iKC Conference speakers

iKC Conference speakers
Nate Allen – The Perfect Pitch: Getting Investors to Listen, Engage, and Act
Founder, 4 First Names
Nate is a Kansas City native and a serial entrepreneur. After trying to create a video game studio in KC,
he finds himself the Grand Poobah of 4 First Names, a data communication and inforporn company. He is
also a founder of Mockcrunch.com, a parody tech news blog.
Nate also organizes local entrepreneur events and meet-ups like KC Geek Night and the KC Video Game
Developers meet up. This spring, he gave into his Startup Weekend addiction to help organize one of the
local events. He also recommends you attend the next KC Startup Weekend in October.
Jennifer Bailey - From Ideas to Dollars: Discover Your Profitability MODERATOR
Partner, Hovey Williams LLP
www.hoveywillams.com
[email protected]
(913) 232-5028
Jennifer Bailey is a partner with Hovey Williams LLP, where she specializes in software, electrical, and
mechanical patent procurement and technology licensing and ownership. Jennifer’s clients range from
start-ups and entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies, which allows her to apply lessons and experiences for resolving and
addressing a company’s needs at any stage of growth. She regularly negotiates and drafts license agreements, prepares
invalidity, non-infringement, and freedom to operate opinions, and negotiates settlements of various types of intellectual
property disputes. Jennifer also advises clients on copyrights in software and how best to maintain their copyrights. Jennifer
has experience in a variety of technology areas, including encryption and authentication, payments systems, financial
services, optics, pneumatic conveying, digital surveillance, medical devices, aerial devices, and GPS systems.
Sean Beckner – How to Build a Tech Company and Stay in the Midwest
Founder & CEO, Front Flip
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (855) 730-1830
Web: www.frontflip.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/frontflip
Twitter: @frontflip
Sean Beckner is founder and CEO of Front Flip, a leading provider of customer engagement solutions that offers businesses a
fun and easy way to connect with customers at the point of purchase and beyond. As CEO, he directs Front Flip’s vision and
strategy and leads business development, marketing, and operations. He is a serial entrepreneur who has founded several
successful businesses in the technology and financial sectors. Sean is a graduate of the University of Kansas.
Tom Boozer - How to Build a Tech Company and Stay in the Midwest MODERATOR
Tom is an Associate Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Bloch
School of the University of Missouri Kansas City. A Thunderbird MBA, he spent nearly a decade in
Asia as VP of Innovation for Singapore Airlines, as Director Venture Projects for 101Capital with over
$80 million raised for transport and technology startups, and as VP Product Development and chief
bottle washer for an Asian aerospace venture to manufacture business jets. In his prior life in
Seattle, he designed lots of really cool products and user interfaces for Fortune 100 firms
includingBoeing, AT&T, Microsoft, and assisted numerous startups to develop and market launch
their technology, medical, aerospace and consumer products. He currently has two of his own ventures, TankTop and
BackYard Build in progress.
Trey Bowen – Strategic Partnerships Explained: Maximizing Competitive Advantage through Innovative
Collaboration
Vice President, Superior Bowen Asphalt
(816) 921-8200
[email protected]
Carrying on the legacy of a 68-year-old family business and helping move it into its next phase is one
focus for Trey Bowen, vice president of Superior Bowen Asphalt Company. He knows his asphalt firm
was built on the notion that doing the right thing is always the right thing to do, and says the company operates with the same
mantra today, “because when you have a long-term commitment to the growth of Kansas City, you cannot ever afford to
jeopardize your reputation.” And he’s moved beyond the confines of his current business model to lead the launch of a
subsidiary company that is focused in the recycling/sustainability space—so he is involved in two different worlds—creating a
new organization along with long-standing family tradition. Active in the Heavy Constructors’ Association, a Centurions
member of the K.C. Chamber, and on the board of his country club, Bowen embraces a philosophy that reaches beyond
business. He clearly states, “I always measure my success based on the healthiness of my personal life. Any professional
successes I have that come at the expense of my personal success are not true successes. The ultimate measure is the health
and happiness of my wife and three children.”
J. Grant Burcham – Finding an Advisory Board and Building a Company of Mentors
President and CEO, Missouri Bank
A lifelong banker, Burcham has grown mobank from $63 million in assets when he took over in 1994, to
more than $550 million today. He literally has worked in every position in the bank – from teller to CEO.
