 |
Governor Dannel P. Malloy
State of Connecticut Dannel Patrick Malloy, the youngest of eight children, was born in Stamford, Connecticut on July 21, 1955. Growing up, he struggled to overcome learning and physical disabilities, eventually gaining the skills he needed to go on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Boston College and continue on to Boston College Law School. In 1982, Governor Malloy married his wife, Cathy, whom he met while at Boston College. Governor Malloy became a prosecutor in Brooklyn, New York, serving for four years as an Assistant District Attorney where he won 22 convictions in 23 felony cases--four of them homicides. Returning home to Stamford, he served on the Boards of Finance and Education before running for Mayor and winning in a landslide victory in 1995. Governor Malloy was Stamford's longest serving Mayor, serving for 14 years from 1995 to 2009. Under his leadership, Stamford underwent a drastic transformation and became one of the country's top ten most livable cities, according to Forbes magazine. He brought nearly 5,000 new jobs to the city, led the fight for more affordable housing, championed transportation efforts such as the Stamford Urban Transitway, and helped to reduce the crime rate by 60 percent. He also implemented the first city-wide pre-kindergarten program, ensuring all four year olds could attend school regardless of their parents' financial situation. On November 2, 2010, Dannel P. Malloy was elected the 88th Governor of the State of Connecticut and the first governor to have been elected under the state's clean elections program. He is committed to strengthening the state's economy, growing Connecticut businesses, and bringing jobs back to cities and towns. Governor Malloy is a former trustee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a former President of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and a former member of the Stamford Cultural Development Organization. |
 |
Catherine Smith
DECD Commissioner, State of Connecticut Catherine Smith is the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the lead state agency responsible for attracting and retaining businesses and jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods and communities, expanding affordable housing opportunities and fostering appropriate development in Connecticut’s towns and cities. Governor Dannel P. Malloy appointed her to the position in April 2011. Commissioner Smith’s top economic development priorities are to strengthen the state’s efforts to nurture and drive innovation; effectively promote and market the state’s many business advantages within Connecticut and beyond its borders; and place a renewed emphasis on all aspects of customer service in order to make the state more business-friendly and attractive for investment. Her community and housing development priorities include increasing the supply of affordable housing while also preserving the quality and affordability of existing units, improving the state’s ability to redevelop brownfields, and continuing the state’s commitment to responsible growth and transit-oriented development. The commissioner will forge new, closer working relationships with other state agencies and private sector partners to realize these objectives and to maximize the return on state investments. Prior to joining DECD, Commissioner Smith had a distinguished career in the insurance and financial services industry. She began her career at Aetna in 1983 and held various management positions, including chief financial officer for Aetna Financial Services. Later at ING she served in numerous leadership positions including chief operating officer for ING U.S. Financial Services, president of Health, Education and Government Distribution, and CEO of the U.S. Insurance businesses. In 2008 Smith was named CEO of ING U.S. Retirement Services, one of the largest defined contribution plan managers in the United States with more than $280 billion in assets under management and administration. Smith graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and received a Master’s degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Management in New Haven, Connecticut. Smith has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences and in the media and has been recognized by U.S. Banker magazine’s “Top 25 Most Powerful Nonbank Women in Finance” and the The 401kWire “100 Most Influential People in Defined Contribution.” Smith is the Vice Chair of Outward Bound, USA. |
 |
Clara Asmail
Senior Technical Advisor NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership Clara is responsible for developing approaches to provide small R&D and manufacturing businesses with the services and access to resources that can help them grow and improve their productivity. She works closely with federal SBIR programs and their awardees to cultivate partnerships with the MEP network in order to enhance the commercialization of SBIR research results. Prior to this, Clara managed the NIST SBIR Program since 2001. She was also responsible for marketing NIST technologies. In those roles she proposed, designed and implemented an innovative NIST-wide Technology Transfer program facilitating the transfer of federal technology to industry by leveraging the SBIR Program for seed funding along with access to federal research assets. This SBIR TT approach is currently being implemented and/or considered by several other agencies. As a CRADA and Licensing Officer at NIST from 1998 to 2002, Clara executed a dozen licenses, more than 50 CRADAs and conducted more than 30 commercialization assessments on inventions disclosed from the NIST Labs. Previously, Clara was Project Leader for Optical Scatterometry research in the Physics Laboratory in NIST. She published 19 peer reviewed articles and established BRDF metrology competency at NIST. She was actively involved in standards committees work in her area of research, cooperating with Sematech, ASTM, ISO and other federal agencies. Clara patented a measurement methodology which was licensed by NIST to a small company that was later bought by a large corporation – that license holds the record for longevity and royalty revenue at NIST. Clara holds two M.S. degrees, one in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona and the other in Physics from Tulane University, and a B.S. in Physics from Fordham University. | |
|
|
Donald L. Borod
Partner
McCarter & English, LLP Mr. Borod has experience representing manufacturing and technology companies, as well as financial institutions and other businesses, in connection with their domestic business activities in the United States and their international business activities in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
He is experienced in numerous areas including international and domestic, general corporate, mergers and acquisitions, sales and supply agreements, distributors and sales representatives, technology transfers, joint ventures and other strategic alliances, and establishing foreign operations. He has also represented several foreign companies in connection with their activities in the United States.
Mr. Borod is a fomer Chairman of the Section of International Law of The CT Bar Association. He is a board member of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce CT District Export Council, the UCONN Center for International Business Education and Research, the Executive Committe of the Board of the World Affairs Council of CT, and he is a former member of the adjunct faculty of the the UCONN School of Business.
