for the small business community and a referral network consisting of area professionals to assist businesses. Lita has 20 years’ experience in business leadership and has served on numerous boards of directors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from College of the Ozarks and a MBA in Management and Strategy from WGU - Indiana.

Ruth Johnston
Business Advisor

Ruth Johnston joined the Hoosier Heartland ISBDC in December 2008 as Office Administrator. She has several years of administrative and sales experience working at General Motors, Bluegreen Resorts, Inland Pacific and Big Sky Carvers at which time she held the following positions: sales and marketing associate, office manager, customer relations advisor and showroom manager. She is responsible for the daily operations of the Hoosier Heartland ISBDC office, coordinates events and provides administrative assistance to Jordan Jicha.

Linnette White
Small Business Programs Manager

Dr. Linnette C. White is the Small Business Programs Manager with the Hoosier Heartland, Indiana SBDC. In this position, Linnette leads the development and implementation of content and programming for our SBDC clients, focusing on providing valuable resources and support. This role involves strategic collaboration with local partners to enhance program offerings and ensure a comprehensive approach to small business development. The goal is to drive impactful initiatives that empower entrepreneurs and foster economic growth within the community.

Dr. White has over three years’ experience as a small business owner. The bulk of her resume lies in higher education with over 25 years of experience, 16 of those at Purdue University, West Lafayette. She serves as an Associate Faculty Member at Indiana University Northwest. Also, she served as a director and advisor in various capacities across Purdue University-WL campus. Roles included Assistant Director of Faculty and Staff Development in Agriculture, Director of Multicultural Programs in Pharmacy, and Lead Advisor with the IU School of Medicine.

I am currently certified as a Clifton Strengths Coach and have been for over five years. Serve as a Board Member for Willowstone Family Services in Lafayette, Indiana and on the Advisory Board for the Hammond Area Career Center. Leadership Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Indiana University. Also, a Journey Executive Fellow, Class of 2017. Formerly Eli Lilly’s Indianapolis based program now housed within the umbrella of the Indiana Youth Institute. As well, A LUMA Institute Certified Practitioner.

Hobbies: Sports enthusiast who enjoys traveling and writing poetry. I am happily married to husband Jermalle (Jay). I have four children and seven grandchildren. In my spare time, I enjoy working with youth-based programs with a focus on their wellbeing.

Education: Doctorate in Education: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, Ethical Leadership, Masters Degree: Indiana State University, Higher Education, Terre Haute, Indiana, and  Bachelor’s Degree: Indiana University, Organizational Communication and Minority Studies.

Michael Johnson
Business Advisor

Michael Johnson is a Business Advisor with the Hoosier Heartland Indiana Small Business Development Center. Michael earned his B.S. in Economics from Purdue University. Before joining the Indiana SBDC, he built his career in operations leadership across healthcare and food service. As Practice Manager for a pediatric clinic, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of a growing medical practice. He later joined Insomnia Cookies, where he held several leadership positions supporting new store openings, operational improvements, employee development, and multi-unit leadership across the country. Michael is excited to begin working with entrepreneurs throughout Indiana and looks forward to helping small business owners navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and achieve their goals.