Donna Little is the director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s in Business Administration, both from McNeese. A native of Egan, Louisiana, she has called Lake Charles home for over 30 years.
She has been part-owner of a small start-up business, working in the shop every day. She has also worked for several other small businesses, giving her a bird’s-eye view of the hard work and rewards involved in being an entrepreneur.
Donna has over 30 years experience in business, including working with advertising and marketing for a company with over 50 stores, and supervising departments. She has worked for large companies, including Calcasieu Marine National Bank, Entergy and US Unwired, providing a view from the other side of the fence.
She was hired as assistant director of the LSBDC in October of 2003. Following Hurricane Rita, under her leadership, the Center helped dozens of individuals apply for disaster loans. She operated from the Chamber Southwest office in downtown Lake Charles for four weeks until McNeese was able to reopen.
Donna serves her community as a volunteer on the Banners Arts & Humanities Series committee. She is a long-time member of the Ad & Press Club of Southwest Louisiana.
Donna believes that her 30-plus years of experience and contacts in southwest Louisiana are invaluable assets today as she works to assist small businesses.
Kyle Ardoin joined the LSBDC at McNeese in January of 2007. Mr. Ardoin is a native of Ville Platte, LA, and a 1999 graduate of Sacred Heart High School. He is a 2003 alumnus of McNeese State University with a double major in management and marketing. Kyle also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Kyle’s work experience includes having worked for McNeese State University Athletic Department as a student athletic trainer and serving as manager of the Memorial Gym Training Room. Kyle also gained extensive experience in the wholesale sector while working for one of the Imperial Calcasieu Top Fifty Companies, Solar Supply, Inc.
Kyle has also served as district executive for the Evangeline Area Council Boy Scouts of America. His tenure with the Boy Scouts was marked by unparalleled membership growth in his district where he led the southern region in growth for four months straight. Kyle served the nation’s largest privately owned funeral service provider as a consultant and a funeral director’s assistant.
An active member of the community, Kyle is involved in numerous civic and fraternal organizations including Knights of Columbus, the National Eagle Scout Association, and the Lake Charles Kiwanis Club. He is also a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.