Burcham and his bank focus on small businesses. He understands small business owners because he is
one; mobank was the KC Chamber’s Small Business of the Year in 1999. Burcham was also named Ernst
& Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999. Ingram’s Magazine named Burcham one of their 40 under
40 in 2000. Burcham received a bachelor of business administration degree in 1984 from Southern
Methodist University. In 1990, he completed attendance at Graduate School of Banking – Colorado.
Chuck Caisley – Strategic Partnerships Explained: Maximizing Competitive Advantage through Innovative
Collaboration
Vice President, Marketing & Public Affairs, KCP&L
Mr. Caisley leads the Energy Solutions and Public Affairs divisions with responsibility for the company's
community strategy, customer communications, economic development, governmental affairs and public
relations areas. He joined KCP&L in 2007 as Director of Governmental Affairs.
Prior to joining KCP&L, he was president of the Missouri Energy Development Association, where he was responsible for
rewriting the association's strategic mission, fundraising and membership goals, staffing structure, industry/government
interaction and communication plan.
In 2004, Mr. Caisley served as both the Chief of Staff and top political advisor to Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway the first woman Speaker of the Missouri House. During his tenure, he was instrumental in passing several landmark pieces of
legislation, including tort, nursing home and foster care reform, and increased life-sciences research funding.
He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor degree in political science, a
Juris Doctorate degree from St. Louis University School of Law and Master of Business Administration from Washington
University in St. Louis.
Mr. Caisley is the former chairman of the Missouri Energy Council.
Mark A Ciaramitaro - VP of Innovation and New Business, H&R Block
Mark Ciaramitaro is Vice President of Innovation and New Business at H&R Block. In that role, he is
responsible for supporting company-wide innovation activities and outcomes as well as identifying and
launching new strategic business ventures adjacent to Block’s core tax business. Prior to this role, Mark
served as Vice president of Product Development–Retail where he was accountable for leading the
design, development, deployment and ongoing management of tax and financial products offered
through Blocks’ retail network. Prior to joining H&R Block, Ciaramitaro served in multiple business
leadership roles at Hallmark Cards including marketing, product development, finance and strategic
planning positions. His last position was Executive leader/CMO of EbizMIX.com a business-to-business
online marketplace affiliate of Hallmark Cards.
Joni Cobb – The Perfect Pitch: Getting Investors to Listen, Engage, and Act
Founding President & CEO, PIPELINE
As founding President and CEO of PIPELINE, Joni Cobb has led the development of the nationallyacclaimed model. She also spearheaded development of the national advisory board, mentor program and
national alliance building to ensure PIPELINE developed with the best possible input on investment
strategies, innovation trends and expertise from around the nation.
In the late 1990s, Ms. Cobb successfully started and grew her own Kansas City-based Company, Cobb
Communications, LLC, which provided comprehensive business planning, strategic communications and public affairs
consulting services to technology and bioscience organizations, as well as foundations and organizations with high emphasis
on public sector engagement. During this period, Ms. Cobb served as strategic advisor to the Kansas Technology Enterprise
Corporation, working with leadership to implement the early phases of the state's bioscience initiative, strategic planning of
the Kansas Bioscience Organization, as well as leading early efforts to promote Kansas on the national bioscience stage.
Prior to her career in strategy and entrepreneurial leadership, Cobb developed advocacy and communications skills in the
legal arena, including selection as a federal law clerk for the Honorable Joseph E. Stevens, Jr,. United States District Court,
and as an attorney with Watson & Marshall in Kansas City.
Josh Coleman - User Acquisition: Are You Acquiring Users or Losers?
Director of Sales and Marketing, AgLocal
@JoshColeman
@AgLocal
http://aglocal.com
Josh is a born and bred Kansas Citian. He is very passionate and proud of his roots in KC. He
currently holds the title at AgLocal as the Director of Sales and Marketing, which includes
overseeing business development and social media for AgLocal. He has over 10 years experience
working for technology companies, in roles ranging from technical to business development and
marketing. He recently held the role of Marketing Coordinator at “Zaarly” a fast growing startup in
the location based markets sector. Previous to his work at Zaarly, He worked in various technical and sales related roles at
Batts Communications. Josh derives his passion and understanding of AgLocal’s mission from spending his summers on a
family farm in Missouri. He is also an involved member in many groups and organizations such as KC Geek Night, Kansas City
IT Professionals (KCITP), Social Media Club of Kansas City, Under 30 CEO, Hello Art, and Young Friends of Art(YFA).
