La Plata, MD- Wynne Briscoe, the director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), has been named one of Maryland’s 2024 Manufacturing Stars. The recognition, announced on Nov. 14 by the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland, highlights Briscoe’s significant contributions to the state’s manufacturing sector.
Described in the institute’s profiles as having “practical yet masterful” knowledge of manufacturing, Briscoe has been a vital force in advancing innovative practices within Maryland’s Small Business Development Center network. She serves as the statewide subject matter expert for manufacturing, a role she has embraced with enthusiasm and expertise.
“I have truly enjoyed helping entrepreneurs go from soup to nuts over the years,” Briscoe said following the ceremony. “Taking their concepts and assisting them through the commercialization process to bring their ideas to market has been an honor.”
Briscoe’s career spans more than two decades, with extensive experience in consulting and advising entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofits. She is recognized for her innovative approach to business development, guiding ventures from initial concepts to profitability and eventual exit strategies.
Her work has had a profound impact on Maryland’s manufacturing community. Briscoe has helped businesses transition through the prototype phase and, in some cases, into mass-market distribution. Additionally, she has collaborated with government contractors to diversify their offerings for commercial markets, enabling them to boost revenues while utilizing the same resources.
Ellen Flowers-Fields, vice president of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at CSM, praised Briscoe’s contributions. “Wynne Briscoe has been instrumental in advancing the manufacturing landscape in Maryland through her work as the state lead for manufacturing for the Maryland Small Business Development Center network,” Flowers-Fields said. “Her commitment to supporting innovation and growth has empowered local manufacturers to thrive, expand, and contribute to the state’s economic resilience.”
Briscoe’s impact extends beyond her role at the SBDC. On March 12, 2020, she testified before the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship during a hearing titled “The Coronavirus and America’s Small Business Supply Chain.” Her insights and expertise further solidified her reputation as a leading voice in small business and manufacturing.
Briscoe joined CSM’s SBDC in 2016 and was named director in 2020. After eight years with the Maryland SBDC network, Briscoe recently announced her decision to step into semi-retirement.
“After eight years with the Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region hosted at the College of Southern Maryland, I am looking forward to my new season,” she shared. “I will be assisting with various community organizations, faith-based initiatives, and consulting with businesses to empower the next generation of innovation.”
Her entrepreneurial spirit extends to her own ventures. In 2010, Briscoe founded Forever Eden Organics, Maryland’s second Certified Organic Bodycare Manufacturer, with a production facility in St. Mary’s County.
Briscoe is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Business and a concentration in Business Law. She brings more than 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship, spanning industries such as retail, professional services, technology, and manufacturing.
As Briscoe transitions into a new phase of her career, her legacy at CSM and in Maryland’s manufacturing community will continue to inspire.