Mr. Borod holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Columbia University of Law as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He practices law in New York and Connecticut, and is a member of the American Bar Association. | |
 |
Ben Brierley Ben Brierley is a vice consul for UK Trade & Investment at the British Consulate-General in New York. In his role with UK Trade & Investment, the foreign commercial arm of the UK government, Brierley supports US companies with their UK expansion planning, and also serves as a consultant for British companies as they develop their overseas strategies. Prior to assuming his current role with UK Trade & Investment, Brierley served as a principal specialist at Natural England, an agency of the British Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs, from 2008 to 2011. In this capacity, Brierley managed Natural England’s intra-governmental relationships, strengthening delivery through partnership and stakeholder relations. Brierley also worked as a senior policy advisor for the Institution of Engineering and Technology from 2005 to 2008 developing domestic policy positions to increase the level of skill and innovation within the UK economy. Prior to this, his focus was information security policy and public affairs campaigns for Intellect, a leading British technology trade association from 2002 to 2005. Brierley holds a bachelor’s degree in politics and government from the University of Kent and a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Bristol. A native of southwest England, he holds dual-citizenship with the UK and the US. In his spare time, he enjoys rowing crew on the Harlem River and exploring the United States. | |
 |
Aileen Crowe Nandi San Jose Export Assistance Center Ms. Aileen Crowe Nandi has been with the San Jose Export Assistance Center since August 2011, where she helps U.S. companies to enter the Indian market, specifically digital media and cloud computing. Her most recent assignment was Chennai, India, advocating for U.S. commercial interests and organizing trade promotion activities, including ground-breaking trade missions for energy efficiency, franchising and cosmetics companies. She has served as Principal Commercial Officer for four South India states, and in Calcutta, was the first-ever Principal Commercial Officer at post. As a Commercial Officer in Mexico City she received awards for her trade promotion from both the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State. Before joining the U.S. Commercial Service, she worked for 4 years as a Country Manager with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency for Central/Eastern Europe. Ms. Nandi holds an MA from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and a BA in economics and international studies from the University of Richmond in Virginia. She was also a Fulbright Scholar to Dresden, Germany. | |
 |
Bonnie Del Conte
President and Center Director CONNSTEP Bonnie Del Conte, CPA has been the president and center director of CONNSTEP since 2006. She brought more than twenty years of successful corporate leadership to CONNSTEP and has held executive management positions for start-up, mid-size and large companies. She has extensive operating experience in managing service, manufacturing and technology companies, with emphasis in financial management and business planning. Ms. Del Conte’s senior executive positions include Chief Financial Officer at ISR, Inc., a consulting and solutions technology company, where she manages the due diligence process for acquisition of the company on behalf of the shareholders. She managed all negotiations from the offer stage to the completed transfer of corporate assets, and acted as direct liaison with corporate stakeholders and outside accountants. She also held a senior position at VSM and Company, P.C., a mid-size CPA firm specializing in financial statement assurance, management advisory services and sophisticated tax planning. A Magna cum Laude graduate of Central Connecticut State University, Ms. Del Conte is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Connecticut Society of CPAs. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Bristol historical Society, is a member of the Connecticut Energy Consortium and serves on the team dor the CT Innovation Ecosystem and the National Governors Association 2012 initiative on strategy to grow advanced manufacturing. In March of 2011, Ms. Del Conte was selected as one of the “Eight Remarkable Women” by Hartford Business Journal’s Women in Business Awards. | |
|
|
Dr. Doug Deason Dr. Douglas Deason leads the Advanced Research Directorate at the Missile Defense Agency with responsibility for the SBIR/STTR Program and University and international research. In this role he executes the Agency’s vision for development of enhanced capabilities for the Ballistic Missile Defense System. During his varied career he has worked for both small and large businesses, consulting firms, a research institution and the Department of Defense. | |
|
|
Svetlana Dimovski, PhD Svetlana Dimovski is Manager of Open Innovation and Science Relationships at BASF North America. BASF Open Innovation team is focused on creating pathways, processes and organizational structures that facilitate innovation partnerships with BASF. Svetlana holds BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, and PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, USA. | |
 |
Bruce Drossman Export Finance Manager New York City, U.S. Export-Import Bank Bruce Drossman is an Export Finance Manager at the Export-Import Bank of the United States, working from Ex-Im Bank's Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Office in New York City. He provides Ex-Im Bank program assistance to small business exporters located between his home in northern New Jersey and Maine. Bruce joined Ex-Im Bank in late 2009 following a 26-year banking career in New York and Paris. His experience took him from the Irving Trust Company to Societe Generale, first as a relationship manager generating business with U.S. multinationals and later as Director of Societe Generale Corporate & Investement Bank's U.S. export finance team. There, he originated, structured, negotiated, and executed term financings of equipment and services exports from the U.S. to emerging markets buyers, often with the support of Ex-Im Bank guarantees. Bruce completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers University, and earned graduate degrees from SUNY-Albany and Columbia University's School of International & Public Affairs. | |
 |
Cynthia Duncan Senior Vice President Carnet and Trade Services Cynthia Duncan became head of USCIB’s Trade Services in 2012 when eCertifcates of Origin was launched as a USCIB product and the International Bookstore was added to her department. Previously, Ms. Duncan was responsible for ATA Carnet national operations, marketing and sales. She supervises a headquarters staff of documentation, marketing and claims processing specialists as well as a national network of Carnet service providers. Ms. Duncan is Deputy Chair of the World ATA Carnet Council, based in Paris, a member of the New York District Export Council and the Steering Committee of World Trade Week in New York City. She previously served in a number of other capacities at USCIB, including as vice president for membership. Ms. Duncan served as NY Programming Committee Member on the Organization of Women in International Trade New York chapter’s board of directors from 2009 until 2012. She is still an active member of the organization. Ms. Duncan holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia and an MBA from Pace University in New York City, and has studied at the University of Grenoble, France. | |
 |
Ann Eskesen
Founding President Innovation Development Institute, SBIR implementation Ann Eskesen is recognized as among the leading experts nationally on effective functioning and usage of the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and, as part of the small group that created SBIR, a longtime advocate for this important small business, technology, business and economic development resource. A dynamic and well-informed public speaker, her almost unparalleled SBIR knowledge is fundamentally grounded in considerable expertise in the complex task of bringing technology from the lab to the marketplace. That experience is now targeted specifically towards the full and effective drawdown of the value created by SBIR-involved small firms.The flagship activity by which that is achieved is the ASSET system – Access SBIR-STTR Scientific and Engineering Talent system - a sophisticated, needs-driven, market-pull technique functioning primarily to support the systematic engagement by interested Major/Mid-sized Corporations of the specific skills sets and capabilities that they need from within the collectivity that is SBIR awardees. This sophisticated system of identification, introduction and support has initiated and enabled a large number of viable and effective working relationships between SBIR-STTR awardees and larger corporations in their role as Tech Seekers – at this point, involving some 50-60 firms across a full range of industry segments. In its first two-three years of effective functioning, components of the ASSET system have generated over $200M in related business endeavor to those involved. Achieved deals have included collaborative effort, extensive in- and out-licensing, multiple contract R&D relationships, joint venture, some equity participation, several asset transactions and a few acquisitions. Importantly, by focusing to skill sets and capabilities and the underpinning functionalities of the technologies required – versus showcasing what the small firm is itself about - the system has introduced many players whose paths may not ordinarily have crossed and which almost certainly may not have even thought of common interest. Anchored in the comprehensive, in-depth relational databases privately developed and managed by idi, documenting in exquisite detail the business condition, technology competencies and intellectual assets of every SBIR-STTR awardee past and present - now over 20,500 firms – sophisticated tools have been developed fully to mine and engage those systems. These include custom parsers, a proprietary technical thesaurus, a precision-sourcing system and a smart-contact capability enabling custom email to specific awardees re. specific collaboration opportunities. The means of delivery – getting the right small firms talking to the right Tech Seeking decisions-makers - are strictly by-invitation. They include face-to-face events (Forums, …focused and Brains Trusts) and, more recently, what can be understood as a private-sector funded version of SBIR (iP3). Under development - a relatively new focus for the firm, but very important in present economic conditions and post-SBIR reauthorization – is a system to provide the SBIR community access-to-cash and revenue generating alternatives to sustain and support business operations. | |
 |
Anne S. Evans
District Director
Connecticut native Anne Evans was appointed in January 2008 as the District Director of the US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration District Office in Middletown, Connecticut. As Director she leads a team of trade specialists and export finance professionals in assisting over 2,500 Connecticut companies export and attract overseas customers to their businesses. Since her appointment as Director she has led business development trade missions to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America which included three trade missions with Congressional members.
