. |
Michael Baird // Track Session Leader
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
Michael Baird is the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. With more than 20 years of experience, he is a highly regarded leader in the field of marketing and communications.
Michael Baird’s professional experience includes serving as Director of Marketing for TOMCAR, LTD, a commercial off-road vehicle manufacturer. He has also worked as Marketing Manager for Fathead, LLC, a specialty online retainer; was Marketing Communications Project Manager for Quicken Loans; and Field Marketing and Sales Manager for Feld Entertainment, a producer of live family entertainment.
Michael has extensive experience taking projects from concept to reality. Whether the audience is the off-road enthusiast, or a mom looking for cost-effective family entertainment, Michael knows that the brand is more than a fancy logo and pretty pictures. It’s about creating a great experience. His proven track record of developing marketing solutions that speak directly to the intended audience in meaningful ways, and that produce results, is evidence of his skill, knowledge and ability.
A great marketer’s strength lies in the ability to examine a situation, assess what needs to happen, and execute a plan to get the job done right. That is Michael’s belief and the standard by which he judges himself. He believes the best marketing plans bring both a creative and analytical perspective to every project, ensuring an innovative, yet thoughtful approach that achieves the desired—or even better—results.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Brian Boyle // Panelist
Co-founder and Publisher
Issue Media Group
As a founding partner of Issue Media Group, Brian Boyle is obsessed with designing New Media that can be leveraged to help community stakeholders advance local issues.
His first success, Model D Media, www.modeldmedia, launched in May of 2005 with a unique coalition of public / private entities determined to intentionally “re-frame the Detroit narrative” to attract investments and people able to compete in a global marketplace.
Issue Media Group has since launched similar efforts in 17 national markets and was recognized by Inc. Magazine in 2010 as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.
Before founding Issue Media Group, Brian directed e-Business Solutions for Infinity Broadcasting (VIACOM), where he created ‘small’ media within a radio giant. The e-Business Solutions team managed the sales, marketing and creation of 11 online publications targeting niche audiences for technology, automotive, human resources, alternative energy, small business and real estate. In consecutive years, Infinity recognized Brian as newcomer of the year and new business leader of the year for its seven Detroit stations.
Prior to joining Infinity, Brian was vice president of Marketing and Strategic Development for Drillbit, a publishing consultant specializing in niche online content models. The Drillbit approach and content management solution were instrumental in assisting national “alternative weekly” publications to leverage online content to grow new audiences and revenues. Drillbit created the award-winning www.metrotimes.com site.
Brian also co-chaired Detroit Renaissance’s Creative Economy Initiative, served as a member of the Columbia University’s American Assembly and has been a featured public speaker at CEOs for Cities, Next American City and the International Downtown Association.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Terry Cross // Track Session Leader
Founder
Windward Associates
Executive in Residence of Entrepreneurship
Wayne State University School of Business
Terry Cross has been an Angel investor and businessman for over 40 years. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of Great Lakes Angels and a founding member of The Michigan Venture Capital Association. While he has served on many boards over the years, his current board memberships include: RealKidz; PureEntropy as Chairman; MIST Innovations as Chairman; and Monarch Antenna, a Delphi Corp. spinout. Mr. Cross serves as the first Executive in Residence for Entrepreneurship at The School of Business Administration at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, where he administers the prestigious Adams Entrepreneurial Fellowship and received the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award. Terry was a co-founder of Sonoma Photonics, recently sold to Lockheed-Martin. He was a founding investor in three startups from MIT’s tech transfer department and served on MIT’s Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity. In September of 2007, he was named to the Task Force for A World Financial Center by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, one of Korea’s most prestigious institutions. He was employed by Kidder, Peabody in various financial services and investment banking activities in Detroit, New York and San Francisco for 28 years until his retirement in 1998.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Mark Clevey // Track Session Leader
Program Manager
Launch Pad
Mark is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force with over 35 years of successful experience in both the public and private sectors. He has deep expertise in clean technology, alternative energy, economic gardening, entrepreneurship education and innovative entrepreneurship. His views on entrepreneurship and related community/economic development have been widely quoted in business and general media publications, including Inc. Magazine. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Small Business Foundation of Michigan and Vice President for Entrepreneurship with the Small Business Association of Michigan. As a Consultant, Mark continues to lead the SBAM/SBFM Michigan Entrepreneurship Score Card project.
In recognition of his expertise in cutting-edge entrepreneurship, Mark serves as a member of the National Science Foundation SBIR Advisory Committee (Chairperson of the Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) Subcommittee) and a member of the Michigan, Emerging Technology Fund. His expertise is also reflected in his long-standing service as an SBIR Phase Commercialization Plan Reviewer for the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy. (Previously, Mark also served as the Administrator of the Michigan, State Research Fund and a Business Plan Reviewer for the NIST Advanced Technology Program (ATP).