Brent Comstock - Teentrepreneurship
CEO and Founder of bCom Tech Solutions
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.bcomtechsolutions.com
Telephone: 1-866-922-7237 Company
1-402-414-1909 Direct Line
Twitter: @brentcomstock or www.twitter.com/brentcomstock
Google Plus: Brent Comstock
Entrepreneur. Innovator. Digital Marketing Consultant… and teenager? Brent Comstock began his
business endeavors in rural Nebraska at the age of 12 by fixing computers and making websites.
Now, as the founder of bCom Tech Solutions, Brent develops digital marketing strategies and technology integration plans for
start-up businesses, Fortune 500 Companies, and non-profits across the nation. In addition to leading the bCom Tech
Solutions team, Brent provides freelance web development services, gives inspirational speeches and workshops to
businesses and schools across the nation, and is a frequent blogger. In his “spare” time, Brent attends Auburn Senior High
School and serves as the Vice President of Nebraska Future Business Leaders of America. He also serves as the class
president, student council member, and is active in fine arts activities.
Matthew Condon, J.D./MBA – Wellness and Innovation
CEO, Athletic & Rehabilitation Center
Matthew Condon is one of the founders of Athletic & Rehabilitation Center. Among ARC’s many
accomplishments since their inception in 2003, ARC was named Kansas City’s “Small Business of
the Year” in 2010, one of Kansas City’s “Champions of Business” in 2011, and was recently named
one of Kansas City’s “Healthiest Employers” in 2012. With Matt’s leadership, what started out as a
physical and occupational therapy company specializing in workers’ compensation claims has
grown into a new breed of company – the region's foremost wellness, injury prevention and
rehabilitation company – a healthy workforce company. ARC provides a continuum of care for
employers including pre-hire, post offer functional employment testing, work conditioning, functional
capacity assessment, fit for duty testing, ergonomic onsite assessment and job analysis, preventive
exercise programs and recently launched customized comprehensive wellness programs that have
gained national attention.
Ken Conklin – Creativity Survival Skills: Innovation in a Large Ecosystem
Senior Vice President, Global Head of Business Development and Marketing, BATS Global Markets, Inc.
Ken Conklin was promoted to senior vice president, business development, at BATS Global Markets in
August 2007. Mr. Conklin spearheads BATS’ business development efforts and is responsible for
researching new market opportunities for the company. Mr. Conklin was the driving force behind much
of the company’s European expansion and spent two years in London focusing on the start-up of BATS
Europe, now known as BATS Chi-X Europe. He was also instrumental in the research and development
for BATS Options. Also, as head of global marketing, Mr. Conklin brings strong technical knowledge to
the firm’s print and online material and is responsible for maintaining the BATS brand by ensuring
consistent messages and branding across all media.
Mr. Conklin joined BATS as a founding employee in 2005 as a software developer and played a key role in the development of
the BATS ECN. He has pioneered and led the sales and marketing efforts for BATS as an account manager, sales manager,
and vice president of sales. Prior to joining BATS, Mr. Conklin was a software developer at Tradebot Systems. His experience
also includes software engineering positions at Cerner Corp., Kansas City, Mo., and Cyntergy Technology, Tulsa, Okla. He
spent the first several years of his career as a financial analyst and commercial lender for Bank of America and Firstar Bank
(U.S. Bank). Mr. Conklin holds a bachelor's degree in economics and business from Kansas State University and also earned a
master's degree in computer science, with honors, from the University of Kansas.
Cameron W. Cushman – The Perfect Pitch: Getting Investors to Listen, Engage, and Act
Manager, Entrepreneurship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Cameron Cushman focuses his efforts at the Kauffman Foundation on strengthening the entrepreneurial
ecosystem in the Kansas City region. He leads the Foundation’s efforts on the GKCCC’s Big 5 initiative to
make Kansas City America’s Most Entrepreneurial City. He is working to develop programs that will
allow innovators and entrepreneurs to maximize the impact of the high-speed fiber optic network that
Google is installing in Kansas City. Cushman previously directed the Foundation’s efforts to educate
policymakers about the importance of entrepreneurs as job creators and was involved in several efforts
in Washington to improve the policy environment for entrepreneurs including the Startup Act of 2011, the Startup Act 2.0, and
the JOBS Act. He is also an occasional contributor to the Policy Forum section of entrepreneurship.org. Cushman spent his
first three years at the Foundation serving as the Chief of Staff to former Kauffman President and CEO, Carl Schramm.