In her over 30 years in private industry she was the third generation in her family’s Middletown, Connecticut tire business, expanding the business from a Main Street tire retailer to a global tire recycler. She was the Chief Executive of EER Limited, an international waste tire management company specializing in US military and government waste tires. She was also President of TYRES 2000 Limited, an international tire trader and reseller. Her experience in the tire industry began in 1978. It includes retailing, wholesaling, retreading, importing, exporting, waste tire collection, waste tire recycling, thermal recovery project development and management, consulting, and servicing as an expert witness in US courts. | |
|
|
Dennis Fortner
Sr. Manager of Intellectual Property and Strategic Technology Agreements Northrop Grumman Dennis Fortner is a Sr Manager of Intellectual Property and Strategic Technology Agreements working for the Advanced Concepts & Technologies Division of Northrop Grumman Corporation located in Baltimore, Maryland. He has held this position for the past 8 years which entails seeking, capturing and acquiring rights to key Intellectual Property for Northrop which could come from sources such as Universities, Labs or Small Businesses. He works with a dedicated list of Universities conducting Sponsored Research Projects, Gov’t Labs, Incubator/Accelerators and the Small Business Innovation Research community. He has helped support the launch of the company’s Open Innovation Strategy leading to a number of new technology ventures, collaborations and strategic technology partnerships offering Northrop a technology leadership position on future development programs key to the company. More recently he has engaged with a number of his counterparts at other Prime Contractors to assist in the formulation of a new Primes Consortium seeking to help advise the government on promising SBIR firms of interest for Commercialization. Prior to Northrop Grumman he worked for a VC in the Intellectual Property business engaged in seeking out and acquiring novel technologies from a multitude of Research sources to build select technology portfolios prior to them being offered as new technology solutions to select LargeCo’s. And prior to this he has held positions with two mid size companies in the Aerospace & Defense field in roles of New Ventures Manager, IR&D Business Development and Engineering positions. He holds a Bachelor of Technology (BT) from New York Institute of Technology and a Masters of Science in Technology Management (MSM) from New York Polytechnic Institute, has two recent college grads and resides in New York and Maryland. | |
 |
John C Fusco
Partner Shipman & Goodwin John C. Fusco practices primarily in the areas of U.S. government contracting, international trade and export compliance (including U.S. economic sanctions), export controls and licensing and U.S. Customs and trade laws. He routinely advises clients on compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) as well as the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). John assists clients with issues before the Departments of Commerce and State on export on export control matters, and before U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) designations, customs seizures and tariffs. He assists in all areas of international trade, including the establishment of corporate distribution channels and corporate presence in foreign countries through either representative joint venture agreements or wholly-owned foreign enterprises. In addition, John practices in the areas of commercial and resiential real estate and business litigation. | |
 |
Ross Garber Partner Shipman & Goodwin LLP Ross Garber co-chairs his firm's Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense Team. His practice focuses on representing corporations and individuals in high-stakes matters, particularly those that involve law enforcement agencies, regulators or legislative bodies. He has represented many companies and individuals in investigations by the Department of Justice, the SEC, the FTC, FINRA, state attorneys general, state securities, banking and insurance regulators, and Congress. Ross has significant legal experience in a variety of industries in both the public and private sectors, in internal investigations, litigation, and training, is a contributing author of the book Ethical Standards, is the former chief counsel to two governors of Connecticut and has served as chair of the Connecticut Judicial Review Council. | |
 |
|
Dr. Dave Ghosh
Director of R & D National Research Council of Canada Energy, Mining & Environment Dr. Dave Ghosh joined the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in September of 2002 as the Director of Science and Technology. He leads a team of over 85 researchers and engineers working in Clean Energy Technologies, such as Fuel Cells (PEMFC, SOFC, etc.), Hydrogen technologies, batteries, Bio energy, etc., for transportation & stationary applications. Before joining the NRC, Dave was Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Calgary-based Global Thermoelectric Inc. (presently Versa Power Systems) where he helped turn the company into one of the world’s leading developer of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems. He was previously the head of the Manufacturing Technologies Department at the Alberta Research Council where he led a team to develop and cemmercialize materials technologies for industry. Dave has held industrial R&D positions in Japan, Brazil and Canada. Dave has a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada and a B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-B), Bombay. He has published over 60 technical papers and has co-authored over 11 patents granted or pending. |
|
|
Jere W. Glover Jere is an attorney with the Brand Law Group in Washington, DC representing small businesses on SBIR related issues. Jere Glover also serves as the Executive Director of the Small Business Technology Council (SBTC), a group of small high tech companies most of who are involved in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Jere is currently on the board of Homeland Ventures Partners. In 2006 Jere was selected as SBIR Man of the Year. | |
|
|
Molly Griffin
Managing Member
Griffin Global Outreach LLC, The Spectrum Group Molly Griffin is a registered lobbyist with over 20 years of experience successfully designing and implementing strategies achieving corporate objectives through the federal legislative process. She has represented dozens of organizations ranging in size from emerging small business to middle market innovators to Fortune 500 global concerns, including most of the largest U.S. defense contractors. Molly's efforts have facilitated substantial new and/or repeat government business annually for clients and have prompted government action to remove obstacles to business.
Molly served on Captiol Hill as a legislative specialist on defense to former U.S. Representative H. Martin Lancaster, supporting his position as a member of the House Armed Services Committee for five years. An advisor on all defense and foreign policy issues, she specialized in programs and policy related to weapons research and development, combat readiness, maintenance and repair depots, military base closures, quality of life programs for military personnel, and chemical weapons arms control and destruction.