Mark has received a number of awards and recognitions for his work in cutting-edge entrepreneurship including a Leaders and Innovators Award from Lawrence Technological University and an Award for Excellence from the Michigan Small Business Development Center Network. In addition, Mark has received three important national awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration: (1) Tibbetts Award for SBIR Commercialization Program; (2) Innovation Advocate for the Year; and, (3) Innovation Achievement Award.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Mary Corrado // Track Session Leader
President & Chief Executive Officer
American Society of Employers
Mary E. Corrado joined the American Society of Employers in January 1990 and held several positions before being appointed President and CEO in December 2002.
Corrado has more than 18 years of experience in association management and has delivered numerous presentations on various human resource topics, such as compensation and benefits, employee development and employee relations. She also is President and a trustee of the ASE Educational Foundation and is on the board of the ASE-affiliated HR Management Group.
Corrado has been recognized as an Emerging Business Leader by the Detroit Regional Chamber. She also received the Emerging New Leader Award from the Michigan Society of Association Executives in 2003. In 2002 she was named one of the top 40 under 40 executives by Crain’s Detroit Business magazine.
Corrado is a Certified Compensation Professional, a Certified Management Assessor, and a past volunteer for the Detroit Executive Services Corp. She was elected Co-Chair of the U.S. Department of Education State Clusters Project, and has sat on the National Advisory Committee.
Corrado is a member of the Metropolitan Detroit Board of the YMCA, serving on its Executive Committee and chairing its HR Committee. She has sat on the National Association of Manufacturers Board of Directors, and was elected to Chair the Employer Association Group in 2009, and to the Skyline Club Board of Governors in 2004 where she is Chair of the Nominating Committee. Corrado also serves on the board of directors of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber and the Michigan Society of Association Executives.
Corrado received her MBA from the University of Michigan in 2007 and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1990.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Keith Cooley // Track Session Leader
Chief Executive Officer
Principia, LLC
Keith W. Cooley, engineer, strategist and corporate executive for more than 40 years is a community leader now focusing his talents on developing policy, creating strategies and working collaboratively to stimulate innovative regional activism for the revitalization of Detroit and its environs. His diverse background in corporate, university, not for profit and government settings combines a formal training in scientific method and facts based analysis with years of real world know-how building and leading teams, empowering others and fostering innovative risk taking.
Cooley, currently CEO of advisory firm, Principia, LLC, was most recently President and ChiefExecutive Officer of NextEnergy, an accelerator for alternative energy businesses and technologies. There at the request of Michigan’s Governor Granholm, he led the creation of asorely needed and robust sustainability plan; helped the organization reconnect to vital funding from the foundation community; and hosted Vice President Biden’s announcement of a $1.3billion award to Michigan business for vehicle electrification before expanding his interests to form Principia.
Prior to joining NextEnergy, Cooley was the Director of the Department of Labor & EconomicGrowth (DLEG) and a cabinet member to the Governor. In this capacity, he directed the activities of more than 4,000 employees in 35 agencies and managed a $1.4 billion budget. His principal objective was to “up-skill” Michigan’s workforce to compete in a global community and provide opportunities for economic recovery.
His professional activities and affiliations include membership in the Engineering Society ofDetroit and service with The University of Michigan Engineering Advisory Council; the Michigan Environmental Council; the Michigan Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization Board and the Public School Academies of Detroit. Previous Board Service includes the Bioscience Research & Commercialization Center. He has been recognized in Who’s Who in the World, named a Tau Beta Pi Eminent Engineer, and received the GeneralMotors President’s Council Honors.
Cooley received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering physics and a Master of Science degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan in 1967 and 1972, respectively.As a graduate student, he founded the Minority Engineering Programs Office, College ofEngineering. In addition, he was a gymnast; the first African-American to compete in that sport at the school and was a member of U-M’s 1966 Big Ten Championship team.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Michelle Crumm // Panelist
Co-founder and Chief Business Officer
Adaptive Materials, Inc.
As co-founder and chief business officer of Adaptive Materials, Inc., Michelle Crumm’s leadership has been instrumental in helping the fuel cell company transition from start-up to second stage, fast-growing manufacturing company. In her role, Crumm is focused on leading Adaptive Materials to achieve continued high double-digit growth in revenue and profitability, as well as supporting innovation and commercialization of the company’s solid oxide fuel cells.
