The Staff of the Illinois Small Business Center at Illinois State University

Director, Elizabeth Binning

Ms. Binning received her undergraduate and master’s degree from Illinois State University. During the eight years she worked at Bradley University, Ms. Binning worked with a number of business outreach centers including the Center for Executive and Professional Development, Center for Testing, Leadership Development Center, Turner Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as the Illinois Small Business Development Center.

In September 2006, the Pantagraph named Ms. Binning one of the "20 under 40" most influential community leaders in McLean County. In 2007 she was nominated for both the YWCA Women of Distinction and McLean County Chamber of Commerce Athena Award.

Ms. Binning received Certification as a Business Specialist from the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network in 2007 and Certification as an Incubator Manager from the National Business Incubator Association in 2008.

In 2009, Ms. Binning became Chair of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Small Business Growth Association, a state-wide association of business assistance centers. 

She has served as a Board Member of the Economic Development Council of Bloomington-Normal since 2005 and developed the Circles of Seven business mentor program in conjunction with the EDC. She also served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA from 2008 to 2010 and was a Strong Kids Campaign Team Captain in 2010. Ms. Binning served as Day Chair for the "Doing Business in McLean County" day in Leadership McLean County from 2006 to 2010 and spoke at the Multicultural Leadership Program in January 2010. She frequently speaks at community events including the Bloomington Rotary, the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce, Young Men's Club, and the Illinois Treasurer's Smart Women Smart Money events.

Business Assistant, Mike Hoffman

Mike Hoffman received his Bachelor of Science degree in University Studies with a specialization in Psychology from Illinois State University in December 2010. He is currently working towards earning a Master of Science degree in industrial/organizational Psychology. From 2007 t 2011, he worked as a personnel coordinator for Jewel-Osco where his responsibilities included assistance in the process of hiring employees, conducting annual reviews, disciplining employees, and maintaining employee, timekeeping and payroll records. His current research interests include person=environment fit, social determinants of the emerging workforce, and the mediating role of empowerment on the effects over-qualification.