Prior to joining Kauffman, Cushman served in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Market Access and Compliance division of
the International Trade Administration. At Commerce, Cushman worked to expedite trade along the U.S.–Mexico border,
quantify the cost of non-tariff barriers on American exports and led the effort that launched the website
www.entrepreneurship.gov. Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Cushman served in the Domestic Policy Council and
the Office of Presidential Correspondence at The White House.
Cushman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science with minors in history and journalism from Texas A&M
University. He also holds a Certificate of Advanced International Affairs from the George Bush School of Government and Public
Service.
Aaron Deacon - Getting Social and Going Viral: Harnessing the Power of Crowd-based Marketing
MODERATOR
@SMCKC
Aaron is a market researcher and strategic planner who turns information into insight and insight
into action. At Curiolab, he offers a holistic approach to consumer insights by supplementing
traditional quantitative and qualitative market research approaches with Big Data analysis and social
media monitoring. Aaron serves on the board of the Social Media Club of Kansas City where he
advocates for technology literacy and works to help organizations understand the impact of
advancing technology on communication, collaboration and connectivity. He has been a key participant in helping Kansas City
prepare to be the first major U.S. metro area with large-scale gigabit connectivity in the home. His work related to Google
Fiber includes helping to create the Building the Gigabit City community brainstorming session; leading the Give Us a Gig
initiative for education, engagement and advocacy; serving as a judge for Think Big’s Gigabit Challenge; and working with the
Mayors’ Bistate Innovations Team to prepare the cities’ Google Fiber playbook.
Greg Elliott – The Perfect Pitch: Getting Investors to Listen, Engage and Act
Director of Business Development, 1102 GRAND
Greg joined 1102 GRAND in 2008 where he has been active in attracting bootstrapping startups to Inc.
500 and Fortune 500 companies from around the region and the world to utilize the Midwest Internet
Hub and Collocation Facility. Greg has increased revenues an average of 24% per year, setting record
sales numbers in 2009, 2010, 2011, and on track to exceeding those numbers again this year.
Greg is extremely active in the regional IT, Software, and Telecom communities, including planning
and organizing a social media job finding event. It was designed to assist members of these
communities with the updated methods to prepare resumes and utilize social networking sites to
obtain job leads. He has also been instrumental in planning and running 1102 GRAND Networking Events and Golf
Tournaments to bring together professionals within these communities to exchange ideas and make lasting connections.
Greg is an entrepreneur at heart and has been instrumental in starting, owning, and operating two other profitable businesses.
In addition to information technology and telecommunications verticals, he also has experience in manufacturing technology.
He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas.
Geoff Fasel – Geocashing Players from Pawns: Finding the Capital to Invest in Your Company
Shareholder, Polsinelli Shughart Geoffrey D. Fasel engages in a variety of corporate representations for public and private companies,
top management, and investors and entrepreneurs. His experience includes all stages of business,
beginning with startup formation and including venture and private equity capital financing, commercial
contracting, licensing and joint ventures, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and other
complex financial and strategic transactions. Drawing on his business background, Mr. Fasel serves as
outside general counsel to companies in many industries, in all stages of development.
Mr. Fasel is often asked to speak on various aspects of business formation, operation, aggregation and attraction of capital,
and strategic exits, including for the national meeting of the Association of University Technology Managers, as well as the
Innovate! program at the Carey Business School of Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Fasel is a shareholder focused in the firm’s
Life Sciences, Corporate Finance and Securities, Venture and Private Equity Capital, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Nonprofit
Organizations practice groups.
Chris Ford – Finding An Advisory Board and Building a Company of Mentors
Commercial Insurance Broker, Cretcher Heartland
CEO, Physician Management Partners
www.thedoctorscircle.com
Ford leads Physician Management Partners, a company serving physicians with management tools and
services that enhance practice and employee management functions and optimize revenue cycle
management.
Dean Gray – Creativity Survival Skills: Innovation in a Large Ecosystem
Deputy Division Director, MRIGlobal
Dr. Dean Gray is the Deputy Director of the Special Programs Division within MRIGlobal’s National
Security and Systems Integration Operation. His responsibilities include planning, development and
oversight of research programs in national security and defense technologies.