Widely recognized for her leadership, Crumm was named one of “Most Influential Women” by Crain’s Detroit Business and one of Enterprising Women’s “2008 Women of the Year.” Crumm was also recently awarded “Leader to Watch” by Women in Public Policy. Adaptive Materials has been recognized for its dynamic growth with Ann Arbor SPARK FastTrack, Inc. 5,000, and Inc. 100 Energy Company awards.
Prior to founding Adaptive Materials, Crumm spent nearly 5 years at Kellogg Company. During her tenure at Kellogg, Crumm was able to accelerate her career with experiences in internal audit, investor relations, and procurement. In addition to Kellogg Company, Crumm has served as an accountant at an automotive supplier and obtained her Certified Public Accountant license while working as an auditor with Plante and Moran.
As a dynamic community participant, Crumm is an active board member for the Washtenaw County American Red Cross and currently serves as treasurer for the Great Lakes Entrepreneur Quest executive board of directors. She is an enthusiastic participant of Women’s President Organization and Women in Public Policy.
Crumm earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Purdue University and a master of business administration degree from University of Michigan.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Michael Finney // Keynote Speaker
President and CEO
Ann Arbor SPARK
Michael A. Finney is president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. Founded in 2005, SPARK has become one of the premier economic development organizations in the United States under Mike’s leadership.
SPARK is credited with playing a major role in assisting 135 companies with expansions in and locations to the Ann Arbor region, adding more than 9,000 new job commitments and $1.1 billion in new investments. SPARK’s entrepreneurial programs have assisted in the formation of more than 200 start-up companies.
Prior to joining Ann Arbor SPARK, Mike served as president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise, Rochester, New York. He also served as vice president, emerging business sectors, of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Mike serves on the board of directors for the State Science & Technology Institute and the Michigan Venture Capital Association. He is a member of the Life Sciences Institute and Technology Transfer National Advisory councils at The University of Michigan. Additionally, Mike is a trustee for both the Washtenaw Community College Foundation and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
Mike has received numerous awards and recognition, including the 2005 Minett Distinguished Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, named by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the 2007 Newsmakers of the Year, and was selected the 2008 Saginaw Valley State University Outstanding Alumnus for the College of Business & Management.
He earned a master of arts degree from Central Michigan University and a bachelor of business administration degree from Saginaw Valley State University.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Michael Flanagan // Panelist
Capital Markets Development Team Leader
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Mike Flanagan is the Team Leader of the Capital Services division at MEDC. The Capital Services team is charged with increasing the availability of debt and equity financing to businesses in Michigan. The team administers multiple debt and equity enhancement programs to achieve this mission, including the Capital Access Program, the Michigan Supplier Diversification Fund, and the 21st Century Investment Fund. Mike works closely with the banking and investing community on a daily basis, which provides him with unique insight into the current state of the capital markets and the practices of lenders and investors in Michigan. Mike also speaks regularly to businesses and stakeholders around the state about MEDC’s programs and the capital markets generally, including special events hosted by the Governor’s Office. Prior to joining MEDC Mike worked in the financial services industry for ten years, most recently as a financial advisor to businesses and consumers at JPMorgan Chase Bank. Mike holds a BA and an MPA from the University of Michigan.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Rob Fowler // Track Session Leader
President and Chief Executive Officer
Small Business Association of Michigan
Rob Fowler is President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Having joined the staff of SBAM in 2000, he served for three years as the Vice President of the subsidiary corporation Small Business Insurance Services. He assumed his current position in July of 2003.
The Small Business Association of Michigan was founded in 1969 and today serves nearly 10,000 member companies from all of Michigan’s 83 counties. The organization’s mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. Recently SBAM has become a leading voice for growing the state’s entrepreneurial community and “Propelling a New Economic Direction for Michigan.”
Before coming to Michigan, Mr. Fowler served as the Executive Director of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) in Cleveland Ohio from 1995 to 2000. COSE is the small business arm of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce which was, at that time, the country’s largest Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that he was a lobbyist for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for ten years where he also served as the Executive Director of the Indiana Small Business Council. Rob worked for the Indiana Lt. Governor for two years before his time with the Indiana Chamber.
In his capacity as President of SBAM he is a registered lobbyist representing small business before the Michigan legislature. He also serves as the President of the Small Business Foundation of Michigan, a wholly owned subsidiary of SBAM. In addition, Mr. Fowler serves as the Chairman of the Michigan Health Insurance Access Advisory Council, an organization of broad-based interest groups dedicated to solving the uninsured problem, and serves as Chair of the Business Advisory Committee of the Michigan Hospital Association. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Small Business Association and the past Chairman of the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Mid-Michigan.
