Sean is currently a Program director for the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. As Director of the Value-Added Sustainable Development Center, he works with rural communities to develop sustainable business models that address community needs. Sean has worked as an Economic Development Director, an SBDC Advisor, and the owner/operator of a grocery store in rural Illinois for 10 years. He currently leads the technical assistance for the Illinois Grocery Initiative, a state program providing grants for grocery startups in food deserts.