Molly is also part owner of a small business that commercialized technology developed by a U.S. national lab and now designs and sells products and R&D customization services to the U.S. military and other government customers, foreign and domestic. In this capacity, she has excelled at business development, strategic planning and partnering, program and contract management, and government customer liaison. Molly's experience as a small business government contractor affords her particular insight into the needs and challenges of other small businesses and government contractors whose interests she represents to the U.S. Congress. | |
|
|
Jane Goldsmith Manager of Proposals Sonalysts, Inc. Jane Goldsmith is the Manager of Proposals for Sonalysts, Inc., an employee-owned, multidisciplinary company in Waterford, CT. She has coordinated and co-authored approximately 250 Government and commercial proposals annually for Sonalysts’ 20 offices since 1987. Her efforts with Department of Defense Small Business Innovative Research proposals have resulted in 58 Phase I, 25 Phase II, and 4 Phase III awards for Sonalysts and earned her the recognition as a Finalist in the 2007 CT Women of Innovation program. A recognized expert, she conducts proposal-writing workshops on winning strategies for successful SBIRs. Jane is also the Sonalysts Corporate Spokesperson and an active community leader for several charitable organizations. | |
|
|
Melissa A. Grosso
Senior International Trade Specialist, Connecticut
U.S. Department of Commerce Melissa Grosso is a Senior International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce's Export Assistance Center in Middletown, CT. Ms. Grosso assists Connecticut firms develop effective export strategies for entry into new markets. Ms. Grosso is a core team member of the U.S. DOC's Aerospace and Defense Team whereby she analyzes developments in the aerospace and defense industry to support a strong local client base in this sector. She has also led several trade missions to various worldwide aerospace and defense events. Melissa has completed official government assignments in Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Thailand, the U.S. Mission to the European Union (Brussels, Belgium), Hungary and the Czech Republic during which time she helped carry out the various missions of each office. Melissa has an Executive Certificate in International Marketing from Thunderbird University's Garvin School of Internatinal management. She graduated summa cum laude from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in New Haven, CT, with a double Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and English, a concentration in Italian Studies, and is a graduate of SCSU's Honors College. Melissa has also completed coursework at Lorenzo de'Medici University in Florence, Italy. She has many interests in the international arena and has spend time living abroad. | |
 |
Mary Ellen Guerrlich Sales Manager International Sales Group Mary Ellen is a part of the International Sales Group of Reed Exhibitions. The International Sales Group (ISG), a division of Reed Exhibitions, assists U.S. small and midsized companies in building their export business via international trade shows. Mary Ellen has worked in Aerospace and Aviation Industry for 18 years and 12 years with Reed Managing a portfolio of events covering Commercial, Business Aviation, Helicopter and Airport sectors within Asia Pacific, Middle East, Brazil and European markets. Mary Ellen continued her career with Reed working in several other Industries such as Oil & Gas, Travel & Tourism, TV and Broadcasting events with a continued focus on helping U.S. companies build their export business. She hashelped more than 100 U.S. companies and manufactures access new markets via Reed’s portfolio of international events. Additionally she has developed relationships with associations and partners including the U.S. Commercial Services, International Trade Administration, Economic Development Organization, all with the goal of helping U.S. OEM’s and suppliers showcase their products and build their export business. | |
 |
Charles E. (Chuck) Hewett, Ph.D. Dr. Hewett serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Jackson Laboratory and General Manager of JAX® Mice & Services, the organization’s nonprofit research resources and services business. Hewett has been with the Laboratory since early 2004. During his tenure, he has overseen the launch of numerous research products and services, modernization of mouse production facilities and completion of new research laboratories in Bar Harbor, Maine, and the relocation and expansion of the Laboratory’s California operation. Surplus generated by the mouse and services business has more than quintupled during this period while revenues have grown several fold. In addition to his ongoing activities, Hewett led the Laboratory’s efforts to develop The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine and secured the State of Connecticut’s agreement to provide $291 million and 17 acres of land for its | |
|
|
Ed Jameson
Partner and CEO
Jameson & Company, CPAs Ed is a nationally recognized expert in numerous government funding programs including the SBIR program, and has given presentations and workshops to audiences at The National SBIR Conference, The Principal Investigators Association, The Larta Institute, and many Tech Incubators and Ed has helped clients secure billions of dollars in government grants and contracts. He has extensive experience in the indirect rate recovery process and has settled hundreds of incurred cost submissions. In addition to overseeing all client relationships, Ed consults on cost recovery, strategic and tactical management issues, and contract and grant cost procurement. A longtime member of Rotary International, Ed served as the president of the Burlington Rotary Club and was given the Paul Harris Fellow Award for service above self. Ed leads a group of church volunteers each month to prepare dinner and serve approximately 300 men at the Pine Street Inn, a | |
 |
John P. Joyce
SBA Export Finance Manager
New England Region
US Export Assistance Center Boston, MA
John Joyce represents the Small Business Administration (SBA) at the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Boston, a position he has held since the inception of the Boston USEAC in 1995. He is responsible for directing SBA's international trade assistance program in the six New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. As a member of the U.S. Export Assistance Center, John adds export finance assistance to the extensive export marketing programs offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Previous to joining SBA, John served as an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce and worked in international sales and marketing for several corporations including three years working in Europe. A native of the Boston area, John is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and holds an M.B.A. from the Boston University Graduate School of Management. | |
 |