A graduate of Ball State University with a degree in Political Science, he serves on the National Development Council of Ball State University. Rob and his wife Lisa live in Haslett with their son Reid and daughter Emma. In June of 2008 he was elected to his second four-year term on the Haslett Board of Education and currently serves as its President.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Jeff Freyer // Panelist
Vice President Business Services
Comcast Business
Michigan Region Senior Vice President Tom Coughlin is pleased to name Jeff Freyer as Vice President of Business Services for the Michigan Region. Jeff replaces Mike Cebulski, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities.
In his new position, Jeff will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that will lead to greater success in our commercial sales market. He also will be responsible for leading our Business Services team to meet the sales and revenue goals determined by NorthCentral Division and Corporate leadership. This will include partnering with Michigan Region leadership to build and grow sales channels through business and community relationships.
Jeff most recently served as Business Services Vice President in Comcast’s Western New England Region, comprised of about 800,000 basic subs. He has 13 years of sales experience earned through numerous positions, including his time as General Manager and Sales Director of Ohio for Level 3 Communications. Prior to joining Level 3, he managed sales and service teams for several industry-leading communications companies such as MCI and TelCove. He began his career at AT&T working in the Outsourcing group that provided Wide Area Network management services to large commercial customers.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics with a minor in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. He also has earned a Master of Science degree in Business Statistics from the University of Tennessee.
Jeff’s experience with Comcast and other large telecommunications companies will definitely be an asset in our efforts to grow our leadership in the commercial markets here in Michigan.
“Jeff’s career demonstrates his ability to meet and exceed business goals in competitive markets and challenging economies,” said Tom. “He knows how to position our people and products in ways that lead to strong sales and customers who will be confident in our ability to serve them. Please join me in welcoming Jeff to Michigan.”
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Dan Keelan // Panelist
Senior Business Manager
i3Logic
Dan Keelan has been in creative/tech services and media for 15 years. He is the founder of the ChangeUP movement, a grassroots effort to encourage purposeful change, to highlight examples that surprise and inform, and to monitor the individual’s and community’s progress toward change-inspired results. In his day job at i3Logic, Dan works with global clients to manage change across complex organizations. This involves internal communications, training, new product support and ongoing process improvement across the boundaries of geography, culture and language. The movement has grown out of a personal quest to move organizational change principals to the individual and community level and to play a role in lifting Michigan by changing the ways that we all think, talk and act. He is a member of the ConnecTech Board of Directors. Additionally, Dan spends his time writing music, camping with his family, advocating for the arts, and pursuing other wholesome (yet creative) activities.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Kevin Lasser // Homeland Security Panelist
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer
USREA
A self admitted “serial entrepreneur,” Kevin B. Lasser has 25 years of experience in business building, finance, and IT security. Mr. Lasser is Chief Executive Officer of Encryption Security Solutions (ESS) and Pure Entropy Technologies (PET) where he is leading both companies to become world class providers of encryption/cyber security solutions to commercial concerns (through ESS) and government/military installations (PET was awarded with its first government contract in 2009). He oversees business operations as well as all sales and marketing efforts.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Rishi Jaitly // Keynote Speaker
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer
Michigan Corps
A graduate of Princeton University (A.B.), Rishi has extensive public interest experience at the intersection of the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
In early 2010, Rishi co-founded Michigan Corps, the premier national investment vehicle for Michigan, providing financial, intellectual, and human capital from across the country to the most sophisticated enterprises in Michigan.
Michigan Corps’ Founding Corps Members include: Google Chair and CEO Dr. Eric Schmidt; Emmy Award-winning Sportscaster Dick Enberg; CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta; Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Jeffrey Eugenides; Former Digg CEO Jay Adelson; Skoll Foundation President Dr. Larry Brilliant; and Sun Microsystems Founder and Former CEO Scott McNealy.
Rishi’s leadership of Michigan Corps has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Associated Press, and numerous other local and national media.
From July 2009 through March 2010, he was Director of Strategic Partnerships and Public Policy at College Summit, America’s premier non-profit organization partnering with low-income schools nationwide to increase college enrollment rates. There, among other things, he brought together a coalition of cross-sector leaders, including the CEOs of PepsiCo, Google, Deloitte, and Princeton University, to ensure college proficiency is a success measure for the American K-12 education system.
Prior to joining College Summit, Rishi lived in New Delhi, India where he was Head of Government Affairs and Public-Private Partnerships for Google across South Asia. There, he conducted public policy advocacy, overturned Internet censorship in Pakistan and Bangladesh, mobilized India’s top political parties to use the Internet for the first time, and led the development of Google’s first ever election-transparency and citizen-empowerment product.