Prior to becoming a Deputy Division Director, Dr. Gray held MRIGlobal positions on Technical,
Professional, and Resource Management career tracks, including Staff Scientist, Senior Scientist,
Program Manager, Associate Section Manager, and Section Manager. Dr. Gray was the first President
of MRIGlobal’s Leadership Council, and serves as the lead for corporate program management
initiatives.
Dr. Gray is a recognized expert in plant chemistry studies, including analytical methods development and validation, and
natural product research. Dr. Gray has been an active participant in several professional organizations, and served on various
expert review panels and committees. These committees included the AOAC Official Methods™ Committee for collaborative
studies and method validation, the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP);, as well as a frequent reviewer for the National
Institutes of Health (NIH).
Dr. Gray received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Forestry from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to beginning his
graduate studies, Dr. Gray worked as an archaeologist for the state of Missouri after receiving his B.A. in Anthropology from
Ohio University.
Rachel Hack - Inspire Talks EMCEE
Community Manager – Kansas City, Google
Rachel Hack is Google’s Community Manager where she serves as a liaison between the many
organizations and leaders in Kansas City with an interest in the ultra high-speed Google Fiber project
and the rest of the Google Fiber team. She also oversees community affairs efforts in the community.
Prior to joining Google, Rachel was the President of the Software and Information Technology
Association of Kansas, a technology trade association that later merged with KCnext. She was also the
Executive Director of the American Advertising Federation – Kansas City (formerly the Ad Club) for
seven years.
Rachel is a lifelong Kansas Citian. She is a Big Sis in Kansas City’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program and serves on the Boards
of Directors of the Central Exchange, Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association, Guadalupe Centers, and Advisory Board
of the University of Missouri – Kansas City Women’s Center. Rachel’s accomplishments have earned her the acknowledgment
as a “Rising Star” by KC Business Magazine, a recognition of Kansas City leaders under the age of 40.
Jim Heeter – Closing
President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Jim Heeter serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of
Commerce. He joined The Chamber staff in April 2010 following a distinguished career as a corporate
attorney. Heeter received his A.B. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1970 and his J.D. with
honors from Harvard Law School in 1973. He practiced corporate law for more than 35 years,
representing some of Kansas City’s biggest and most successful companies as well as a number of
successful start-up ventures and healthcare clients. In 1995 he became a partner with Sonnenschein
Nath & Rosenthal, LLP (now SNR Denton) and served as the managing partner of that firm’s Kansas City office and a member
of the firm’s executive committee from 2000 until 2010. In addition, he was “Councilman” Jim Heeter from 1983-1987,
representing Kansas City, Missouri’s Fourth District At-Large. He has served in a host of other leadership positions in the
Kansas City civic, business and philanthropic communities.
Mary Bosco Heinrich – The Communication Secrets of Steve Jobs
Senior Vice President, Fleishman-HIllard Kansas City
Ms. Heinrich’s extensive public health and social marketing expertise has allowed her to
successfully lead diverse initiatives for a broad range of health care clients, including Iowa
Department of Human Services, United Health Foundation, Genentech BioOncology and Ethicon
Endo-Surgery (EES). Within the context of health communications, Ms. Heinrich’s specialty areas
include digital and mobile strategy, social media outreach, grassroots advocacy, patient advocacy
and stakeholder engagement. During her time at Fleishman-Hillard, she has been an integral leader
within the biotech and healthcare practice group.
Ms. Heinrich is the senior strategic counselor for the Talking Sex Together (TxT) campaign for the Iowa Department of Human
Services and EyesOpenIowa. This cutting edge campaign was designed to encourage teens to talk with other teens about
avoiding teen pregnancy through text messaging and social networks. Under Ms. Heinrich’s strategic leadership, the
campaign successfully reached teens through mediums that which they felt comfortable engaging in and promoted
engagement and impacting attitudes about making healthier lifestyle decisions.
Ms. Heinrich’s efforts in the field of public health have resulted in two PRSA Silver Anvil Awards, the highest public relations
industry achievement. Other awards include an IABC Silver Quill Award Ms. Heinrich currently serves on the Board of Directors
for the YWCA of Greater Kansas City, CORO Kansas City, and the Rosedale Neighborhood Development Association. In 2007,
she was selected to participate in the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s leadership program, Centurions. Ms. Heinrich is
currently pursuing her master’s degree in public health from the University of Kansas and graduated with honors from Kansas
State University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and mass communications and a minor in leadership studies.
