Griffin named interim director of Cumberland Business Incubator

CBJ Admin
Monday, Jun 4, 2012

CROSSVILLE - Entrepreneur and longtime business executive Don Griffin has been named interim director of the Cumberland Business Incubator (CBI).

Griffin has worked with the CBI as a volunteer and advisor from the planning stages, through the grand opening last July and during the CBI’s first year. Roane State Community College operates the CBI, which is located on the college’s campus in Crossville.

Griffin succeeds Robert Safdie, who was instrumental in establishing the incubator and who served as CBI director since 2010. A Roane State faculty and staff member for 36 years, Safdie plans to return to the classroom and teach at the Cumberland County campus.

“Becoming interim director gives me an opportunity to build on what Robby accomplished,” Griffin said. “It’s going to be an exciting opportunity to coordinate a number of resources in the county and to work with the CBI’s partners to take the CBI to the next level. As we reach our goals, the CBI will become the focal point for anyone in this area that is interested in starting or growing a business.”

Griffin’s extensive experience includes founding his own Crossville-based consulting company and serving as president of four companies in the Northeast. He was founder and president of a startup in Pennsylvania that resided in a business incubator.

Griffin has a master of science in industrial administration from Purdue University’s highly regarded Krannert School of Management and certifications in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Data Processing (CDP). He has served as a counselor for SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses.

“My professional experience has focused on planning strategically, ensuring quality and producing results,” Griffin said. “I look forward to connecting Cumberland County’s small businesses to the resources and expertise available through the CBI.”

For more information about the CBI, call (931) 456-4910 or visit www.cumberlandincubator.com.