Previously, while based in Silicon Valley, Rishi supported Google’s worldwide public policy advocacy efforts from Lansing to Paris, led Google.org’s philanthropic work with the United Nations, and supported communications for Google’s CEO.
Earlier in his career, Rishi has served as Coordinator of Public Policy and Government Affairs at College Summit, Trustee of Princeton University, and Commissioner of the New Jersey State Commission on Higher Education.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Catherine Juon // Track Session Leader
Co-Founder and Catalyst
Pure Visibility
Catherine Juon, Co-Founder & Catalyst of Pure Visibility, has worked in the Internet space for nearly 20 years. Her experience includes work on the first Web site for Ford Motor Company?s Engineering Information Systems department to helping Fortune 500 companies develop their online marketing strategies.
An entrepreneur who is adept at aligning business goals with Internet marketing strategies, Catherine founded Stretch Media, which eventually merged with another local technology company. She went on to co-found Pure Visibility to focus on results-driven search engine marketing. Catherine’s expertise helps Pure Visibility?s clients integrate online strategies that leverage online advertising, search engine marketing and social media.
Catherine?s community involvement includes work with the Michigan Innovators and Great Commission Air (www.greatcommissionair.org), as well as several economic development boards in Saline, Mich. She serves on the financial development committee of the Washtenaw County of the American Red Cross, is a member of Women Impacting Public Policy, and the Women Presidents Organization.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Bhushan Kulkarni // Emerging Sector Panelist
CEO
InfoReady Corporation
Bhushan is a serial entrepreneur and has built five software products, solutions and services companies over the past 22 years.
Bhushan is currently Chairman of GDI Infotech, award winning fast growth IT Services and Solutions Company that specializes in Information Integration, Information Management and Information Collaboration. His team building and open-book management style has allowed GDI to reinvent itself through multiple ups and downs of technology sector while retaining its competitiveness and resourcefulness. This has helped GDI team focus on its core mission as a Business and Technology Solutions Company as well as launch new product ideas and companies.
Bhushan recently spun off a software company from GDI, InfoReady Corporation in March 2010. Bhushan is currently spearheading growth of InfoReady Corporation as its President and CEO. InfoReady Software platform helps users aggregate and find relevant information quickly from the information overload and do collaboration and tracking using secured Social Media technology. InfoReady has released its first vertical application product, InfoReady4Grants, which helps research institutions, private and public enterprises find relevant research and program grant opportunities; facilitate collaboration among different stakeholders in a secured social media workspace and track outcomes.
Bhushan was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Michigan Technology Services. He has received the American Dreamer Award, “40 under 40″ recognition and has been listed in Who’s Who in Technology Services by Crain’s Business Weekly Magazine among numerous other awards and recognitions. Bhushan is equally involved in community leadership. He strongly believes in giving back to the community and he has served / is serving on the Boards of several non-profit organizations in Michigan very actively. Some of these organizations include Ann Arbor SPARK, Board Secretary at Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Past Chair at Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, Ann Arbor IT Zone, Ann Arbor Art Center, Information Technology Association of Michigan (ITEAM) and the Past President of American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI). He is also a Charter Member of TiE.
Bhushan was born in India and came to the United States in 1985 to pursue graduate studies at West Virginia University. After earning his M.S. in Engineering, he joined the Ford Motor Company as a Project Engineer before embarking on his journey of entrepreneurship. His ventures besides GDI and InfoReady include InTouch Communications (a Telecommunication Systems and Software company), and other two start-ups for Voice processing Software Development and CAD/CAM/CAE Services and Solutions companies.
[top of page]
.
|
.. |
Todd O. McCracken // Keynote Speaker
President
National Small Business Association
Todd McCracken currently serves as president of National Small Business Association (NSBA), directing all activities of the advocacy-oriented association. Mr. McCracken became president of NSBA in 1997. Mr. McCracken started with the association in 1988, previously serving as vice president of government affairs.
Mr. McCracken is a registered lobbyist before the U.S. Congress, representing the organization in myriad settings. As director of its government affairs arm, Mr. McCracken plays a key role in developing NSBA’s policies on issues and the strategies in implementing them. Since coming to the association, Mr. McCracken has testified before Congress numerous times about issues ranging from fundamental health care reform to tax code restructuring.
Mr. McCracken also is a frequent commentator in the media, having appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and NBC Nightly News as well as in the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and myriad other publications. As a non-partisan organization, NSBA works proactively with elected and administration officials to promote policies that support small business growth and development. NSBA is the nation’s oldest small business organization. It was founded in 1937.
A native of New Mexico, Mr. McCracken is a graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, with a B.A. in Economics.