Shelly Kramer - Getting Social and Going Viral: Harnessing the Power of Crowd-based Marketing
Founder and CEO, V3 Integrated Marketing
http://www.v3im.com/#axzz1tXOUrqH4
t: @ShellyKramer
A 20+ year marketing veteran, Shelly is a strategist, brand storyteller, digital marketing pro, content
marketing expert, speaker and corporate trainer – she’s and a well regarded figure in the worlds of tech
and social media. Recently recognized by Forbes as one of theTop 50 Social Media Influencers, she’s
half marketer, half geek, with a propensity for numbers, producing results and a dash of quick repartee.
Her client experience is diverse and includes working with startups and nonprofits, as well as with Fortune 500 companies
and agencies of all sizes, budgets teeny to gigantic, in both B2B and B2C markets. Her blog has been recognized by Forced as
one of the Top 20 Best Marketing and Social Media Blogs and by PostRank as one of the Top 100 Most Engaging Social Media
Blogs. You can find her on Twitter at @ShellyKramer and she’s a regular contributor on LinkedIn, too.
Micah LaCerte - From Ideas to Dollars: Discover Your Profitability
www.hitchfit.com
www.facebook.com/hitchfit
www.twitter.com/hitchfit
Micah “Hitch” LaCerte is a business owner, personal trainer, life coach, fitness model , WBFF World
Champion Fitness competitor and published author. He is known as the Fitness Social Media Guru,
transforming his business into the powerful brand “Hitch Fit”. Between him and his wife, Diana
Chaloux, LaCerte they have transformed people’s lives in over 70 countries worldwide with Hitch
Fit’s #1 rated Online Personal Training System. Micah and Diana own and operate two physical
gyms in the Kansas City Area and have 15 trainers who are teaching and transforming their clients the Hitch Fit way.
Mark Logan – Hot Now! Krispy Kreme’s Sweet App Success
Senior Vice President, Digital Innovation, BARKLEY
http://www.linkedin.com/in/MarkLogan
http://www.twitter.com/mlogan
[email protected]
Direct: 816.423.6248
Mobile: 816.674.6373
Fax: 816.423.7248
www.barkleyus.com
Mark leads Moonshot, the Innovation Lab at Barkley and spearheads the drive to bring digital
innovation to Barkley’s clients. Mark has enjoyed an accomplished 20-year career in the field of
interactive marketing. In 1996, he founded lookandfeel new media, an internationally acclaimed digital agency based in
Kansas City. He was twice named as one of Kansas City’s top 50 technology leaders by the Kansas City Star. Mark’s
experience is diverse, encompassing ecommerce, social media, gaming and mobile development. He has led a wide range of
digital marketing initiatives for clients such as Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Lee Jeans, New Era Cap Company and On The Border
Mexican Grill and Cantina.
Michele Markey – Smart Women Entrepreneurs and Their Lessons For Us All
Vice President of Kauffman FastTrac
direct 816.932.1257
[email protected]
http://www.fasttrac.org
Michele Markey is the Vice President of Kauffman FastTrac, the leading provider of learning curricula
that equip aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with the business skills and insights, tools, resources,
and networks to start and grow successful businesses. Kauffman FastTrac was created by the
Kauffman Foundation, the largest foundation whose mission is to advance entrepreneurship as a key
to growing economies and expanding human welfare. Michele is a seasoned business executive with over 25 years of
business experience including 15 years as a business owner. She brings a rich history of driving learning strategy, leadership
development, and process improvement for a number of organizations. Michele’s background includes successful leadership
at the American Management Association, Applebee’s International and Wolseley North America a $16 billion construction and
building supply company made up of Ferguson, Stock Building Supply (SBS) and Wolseley Canada. Michele has been a
featured expert for the American Management Association. Michele has worked with hundreds of businesses to develop their
business growth strategy including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Store, University of California Berkley, The Gap, Sprint and
Coca Cola. Additionally, Michele serves on the Chief Learning Officer Intelligence board. Michele earned her undergraduate
degrees in political science and social studies and master’s degree in Business. She and her husband Jim have been married
27 years and have three children.
Jay Martin, CP, LP, FAAOP - How To Make Everyone A Successful Innovator
Entrepreneurial Innovation™
[email protected]
405.850.2069
Twitter | https://twitter.com/#!/jaymartin_ei
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/entrepreneurialinnovation/app_323391684357980
ideamold.com
Jay Martin influences & equips innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Through his
unconventional journey as a career inventor and entrepreneur he mentors and equips innovators
of all types how to leverage their ideas and bring them to fruition, resulting in numerous
businesses being created. Through unique and practical resources and strategies that he teaches,
everyone is able to transform their ideas into successful endeavors. Simply put: he influences influence. Jay has launched
numerous businesses based on his own innovations; including helping create the nation’s largest prosthetics research and
development company. He and his ideas have been featured on TED, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, Popular
Science, the Smithsonian Institute, and many others.
