The College of the Canyons has turned to a veteran financial industry professional as the new director of the Small Business Development Center. Steve Tannehill started in the position on March 12, the day after the college board approved hiring him. Tannehill is a long time Santa Clarita Valley resident. He served as chief operating officer at Countrywide Servicing Exchanging, a subsidiary of Countrywide Financial based in Pasadena that was a broker for buyers and sellers of servicing rights. Tannehill is also an instructor at California State University, Northridge in finance, real estate and insurance. He also taught at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. The Small Business Development Center provides mentoring, counseling and other services for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys. Tannehill replaces Paul De La Cerda, the center’s first director, who left in November. Charlie Gill, a commercial real estate broker, has been interim director until a permanent one was named. The College of the Canyons center was recently recognized by the state’s chancellor office as one of the top 10 in the state, the only center in Southern California to make that ranking. The center has served about 5,000 businesses, business owners and entrepreneurs since opening in Santa Clarita in 2006. Mark R. Madler