[top of page]
.
|
..
|
Dr. G. Robert Malan // Panelist
Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Arbor Networks
Rob brings over ten years of research experience in computer networking and security to Arbor Networks. Rob, whose thesis work at the University of Michigan formed the basis for Arbor Networks’ technology, is the author of the company’s patents. Rob has successfully transitioned technology from research prototype to product during his tenure in industry, which includes work at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Laboratory and Hewlett-Packard. Rob began his networking career working as a researcher on the Mach operating system project at Carnegie Mellon. He has authored 18 papers published in top-tier computer security and networking journals and conference proceedings. Rob holds a Ph.D. and MSE in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon.
[top of page]
.
|
..
|
Kevin Marrs // Track Session Leader
Director, Survey Services
American Society of Employers
Kevin Marrs is the Director of Survey Services at the American Society of Employers, overseeing ASE’s compensation and benefits survey department. ASE conducts more than 20 local and national benchmark
surveys annually, providing data to thousands of organizations in Michigan.
Before joining ASE in 1996, Marrs was a Human Resource
Representative with BAE Systems, assisting the company in its compensation planning and administration. Prior to BAE, Marrs had spent five years with ASE working in research and survey areas.
Marrs is a member of WorldatWork, a national professional association for compensation professionals.
Marrs earned his master of science in experimental psychology from Central Washington University and a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy.
[top of page]
.
|
..
|
Tim McCormick // Keynote Speaker
Former U of M and NBA Basketball star, current ESPN color analyst and NBA Players Association strategist
Tim grew up in Clarkston, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in communication. He spent ten seasons in the NBA as a player. He was drafted by Cleveland with the #12 pick in the 1984 draft and was traded to Washington and then Seattle. Tim played for the Seattle Supersonics, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and New York Knicks.
Tim has worked for the National Basketball Players Association for the last eighteen years as the Regional Director of Player Programs. He is also the director of the NBA Players Association’s TOP 100 Basketball Camp for the elite 100 high school players in the nation.
Tim provides color analysis as a broadcaster for the ESPN Network. He is currently in his seventeenth year of broadcasting. Tim has also worked extensively for the Big Ten Network, Versus and ABC Sports.
In addition, he provides corporate motivational speeches, key-note addresses and business seminars throughout the country with “Never Be Average” and “Pro-Style Leadership” as his featured programs.
[top of page]
.
|
..
|
Roger Newton, PhD, FAHA // Panelist
President & CEO
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
Roger Newton has worked for more than 27 years in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. He is currently founder, President & CEO, and a director of Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. Prior to his current role, he was Senior Vice President, Pfizer Global R&D and Director, Esperion Therapeutics, a Pfizer, Inc. company. He was co-founder, President & CEO of the original Esperion founded in July 1998. Under Roger’s leadership and the team’s effort, Esperion raised more than $200 million in funding, building a portfolio of biopharmaceuticals and small molecule product candidates, and was acquired by Pfizer for $1.3 billion in February 2004. Pfizer then divested Esperion in May 2008 and Roger restarted the company as an independent enterprise with $23 million in venture capital funding.
Prior to founding the original Esperion, Roger was with Warner Lambert/Parke-Davis (now Pfizer) from 1981-1998. As a Distinguished Scientist and Chairman of the Atherosclerosis Drug Discovery Team, he co-discovered and was the product champion of what is now the most prescribed cholesterol-reducing drug in the world, atorvastatin (Lipitor®).
Roger’s research interests for the past thirty years have focused on the nutritional and pharmacological regulation of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism as they relate to atherosclerosis and vascular diseases. Roger is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School. He has co-authored nearly one hundred peer-reviewed articles and chapters during his research career. Roger has a Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Science degree in nutritional biochemistry from the University of Connecticut, and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Lafayette College.
Roger is a member of the Board of Directors of AcelleRx Corporation, Rubicon Genomics, Resverlogix, Inc., and Ann Arbor Spark. He is a member of the National Advisory Boards of the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center and University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute. He is also a member of the Technology Advisory Boards of Arboretum Ventures and Metagenics, Inc.
[top of page]
.
|
..
|
Dr. Bryan Ritchie // Keynote Speaker
Associate Director for External Strategy, Office of Biobased Technologies
Associate Professor of International Relations, James Madison College
Co-director, Michigan Center for Innovation and Economic Prosperity
A former entrepreneur who started two computer companies and consulted for Novel, USRobotics, 3Com and Iomega before moving to academia, Bryan Ritchie studies the processes of innovation and technological development in the fast-growing economies of Southeast Asia. Ritchie’s technological and research background allows him to understand the needs of both the university and the business world.
As associate director for external strategy for the Office of Biobased Technologies, Ritchie will ensure that the private sector has access to the full range of bioeconomy research and resources available at Michigan State University.