Von McConnell – Creativity Survival Skills: Innovation in a Large Ecosystem
Sr. Director of Innovation & Advanced Labs, Sprint Corp.
In this role, McConnell is responsible for coordination of all innovation ideas and processes as well
as the operations, testing and evaluation activities in a number advanced technical labs ranging
from analytics, radio, packet core, video, devices and services. Mr. McConnell has 27 years in
the communications industry, holds numerous patents and master degrees from George
Washington University and George Mason University.
John McDonald
Founder and President, Boulevard Brewing Company
John McDonald embodies the character and culture of the organization he built. From humble beginnings,
a small Midwestern craft brewery became the region’s largest. John still walks through the brewery each
morning, greeting employees and discussing issues of the day. The loyalty and dedication he inspires is
an important reason why Boulevard has been successful.
After graduating from the University of Kansas with a fine arts degree, he spent time traveling widely
throughout Central and South America. Upon his return, he landed in Kansas City and started his own
construction business, making his living as a carpenter and cabinetmaker. A hard worker and a consummate and dedicated
craftsman, he became well known for the quality of his work.
In the mid ‘80s, John traveled extensively throughout the great beer making regions of Europe, and fell in love with beer. Not
just with the beer itself, but with the idea: small breweries making flavorful beers in a variety of styles for a local or regional
market. He took up home brewing, and the same qualities that made him a sought-after carpenter made him a natural at
brewing beer (and very popular with his friends). In 1989, John put down is carpenter’s tools to found Kansas City’s Boulevard
Brewing Company, instantly making it Missouri’s 2nd largest brewery. It retains that title to this day and also now the largest
American-owned brewery in the state. Boulevard enjoys a strong reputation and an enviable market presence in its limited
territory, which consists of statewide distribution in 23 states.
In 2009, John, along with other Boulevard colleagues, established Ripple Glass, the lone glass recycling operation in Kansas
City. With support of community sponsors and personal investments, they successfully created a way for less waste, more
energy-efficient solutions and a greener community.
Sam Meers – The Communication Secrets of Steve Jobs
Founder, Meers Advertising
A strong proponent of advertising and digital strategy to build brands, Sam has developed his
marketing communications beliefs through experience. Founding Meers Advertising in 1993, he has
witnessed the rapidly evolving integration of traditional and digital communications first-hand. Some
of the companies with which the agency works include Missouri Gas Energy, multiple Blue Cross and
Blue Shield plans, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Husch Blackwell, Saint Luke’s Hospitals,
the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Kansas City Film Festival and The Whole Person.
In 2011, Meers Advertising was recognized by Inc. Magazine as the fastest growing company in Kansas City, Missouri. The
company was also recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal as a technology leader in marketing communications and
received the publications first Impact Award for innovative use of technology. Also in 2011, the Downtown Council of Kansas
City named Sam an Urban Hero for the work he and his company have done to revitalize the Urban Core of Kansas City. Most
recently, the agency was named a Top 10 Small Business of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Sam posts frequently to his blog, Smoke & Meers, on the ever-changing advertising and digital marketing scene. His agency
has become known for helping clients achieve thought leadership positions in both traditional and digital marketing.
Meers serves as Vice President of the American Advertising Federation of Kansas City, is on the Kansas City Board of
Governors of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, is a member of the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring
Program, and is a long-time supporter of Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics.
Jill Meyer – Smart Women Entrepreneurs and Their Lessons for Us All
Technology Development and Commercialization Specialist at UMKC
Jill Meyer is a skilled and successful senior manager with over 20 years of leadership, marketing, human capital and
consulting experience, working with startup organizations as well as multi-national corporations to impact change and drive
profit. Prior to joining the UMKC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), Jill had her own consulting
practice working with entrepreneurs to grow their business by developing and integrating operational, marketing, product and
technical improvements in alignment with business priorities. Previously, Jill was with Korn/Ferry Futurestep, where she was a
senior member of the management team.