Tina Kaarsberg Tina Kaarsberg has more than 20 years of experience in research and development of energy technologies as well as 8 years of fundamental physics research. She started her energy R&D career as an APS Congressional Science Fellow for Senator Domenici working on the Energy Policy Act of 1992. She also worked for House Science Chairman Boehlert during EPACT 2005 negotiations. In between she worked for DOE in the Office of Power Technologies leading the Distributed Energy Resources Team that later became OE and then serving as Hydropower team leader. Since returning to DOE she has worked in a variety of positions including Acting Director of International Markets, Technology Analysis, Geothermal program team leader, Lighting Standards Team Leader and now leading EERE’s SBIR/STTR and related efforts. Besides the federal experience, she also worked for Sandia National Laboratories, Vista Technologies Inc., the American Physical Society and the Northeast-Midwest Institute. Prior to coming to Washington DC, she was a member of the UCLA Physics Department faculty. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in physics from Yale, a master’s from Stony Brook University as well as a PhD. in Physics while a visiting fellow at Cornell University. Tina also is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and served three years as the chair of the Energy and Environment Committee of APS’s Panel on Public Affairs. | |
 |
Charles F. Kahle, II Charles F. Kahle is chief technology officer and vice president, coatings research and development for PPG Industries, with responsibility for science & technology globally. He began his career with PPG in 1987 as a research chemist at Allison Park. He progressed through several research assignments until 1998 when he was appointed associate director for R&D for silica products. He was appointed associate director R&D for OEM glass in 2002 and director, research coatings & resins in 2004. In 2007, he was appointed vice president coatings R&D, and in 2008 assumed the additional role of chief technology officer. Kahle earned a BS degree in chemistry from Bowling Green State University, and a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Industrial Research Institute, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is a board member of the Carnegie Science Center and chairs the advisory board for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. Kahle is named in 20 U.S. patents. | |
 |
Michael K. Kinney, Esp
Intellectual Property Attorney
Michaud-Kinney Group, LLP Michael Kinney concentrates his intellectual property practice in all areas of patent and trademark law. He has experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in technical fields including cellular and satellite communications systems, computers, data processing and information systems, consumer products display systems, software, the Internet and precision mechanical and electro-mechanical devices such as laser and imaging systems as well as digital and analog timepieces. He has extensive computer hardware and software experience including a computer science and engineering educational background as well as eleven years in industry as a programmer of engineering, production control and manufacturing systems. He is familiar with numerous programming languages and hardware platforms. He was formerly an intellectual property attorney with Wiggin and Dana. Education:
Quinnipiac University School of Law - Juris Doctor University of Connecticut - Bachelor’s of Science – Computer Science and Engineering U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Bar of the State of Connecticut | |
 |
Michael Kurek, Ph.D. Partner BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting, LLC Trained as a molecular biologist, Dr. Kurek spent six years doing basic research in gene cloning, immunology and virology before moving to industry. During his 30 year career he’s held management positions in marketing, sales, and business development for a number of life science companies, including Millipore Corporation, Repligen Corporation, BioPolymers, Inc., Gene Codes Corporation, and Genomic Solutions Inc. Two of the companies completed successful IPOs. Dr. Kurek holds degrees from Boston College (BS, Biology), Florida State University (Ph.D., Genetics) and Boston University (MBA). | |
 |
Claire R. Leonardi Claire joined Connecticut Innovations in March 2012. She manages CI’s array of initiatives, including its venture capital investments, laboratory infrastructure fund, SBIR Office, and startup assistance initiatives. Additionally, she oversees administration of the Connecticut Stem Cell Research Fund, Jackson Labs investment, and Angel Investor Tax Credit Program. Claire is a veteran investment and venture capital executive with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining CI, she was assisting startup and growing companies, as well as nonprofits, in upstate New York, advising them on capital structure and funding, strategic planning, and performance improvement. Earlier, she held senior positions with Fairview Capital L.P., a private equity fund-of-funds, Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Co., and Crossroads Capital, one of the largest private equity fund-of-fund managers in the U.S. In addition, Claire brings to CI a wealth of experience from her affiliations with various boards. Most notable have been her contributions serving as chair of the University of Connecticut Health Center Board of Directors and vice chair of the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees. She currently serves on the boards of the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Fund of Funds Trusts. Claire earned a Master of Business Administration degree from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a dual major in business administration and economics, from Rutgers University. | |
 |
Kafryn W. Lieder, Ph.D. Founder The Well-Tempered Word, LLC Kafryn W. Lieder received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry (minor: organic chemistry) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed post-doctoral research at UW-Madison’s Pharmacy Department. She has been providing scientific and technical writing and editing services to companies and individuals since 2003 and has more than 30 years of technical writing experience in the life sciences and law. Kafryn specializes in working with biotech and high-tech startup and small businesses, and has worked with more than 60 small businesses. They have been awarded more than $30,000,000 in grant and contract funding. She has extensive experience with all aspects of the Federal grant (SBIR/STTR) application and review processes, including electronic submission requirements and agency-specific systems. Her services include project management, drafting and editing assistance, finding other specialists (e.g., graphic designers and desktop publishers), and assisting with various details of preparing, submitting, and managing proposals and grants/contracts. Kafryn is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) of the National Small Business Association (NSBA), BioForward (formerly Wisconsin Biotechnology & Medical Device Association: WBMDA), International Professionals, Inc., and Madison Area Business Consultants (MABC). | |
 |
Jean-Philippe Linteau Consul for Investment Canadian Consulate Mr. Linteau most recently served as Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Embassy in Washington from 2007 to 2011. He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1997 and was previously posted to South Korea and Malaysia as a Trade Commissioner helping Canadian businesses achieve commercial success in Asia. He also served as a political officer at the Canadian High Commission in Sri Lanka where he worked on post-tsunami reconstruction and the peace process. He also served as a consultant on federalism and power sharing in Sri Lanka. Mr. Linteau holds a Masters in Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. in agriculture from McGill University in Montreal. Prior to joining the Canadian Government, Mr. Linteau managed an environmental NGO in Montreal. | |
 |
Robert E. Mansfield, Jr., Brig, Gen, USAF (Ret.)