“I’m crafting and implementing a strategy to rapidly and seamlessly connect MSU with the bioeconomy private sector, including businesses, government and other universities,” Ritchie says. “I’m also helping MSU organize to gain access to the private sector.
“This is truly the perfect position for me,” he says. “It allows me to combine my entrepreneurial background and my academic research to help build Michigan’s bioeconomy.”
Ritchie continues as co-director of the MCIEP, focusing his work at the center on developing external strategies for the Office of Biobased Technologies. This, too, is a natural fit. The MCIEP was founded in 2006 to explore the industries and policies that can develop Michigan’s 21st century economy. To many, this is the bioeconomy. Each year the center produces three sets of reports: an industry review, a policy review and a set of recommendations for industry leaders and policy-makers. In 2007, the MCIEP produced reports on the advanced automotive, medical technology, pharmaceutical, biofuels and telecommunication industries.
“The OBT position is a great opportunity to bring together university resources and make them available to people who seek them,” Ritchie says.
Ritchie received his doctorate in political science from Emory University, his MBA from the Marriott School at Brigham Young University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Christopher V. Stark // Panelist
Detroit Territory Leader
Kelly Services
Christopher V. Stark is the Detroit Territory Leader for Kelly Services, Inc., (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB). Kelly is a world leader in workforce management services and human resources solutions headquartered in Troy, Michigan.
Mr. Stark is responsible for the sales, operations, and administration of Kelly’s staffing businesses in South-Eastern Michigan. These businesses include – Kelly Engineering Resources, Kelly IT Resources, Kelly Scientific Resources, Kelly Financial Resources, Kelly Healthcare Resources, The Kelly Law Registry, and Commercial Staffing.
In 2006, Mr. Stark served as the GE Global Account Manager for Kelly, responsible for creating new business development initiatives within GE and fostering strategic partnerships with GE’s corporate business units. He was promoted to his current role in 2007.
Mr. Stark joined Kelly Services in 1993 as Recruiter. He was later promoted to District Manager for Dayton, OH and then the Regional Sales Manager of Western States for Kelly’s U.S. Commercial Sales team.
Mr. Stark holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Pre-Law from Michigan State University.
Among his professional activities, Mr. Stark currently serves on the board of directors for multiple organizations, including, Sparky Anderson’s CATCH Golf Committee, and the Academy of Information Technology within the Golightly Career and Technical Center – Detroit Public Schools.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Rebecca Salminen Witt // Panelist
President
The Greening of Detroit
Since 1996 Rebecca Salminen Witt has served as the President of The Greening of Detroit, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting planting, environmental education and environmental advocacy in the City of Detroit. In that time she has orchestrated the growth of the organization from a staff of three with an annual budget of $235,000 to a 24-person, $3.5 million per year operation, planting 5,000 trees, educating nearly 10,000 children and raising over 160 tons of food annually.
As President of The Greening, Rebecca develops and oversees the implementation of all current and prospective programming, supervises staff, ensures the fiscal integrity of the organization through budgeting and development work, and serves as the primary advocate and spokesperson for the organization. Prior to accepting her position with The Greening of Detroit, Rebecca practiced law in the city of Detroit working in the areas of corporate transactions, employment law, and environmental law. Earlier in her career Rebecca worked as a Summer Ranger for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. In this position she gained first hand experience with the kind of hands-on work that volunteers and student interns to do at the Greening.
Rebecca serves on the Board of Directors City Year Detroit, a National Youth Service Organization devoted to developing idealism in today’s youth. She also serves as the President of the Michigan Urban & Community Forestry Council and as an advisory committee member of The Detroit Studio, an urban design studio devoted to service learning projects for Architectural and Urban Design students at Lawrence Technological University. Recently, Rebecca was elected President of the Board of Directors of the Communities Committee, a national 501c3 organization devoted to advancing U.S. National Policy on Urban and Community Forestry.
[top of page]
.
|
. |
Mark Symonds // Track Session Leader
Chief Executive Officer and President
Plex Systems
Mark Symonds serves as President and CEO of Plex Systems Inc., developers of Plex OnlineTM, on-demand software for the manufacturing enterprise. Since taking the helm of Plex in early 2006, Symonds has driven significant sales growth and earned industry recognition.
Symonds has a distinguished history of leading organizations to excellence. In his more than two decades in information technology and manufacturing prior to joining Plex, Symonds started several successful IT consulting businesses where he led projects in ERP implementation, sales force automation, data warehousing and intranet development and deployment.
He began his career at Arthur Andersen after earning his Masters in Business Administration from Cornell University and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rochester in New York. He is a CPA, and is certified in production and inventory management (CPIM) by APICS.
