NJ Small Business Development Center
Staff

Gary Rago, CPA, MBA, Director
Steve Applebaum, MS, CPA, Senior Consultant

Gary Rago, CPA, MBA Director

Mr. Rago is a long time resident of South Jersey, having grown up in Willingboro and graduated from Kennedy High School.  He currently resides in Moorestown, NJ..  He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, and served as the Assistant Director for the NJ Small Business Development Center, Rutgers University-Camden since June of 1994, until November of 2001 when he was appointed Co-Director, then in 2002 when he was appointed Director .  Mr. Rago brings a broad range of experience to the NJ Small Business Development Center, Rutgers University-Camden that uniquely prepares him to assistant small business owners.  In the private sector Gary was the Treasurer/Controller of a Philadelphia Savings Bank.  In addition to this experience he spent several years as an owner/operator of his own business prior to accepting his current position at Rutgers. 

As the Director if the SBDC Mr. Rago manages a staff of consultants and independent professionals that provide free confidential management consulting to new and existing small businesses in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem Counties.  The Rutgers-Camden SBDC assists approximately 1200 clients and trains 1400 individuals throughout the four counties each year.   Mr. Rago has also assisted in the development, and has presented many of the training programs that are offered by the center. 

Mr. Rago's consulting efforts focus on business start up, business plans, loan proposals, financial projections and statements, financial analysis, NJ Small, Minority & Woman Certifications and NJ Schools Construction Pre-Qualification. 

Steven Applebaum, MS, CPA,  Senior Consultant

Steven Applebaum is a Certified Public Accountant who owns and manages a public accounting firm operating in Marlton, NJ under the name of Applebaum Professional Services.  Mr. Applebaum began the business in May of 1989.

Mr. Applebaum's business has focused primarily on the needs of small and medium sized businesses.  Mr. Applebaum has been very fortunate to develop a long standing relationship with the NJ Small Business Development Center, Rutgers University-Camden .  This relationship has allowed Mr. Applebaum to work very closely with the center's director, in assisting thousands of businesses and individuals in the business community.  This assistance has been provided in the form of counseling and training and has included development of entrepreneurial programs as well as developing curriculum and tools for the business owner. 

Additional accomplishments include various awards by the U.S. Small Business Development Center and School of Business, as well as participation on a variety of committees with organizations and institutions servicing the business community.  Mr. Applebaum has also published various articles on business and tax issues and has been a presenter at the national conference for the Association of Small Business Development Centers.  Mr. Applebaum was also involved in the development of a proposal which attained a grant for the Center for Management and Entrepreneurship at the Rutgers University, School of Business - Camden.

Mr. Applebaum has also volunteered his services as a trustee and Secretary/Treasurer for the Camden County Work Force Investment Board.  The Board has responsibility for the oversight of job training and job readiness in the county.