Karen West is a consultant to the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) and provides specialized expertise to companies seeking federal awards for research and development of new technology under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program. Karen is an ex-Air Force Contracting Officer and Technical Training Instructor with over 35 years’ experience in government contract administration and is a 2006 Small Business Administration Tibbetts Awardee for her work guiding Maine small businesses through the SBIR/STTR program.