Symonds serves on the Precision Metalforming Association Board of Directors and the Software and IT Industry Association Board of Directors and is a frequent speaker at conferences on manufacturing business and technology.
Symonds and his family live in the Greater Detroit area.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Simon Perazza // Panelist
Director of Constituent Relations
ArtServe Michigan
Simón Perazza has an extensive background in strategic marketing, digital media, arts advocacy and arts education, having won numerous statewide and national awards for his videos and original scripts. As part of TeachARTS, a federally-funded Title IIA Teacher Quality Grant program, Simón led 152 teaching-artist workshops and 55 student-produced videos. He managed personnel, equipment, production, digital archival and web distribution for MATRIX, the Online Center for the Humane Arts, Letters, and Social Sciences at Michigan State University. In 2007, he graduated from the Eli Broad School of Management with his MBA in Marketing, Strategy, and Leadership & Change Management and has been the Director of Constituent Relations for ArtServe Michigan, the state’s arts advocacy organization since 2008.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Ryan Waddington // Panelist
Managing Director
Huron River Ventures
Ryan has over 13 years of experience in investing, operating and consulting roles in the alternative energy and environmental sectors, and is widely recognized as an experienced cleantech investment professional. Ryan has invested in more than 15 energy technology companies at seed, venture and growth equity stages, totaling over $100 million of invested and committed capital.
Prior to co-founding Huron River Ventures, Ryan helped establish an energy-focused private equity group within New York-based Ziff Brothers Investments, one of the largest and most successful family office investment firms in the country. There he became part of the core team of investment managers and worked on multiple transactions in sectors including renewables, biofuels, power transmission and advanced materials. Ryan began his career in venture capital working inside DTE Energy’s corporate venture group, where he worked on investments in fuel cells, energy storage, power electronics and waste-to-energy, among others. Ryan also established and executed a seed stage funding program at NextEnergy, where he funded several prominent Michigan-based alternative energy companies, and co-founded a “dot com” web portal for outdoor enthusiasts while in business school.
Ryan is currently an Observer to the Board of HRV portfolio company Ambiq Micro. Prior investments include Danotek Motion Technologies, NRG Dynamix, Nextek Power Systems, Vortex Hydro, Xtreme Biochemicals, Advent Solar and SoftSwitching Technologies.
Ryan holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and a MBA with Distinction from the Ross School of Business at University of Michigan, where participated in the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise.
[top of page]
.
|
.
|
Gerald Zack // Alternative Energy Panelist
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer
US Renewable Energy Association
Gerald Zack (Gerry) founded the privately held, customer friendly Internet domain for renewable energy enthusiasts known as USREA.org.
Under his leadership, USREA began in 2003 a vision to provide green enthusiasts’ with news, education, information, product reviews and discounts on products and services among like-minded individuals. Gerry also serves as President and CEO of SolarOcity LLC., and Windmill Creek, a future renewable energy learning center in Lexington, Michigan. Most recently he was part owner and VP of Marketing & Product Development of Steelmax, LLC., located in Denver, CO.
A self-proclaimed technologist, Gerry has over 30 years experience in the electronics, solar energy, teaching, automotive, marketing, and high technology industries. As an FCC First Class broadcast engineer, electronics and mechanics instructor, master automotive mechanic, product designer, marketer and private pilot, Gerry has excelled in a variety of disciplines and industries. He has owned or partnered in a number of companies and has received training from various trade and technical schools including GMI, Specs Howard, SVSU, and multiple specialty institutions. Gerry was a contract member of a Western Michigan University campus solar PV project, as well as installation of a solar PV system for the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association in Dimondale, Michigan, and various solar and wind installations in Michigan. As VP of Product Development and Technology, Gerry has traveled to China a dozen times while developing critical relationships and engineering product solutions for the fabricating industry, and has traveled to Vietnam and Europe while developing new products for the US market. He has served as Public Affairs officer for the Civil Air Patrol at Selfridge Air National Guard base. Gerry has likewise interviewed on ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, the Wall Street Journal, WJR-AM radio show and Wired magazine under a wide variety of disciplines. These include Renewable Energy technology, Polling on Cap & Trade, biometric identification technology for high security applications, the original auto show (WXYZ-AM radio), and citizen based Air Combat training (the Detroit News) and others. He has written for industry magazines and credits published photos and technical drawings with various media. Most recently he submitted technical drawings to BP to assist in capping the Gulf Oil disaster.
Gerry has been a speaker at various trade shows and is occasionally called upon to speak about a variety of emerging technologies. He writes a technology blog as part of the USREA.org web site.
[top of page]
.
|