Executive Director, Center for Aviation and Aerospace Leadership Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide Robert E. Mansfield, Jr., Brig, Gen, USAF (Ret.) is the Executive Director, Center for Aviation and Aerospace Leadership at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide. He has served as Director of Supply for the U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon, and led the creation of the fundamental transformation of the USAF supply system. He held numerous assignments both at home and abroad leading major Air Force and joint service logistics and staff management operations. He has been a squadron commander and commanded the Defense Department’s global military property reutilization and disposal operations. Mr. Mansfield served in a senior leadership role in the Lockheed-Martin Joint Strike Fighter program as the Director, Global Sustainment and later as the Director of Global Supply Chain Services for the LM Aeronautics Company. He was the Director of the National Center for Aerospace Leadership, and principal investigator of the National Aerospace Leadership Initiative funded by the U.S. Congress. Mr. Mansfield holds a Bachelor of Science degree (cum laude) from the University of Arizona in Business Administration, and a Master of Science degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Acquisition Logistics Management. He is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College Program Manager's Course, and the Air War College. He is certified in Acquisition Logistics Management (level III) and Program Management (level II), and is a fully qualified Joint Service Officer. Mr. Mansfield is a member of the Clarkson University Business School’s Board of Advisors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide Board of Advisors, and served on the Missile Defense Agency’s Transforming Defense Supply Chains Technical Advisory Board. Mr. Mansfield is also a member of the board of directors of the National Council for Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM). He was co-chair of the Michigan Governor’s BRAC Task Force in 2005. He was a member of the Defense Science Board 2006 Summer Study on 21st Century Strategic Technology Vectors. He has served on the Supply Chain Council's Aerospace and Defense Special Industry Group (SIG) and chaired the Supply Chain Risk SIG. He is currently the chairman of the Manufacturing Committee for the Aerospace States Association. Mr. Mansfield can be reached at Robert.Mansfield@erau.edu. | |
 |
Thomas E. Masters Manager, Strategy & Business Development Module Center & Operations - Pratt & Whitney Thomas (Tom) Masters, Manager, Pratt & Whitney Strategy & Development for Module Center & Operations is responsible for developing internal and external key strategies, bringing additive technologies to production, NGPF industrial planning and direct involvement in sourcing plans. Tom joined Pratt & Whitney in 1988 and possesses comprehensive operations, engineering, program and business management experience. He has held positions as an engineering manager, engine test manager, production manager, business center manager, facility manager and production cell leader. Tom received his MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his MS in Management and Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the Executive Masters Program. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hartford. Tom is married with three children, and he is involved in coaching many of their sporting activities. | |
 |
Kathy McAfee Founder
Marketing Motivator Kathy McAfee is America’s Marketing Motivator, a professional speaker and executive presentation coach whose mission is to help business leaders more effectively use their energy, influence and resources to create positive changes in the world. Her company, Kmc Brand Innovation, LLC, helps motivated executives and ambitious entrepreneurs to become the recognized leaders in their fields by mastering the art of high engagement presentations and more effective networking. She is the author of the book Networking Ahead for Business: The Best Vehicle to Get More Customers, Make More Friends and Create More Opportunities for Yourself and Others (Kiwi Publishing 2010) In her role as Executive Presentation Coach, she helps clients increase their confidence, credibility, and influence by reducing their PowerPoint clutter to better engage their audience and move them to action. A certified Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming or NLP and certified Blind Spots Profile Coach, Kathy helps her clients to clear their limiting beliefs and install more effective strategies to realize their full leadership potential through executive coaching. She is the co-founder of Power Up Your Professional Image™ a professional development event-based company that helps career-minded women get an edge in the workplace by polishing their image, bolstering their confidence and expanding their network. Over the past 20 years, Kathy has held numerous corporate leadership positions, bringing marketing success to the likes of Levi Strauss & Co., Maybelline, Southcorp Wines of Australia and ADVO, where she served as Vice President of Marketing Services. Living and working in England for three years, she led European marketing initiatives for an international vision care company. A graduate of Stanford University in Economics, Kathy is a member of the National Speakers Association, a board member for the YWCA of the Hartford Region and active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas.
| |
 |
Ali I. Mohamed, Division Director Dr. Ali Mohamed has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) since March 2007, and he currently serves as Director for the Division of Environmental Systems (DoES), Institute of Bioenergy, Climate and Environment. As division director, he provides coordination and oversight for the division's research, extension and education programs. In addition, the division manages the SBIR program and oversees the portfolio of applied research and development projects with special attention to the following topic areas: Animal Production and Protection; Aquaculture; Biofuels and Biobased Products; Food Science and Nutrition; Forests and Related Resources; Plant Production and Protection – Biology; Plant Production and Protection – Engineering; Rural and Community Development; Small and Mid-Size Farms; Soil and Water Resources. These programs are focusing on the mitigation of environmental impact of agriculture and improve the quality of our world. The national leadership of this division integrates research, education, and extension expertise to address contemporary environmental and natural resource problems with new approaches that are economically sound and environmentally advantageous. DoES conducts its programs primarily in partnership with land-grant university scientists and cooperative extension faculty and collaborate with other Federal agencies. | |
 |
John H. Mutchler PE, Esq
Intellectual Property Attorney, Michaud-Kinney Group LLC John H. Mutchler’s practice includes patent prosecution and reexamination, intellectual property licensing, U.S. government contracting, copyright and trademark consulting as well as patent, trademark and copyright litigation. He formerly held executive and senior management positions with Northeast Utilities, ABB, and Combustion Engineering with responsibility for energy-related technology and research and development. He has more than 25 years experience in energy generation including nuclear power, fuel cells and fossil power; environment issues and energy conservation; electro-mechanical devices; manufacturing, welding and metal fabrication; research and development; due diligence and portfolio management. Mr. Mutchler is an Adjunct Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and at the University of Hartford (College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture). Mr. Mutchler is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Mr. Mutchler has been admitted to the Bar of the State of Connecticut and is a Licensed Professional Engineer. Mr. Mutchler holds a Juris Doctorate from Quinnipiac University School of Law; a Master’s of Science in Metallurgy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a Master’s of Science in Engineering Management from Western New England College; and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Manhattan College. | |
 |
Donald G. Nay
Director, Atlanta U.S. Export Assistance Center
U.S. Commercial Service Don Nay is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and has returned to Atlanta after 21 years in March 2012 to become the Director for the Atlanta U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC), under the U.S. Department of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service, the federal government's front-line trade agency. The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) promotes U.S. exports, opens foreign markets to American products and protects U.S. commercial interests abroad.
Prior to this, Mr Nay served as the CS Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific overseeing operations in 13 countries staffed by more than 50 Foreign Commercial Service Officers and over 200 locally hired employees. The region is home to seven of America's top fifteen export markets.
Mr. Nay served from 2007 to 2011 as the Senior Commercial Officer in Vietnam, where he managed the Commercial Service operations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Nay's Vietnam posting followed a three-year tour as Deputy Senior Commercial Officer in New Delhi (2003-2006), where he had operational responsibility for seven commercial representations in India, the Commercial Service's most extensive presence in any country. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Nay covered Southern India from the U.S. Consulate in Chennai as Principal Commercial Officer (1999-2003).
Mr. Nay was the Director of the Ronald H. Brown Commercial Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, which was dedicated by President Clinton and the First lady in March 1998. Mr. Nay also served as Commercial Attache at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague (1991-1995).
Mr. Nay joined the Commercial Service in 1985 and served as a Trade Specialist with the San Francisco and Atlanta District Offices.
He also served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines (1978-1980) and worked with the U.S. Indochinese Refugee Program based in the Philippines (1980-1982).
