College of the Canyons will welcome two new directors to its Economic Development Division, with John Hoskinson and Larry McLaughlin stepping into director roles with the Small Business Development Center and the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies, respectively. Both positions will begin effective March 2.

“I am excited to have John and Larry join the college’s Economic Development team,” said Joe Klocko, Dean of Economic Development at the college. “Both possess a wealth of experience and their predisposition to be involved with service-based community groups aligns perfectly with the college’s philosophy.”

John Hoskinson

Hoskinson begins his tenure as SBDC director after decades of private industry and manufacturing experience.

In spending 33 years with Santa Clarita-based Gruber Systems Inc., Hoskinson rose to assume duties as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2006. Past awards received include the LA Mendenhall Award for Outstanding Leadership and Dedication, and recognition as the Santa Clarita Man of the Year.

“I look forward to using my significant experience in private industry, and my penchant to support community organizations at large, to focus on ensuring the ongoing success of our SBDC clients in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and Antelope Valleys,” Hoskinson said.

Hoskinson succeeds former SBDC director Steve Tannehill, who will remain active with the SBDC after voluntarily moving into a part-time position with the center.

Under Tannehill’s direction over the past six years, the SBDC hosted by COC has been one of the highest performing centers in the region, having facilitated hundreds of new business start-ups.

Larry McLaughlin

At the CACT, McLaughlin will step into the director role previously held by Klocko. The CACT director position also serves as the Deputy Sector Navigator for Advanced Manufacturing for the California Community College System’s South Central Coast Region.

In that role, McLaughlin will work with community colleges, governmental and quasi-governmental organizations as well as individual companies throughout a region that includes the Antelope and Santa Clarita Valleys, as well as Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Prior to arriving at COC, McLaughlin served as Regional Director and Deputy Sector Navigator for the College of the Desert’s Advanced Transportation and Renewable Energy program.

“My years of experience as a Regional Director at College of the Desert positions me well to hit the ground running at COC,” Mclaughlin said. “Additionally, I also have experience managing an off-campus facility similar to the CACT.”

Both the SBDC and the CACT are hosted by College of the Canyons and funded by federal, state and local grants and sponsors.

For more information about the college’s Economic Development Division visit www.canyonsecondev.org.