Mr. Nay earned a BA from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
| |
 |
Ms. Susan Nichols Ms. Nichols started her 23-year career with the Department of Defense at the US Army Corps of Engineers where she held a variety of positions in budget, program analysis and program management from 1988 until 2004. She served as the US Army SBIR Program Manager at the US Army Materiel Command from 2004-2008, where she developed and successfully implemented several program and system modernization initiatives. She is currently serving as Program Director, DARPA Small Business Programs Office, SBIR/STTR Program Manager. Her activities are focused on managing programs that provide small, high-tech businesses and academic institutions the opportunity to propose radical, innovative, high-risk approaches to address existing and emerging national security threats; thereby supporting DARPA’s unique mission to create and prevent strategic surprise for our adversaries. Ms. Nichols has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Computer Information Systems from Park University. | |
 |
Christopher O’Gwin Program Manager, SBIR/STTR U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Chris serves, among other duties, as the DOE SBIR Commercialization Assistance program manager. In this capacity, he provides the overall direction and leadership for all programmatic aspects of the Department’s SBIR commercialization and technical assistance program and on matters concerning overall program operations, outreach, and legislative issues impacting both the SBIR and STTR programs. Chris has worked for the Department for many years, holding positions of leadership in both management and technical organizations. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and Economics from Longwood University and a Master of Science in Government from the Johns Hopkins University. | |
 |
Alakh Prasad President and CEO Quadrogen Power Systems, Inc. | |
 |
Dr. Matthew Portnoy, Ph.D. Dr. Matthew Portnoy is the NIH SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator and Director, Division of Special Programs, Office of Extramural Programs, Office of Extramural Research, NIH. In this role, he manages the SBIR/STTR programs at NIH and coordinates the 24 NIH Institutes/Centers that receive funding for the programs. Matt received his B.S. in molecular and cell biology from Penn State University. He received his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. Matt then joined the Intramural Program of National Human Genome Research Institute as a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Eric Green. Dr. Portnoy made the leap to the extramural side of NIH in 2005 and joined the National Institute of General Medical Sciences as a program director. Over his time at NIGMS, he managed R01 grant portfolios in DNA repair, recombination and replication, SBIR/STTR grants, F32 post-doctoral fellowships, cooperative agreements, R25 education grants. Dr. Portnoy also served as SBIR/STTR program lead for NIGMS for nearly 6 years prior to his current post. | |
 |
Dr. Kees W. Rietsema, Col, USAF. (ret.)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide Dr. Rietsema is an Air Force veteran with an extensive background in aviation as well as management and education. He is a 1973 honors graduate of the USAF Academy, where he majored in Political Science and International Affairs. Dr. Rietsema received his MBA from Golden Gate University, a Masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle University and his doctorate in Organization and Management from Capella University. Also, Dr. Rietsema is a graduate of the Indian National Defense College, New Delhi, India Dr. Rietsema’s Air Force career spanned twenty one years of active duty and included assignments as a Fighter Group Commander, leading the largest operational F-16 Fighter Wing in the USAF. Since his retirement from the USAF, Dr. Rietsema has flown as a commercial airline pilot, served as Chief Pilot for a corporate flight department, owned a building business, consulted for private corporations, and worked as COO for an entrepreneurial financial services company. Additionally, Dr. Rietsema has been involved in education as a collegiate marketing executive, faculty chair, program chair, department chair and online and classroom professor in the fields of management, aviation, leadership and organizational behavior. His research interests lie in leadership and the implementation of innovation and organizational change. He is also a certified and practicing Life Coach. Dr. Rietsema is a full time faculty member of ERAU Worldwide and currently serves as the Department Chair, Department of Business Administration. He is a founding member of the ERAU Worldwide’s Center for Aviation and Aerospace Leadership and resides with his wife Liz, an airline pilot for Southwest Airlines in Phoenix, Arizona. | |
 |
Joel M. Rinebold Mr. Rinebold is associated with the development energy projects and energy planning initiatives in the region. At the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), a federally-supported program established to strengthen technology-led economic competitiveness, Mr. Rinebold is Director of Energy Initiatives with a focus on energy and infrastructure planning, the development of renewable and advanced energy technology, and strategic industry support. Mr. Rinebold was instrumental in establishing the Connecticut Hydrogen Fuel Cell Coalition and the Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster. Mr. Rinebold is also engaged in several development initiatives for energy facility siting, advancement of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, and the establishment of renewable energy facilities using agricultural biomass and wind. | |
 |
Deb Santy
Director, Connecticut Small Business Innovation Office
Connecticut Innovations Deb is the State Program Director for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. She brings over 20 years of executive experience leading startups, business change, business management, technology integration, and project management for the largest insurance companies in the United States. This year Deb's efforts with the Connecticut legislative sessions helped secure $4 million to support and fund many of the state's small technology firms, including SBIR winners. Deb was honored with the "Tibbetts Award," a national honor given to those who are judged to exemplify the very best in SBIR achievements. She was a winner this year in the state's "Women of Innovation" award -- in the leadership category.
While teaching at the Florida Institute of Technology, she authored a workbook, used by the SBA, for developing business plans entitled: Business Succe$$ - Plan On It! Deb is a graduate of Elmira College and has an MBA from the University of Hartford. She has sat on several boards, including the Ronald McDonald Charities Board.
| |
 |
Anthony M Sargis
International Trade Specialist
Connecticut U.S. Department of Commerce Anthony M. Sargis is an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, Middletown, Connecticut. In this capacity, he works with small and medium sized companies to assist them in developing and achieving their export strategies. Tony assists clients with market research, export counseling, trade advocacy, and business matchmaking. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor's Degree in History and Political Science. Additionally, Tony has served as a member of the United States Coast Guard since 2003.
| |
 |
Victoria Scarborough, PhD
External Technology/Open Innovations Program The Sherwin Williams Company Dr. Victoria Scarborough has been with The Sherwin-Williams Co. for over thirty years and currently directs the External Technology/Open Innovation program. This team is responsible for identifying technologies that address the global technical needs of the company by scouting outside the normal vendor channels. This includes universities, the technical marketplace, technology databanks, search agencies, venture capital groups, and adjacent consumer product industries. In her career at SW, Dr. Scarborough has served as the Director of New Technology for the Diversified Brands group, lead the R&D team for the Thompson’s ®Water Seal® brand and published and presented extensively on wood protection, water repellency and wood chemistry in addition to holding several patents in this area. Dr. Scarborough holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Tennessee. | |
 |
Rick Shindell President, Zyn Systems Rick Shindell is a long time SBIR advocate supporting small businesses, federal agencies, state outreach organizations, intermediaries and advocacy groups. Rick is perhaps best known for his hard hitting “SBIR Insider” newsletter which provides the SBIR community with news and critical information about the SBIR program, proposed legislation, successes, failures and controversies. His SBIR Insider is read by thousands including small businesses, state intermediaries and providers, federal program managers, and many congressional staffers. Rick also created and manages Zyn’s SBIR Gateway (www.zyn.com/sbir), a free cross-agency SBIR/STTR information web site serving over 5,000 users daily, who perform more than 45,000 SBIR topic searches per month across all agencies open SBIR/STTR topics. In the federal technology transfer field, Rick provides support to the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Far West and Mid-Continent regional networks, working with over 100 of the nation’s premier federal laboratories. Rick was recently honored by the National Small Business Association (NSBA) and the Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Small Business Innovation Advocacy. | |
 |
Phyl Speser, J.D., Ph.D., RTTP
CEO Foresight Science & Technology, Inc. Dr. Speser is a founder and CEO of Foresight Science & Technology, a company with operations in North America, South America, Europe, and beginning in August, Asia out of Singapore. He is the author of the best-selling textbook The Art and Science of Technology Transfer (John Wiley and Sons, 2006) and a frequent speaker on technology transfer, commercialization, high tech economic development, and science and technology policy. He has supported commercialization of technologies across the breadth of science & technology, working for major corporations, SMEs, universities, government agencies, foundations, research institutes around the globe. During his over 30 year career, he has taught Intellectual Property at the SUNY Buffalo Law School, Political Science at the Universität Mannheim (Germany) and SUNY Buffalo, and Archaeology at The American University in Washington, DC; been a multiple federal R&D award winner on projects involving artificial intelligence and other advanced methods applied to problems of transitioning and commercialization technology; and a lobbyist (Small Business Innovation Research, Small Business Technology Transfer Research, Stevenson-Wydler amendments, Archeological Resources Protection Act amendments, point on federal budget for the science community for 10 years, other legislation and related regulations). He also has been instrumental in the development of technology transfer programs such as the New York State Centers of Excellence as an advisor to Governor Hugh Carey. Dr. Speser is a member of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia, the Association of University Technology Managers (where he is a Vice President, member of the Board of Directors and on the Membership and Public Policy Committees), the Licensing Executives Society (where he is outgoing Chair, Strategic Alliance Committee), and a member of the Association of European Science and Technology Transfer Professionals and Praxis Unico. He served two terms on the Board of the Technology Transfer Society, and is a recipient of that Society's Certificate of Appreciation (1991). He also was Chairman of its Task Force on National Technology Transfer Policy (1989-1991), and received Best Paper, Annual Meeting (1987). He was a gubernatorial appointment to the Board of the Washington Technology Center from 1994 to 1997. His Ph.D. and J.D., cum laude, are from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he was in the first cohort of students awarded funding under the Baldy Joint Degree Program. His undergraduate degree in Political Science and Journalism is from Case Western Reserve University, where he was in the Undergraduate Scholars Program. He holds a Registered Technology Transfer Professional certification from the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals. He is a recipient of the Rhododendron Award from the Port Townsend School District for his work in science education, founder of the Northwest Natural Resources Group, a foundation supporting sustainable forestry, and sustainably manages his own redwood forest in Comptche, California. | |
 |
David Thomas
International Sales Executive, REED Exhibitions
David is an International Sales Executive for the International Sales Group of Reed Exhibitions. The International Sales Group (ISG), a division of Reed Exhibitions, assists U.S. small and midsized companies in building their export business via international trade shows. David received his B.S. in Business Management from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK and has been with Reed Exhibitions ISG since 2011. David is the North American representative for both the medical and automobile show portfolios. In addition David also manages North American sales for the China Personal Home Care Ingredients and China laboratory shows. Previous to Reed Exhibitions, David worked for Hearst Media Services providing cutting edge digital advertising to SMB. Additionally, he has developed strong relationships with associations and partners including the U.S. Commercial Service, State of California, Enterprise Florida, Mass MEDIC, MOITI and the Mass Life Sciences Center. Reed Exhibitions International Sales Group continually builds new relationships with state groups, government officials, trade associations and organizations to develop opportunities for thousands of companies throughout North America. Key industry sectors include: Aerospace & Aviation, Broadcasting, Building & Construction, Electronics, Energy, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Manufacturing, Environment, Food Service & Hospitality, Gifts, Healthcare, Interior Design, IT & Telecoms, Jewelry, Life Science & Pharmaceuticals, Machinery, Medical Education, Marine, Printing & Graphics, Property & Real Estate, Security & Safety, Sports & Recreation, and Travel. | |
 |
Jacqui Torcellini
International Trade Specialist, SBDC Working in the corporate world for many years as a manager and trainer Jacqui has mentored countless people on how to navigate rules and regulations. As the owner of a small business she is keenly aware of how challenging it can be to balance resources and priorities. Jacqui recently completed a master’s degree at Southern Connecticut State University in Political Science International Relations. Fusing her past business experience with her passion for international relations Jacqui is assisting New To Export clients with determining their export readiness and with the development of export plans. | |
|
|
Chris Van Buiten Chris Van Buiten is the Vice President of Sikorsky Innovations at Sikorsky Aircraft where he runs the Sikorsky Innovations group responsible for maturing next generation technologies and products. Current areas of focus include the Collier award winning X2, S-97 Raider program, as well as active rotor, fleet management and autonomy technology programs. Mr. Van Buiten joined Sikorsky in 1989 where he has been engaged in the conceptual and preliminary design of Sikorsky products including the S-92 commercial transport, CH-53K heavy lift helicopter, and UH-60M BLACK HAWK as well as several advanced concepts. He has served as Chief of Preliminary Design and Manager of Advanced Design and has led Sikorsky’s Strategic Planning group. Chris led Sikorsky’s acquisition of the PZL Mielec Aircraft Company in Mielec, Poland . He has also served as a Technical Fellow for Advanced System Design. | |
|
|
Augustine Vu Mr. Augustine Vu is the current Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Manager. Mr. Vu began his career as a Design Engineer, receiving a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Dayton, OH. After working in industry for several years designing industrial production equipment, Mr. Vu pursued and received a Masters of Business Administration Degree, also from the University of Dayton. | |
|
|
Steven Xanthoudakis, Ph.D. Dr. Steven Xanthoudakis received his doctoral degree from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University in 1990. Following his post-doctoral training at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology in New Jersey, he assumed a faculty position as a Research Investigator in the Department of Neurogenetics at Hoffman La Roche. He was recruited back to Montreal in 1996 to join Merck Frosst Canada as a Senior Research Scientist where he focused on advancing several early stage drug discovery programs in the Neuroscience, Respiratory and Cardiovascular disease areas. Since early 2007 he has been involved in coordinating Merck's Canadian, South East/North Central US and LATAM R & D out-reach programs. In his current position as Director, Licensing and External Research for Merck Research Laboratories, his primary role is to build lasting relationships with the venture capital, biotechnology and academic research communities and to help foster partnering opportunities which fit with Merck’s strategic research and development goals across all therapeutic and technology areas. Dr. Steven Xanthoudakis is based out of the Merck Canada head office in Montreal, Canada. |