Ramsey Mohsen - Getting Social and Going Viral: Harnessing the Power of Crowd-based Marketing
Director of Social at Digital Evolution Group
http://ramseymohsen.com
http://digitalev.com
http://twitter.com/rm
Ramsey Mohsen is the Director of Social at Digital Evolution Group, a full service e-consultancy firm here
in Kansas City. He leads social media engagements for both mid-sized businesses to global brands,
including Hallmark, Bushnell, Lee Jeans, Crocs, and Timberland. Ramsey is also a pioneer in the video
blogging space, as the first “life-caster” in the Midwest featured on the famed Justin.tv Website and now
is popular video and tech blogger in the region. Ramsey is also often asked to appear on KCTV5 for TV interviews regarding
the latest development in technology, social media, and gadgets.
Teresa Moravek – From Ideas to Dollars: Discover Your Profitability
President, PERFORMANCEPOINTE, inc.
[email protected]
913-488-3619
Teresa Moravek, founder and president of PERFORMANCEPOINTE, inc. is one of the country’s most dynamic
and sought-after experts in the realm of entrepreneurship and business start-ups and strategy. Known for
her unique blend of creativity, real-life experience and innovative business savvy, Teresa serves as the “goto” leadership development and training resource for entrepreneurs and businesses leaders across the
country. Teresa views the entrepreneur and small business sector as one of the most powerful engines
helping drive the U.S. economy, and has helped facilitate the feasibility and assessment phases of more than 2,000 successful
start-ups. She is most well-known for her ability to hone in on the challenges specific to entrepreneurial and dynamic
business environments – particularly in pre-rapid growth organizations – and then work with leaders to develop effective
strategies and related leadership capital solutions. She is dual-certified in entrepreneurship and career strategy
coaching/facilitating. Teresa is a triathlete, mother of three, and serves the community as a non-profit advisory board
member.
Alana Muller – Finding an Advisory Board and Building a Company of Mentors
President, Kauffman FastTrac
Alana Muller is President of Kauffman FastTrac, a global provider of training to aspiring and established
entrepreneurs – giving them the tools, resources and networks to start and grow successful
businesses. Kauffman FastTrac was created by the Kauffman Foundation, the largest foundation whose
mission is to advance entrepreneurship as a key to growing economies and expanding human welfare.
Prior to joining the Kauffman FastTrac, Alana provided consulting services to organizations such as
McCownGordon Construction and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, assisting them
with expansion and growth of their businesses. Additionally, Alana spent ten years as an executive with Sprint in a variety of
general management roles ranging from marketing to corporate strategy to executive and leadership development. Before
assuming her position with Sprint, Alana held various roles with Chase Securities and Hallmark Cards.
Alana has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago, where she was the recipient of the
Mike and Karen Herman Family Fellowship for Women in Entrepreneurship, and an undergraduate degree in mathematics
from Smith College. She was recognized as a 2012 Influential Woman by KC Business magazine. She is the author of an
online blog, CoffeeLunchCoffee.com, a practical field guide for professional networking and a forthcoming book on the same
topic. Alana and her husband, Marc Hammer, have a grade school aged son, Ian.
Steve Nicholson – Finding An Advisory Board and Building a Company of Mentors
CEO and co-owner of Cretcher Heartland
www.cretcherheartland.com
Cretcher Heartland is among the fastest-growing and largest independent insurance and employee
benefits consultants in the Midwest and a 2012 Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce "Top Ten"
Small Business.
Luke Norris – Finding an Advisory Board and Building a Company of Mentors MODERATOR; Creativity
Survival Skills: Innovation in a Large Ecosystem
Innovation Leader, Hallmark
Luke started his career as a financial consultant for a boutique consulting firm where he participated in
business valuations, mergers and acquisitions, and helping with some post-acquisition integration. His
consulting work parlayed him into a sales role for an entrepreneurial software development firm, on the
East coast, where he managed a 13 state sales territory and helped grow sales in a previously unmarketed territory. After being a road warrior for three years, Luke made a switch in his career and
joined H&R Block, where he managed business development for the organizations commercial markets
and a virtual tax group. Luke also helped lead business development for the Client Innovation Lab at H&R Block. In this role,
Luke was responsible for prospecting, developing and negotiating strategic partnerships that could help H&R Block better
serve, or attract new clients, as well as provide H&R Block opportunities to leverage disruptive technology in the marketplace
specifically through partnering with early-stage, entrepreneurial firms. Luke helped structure a nationwide partnership
between H&R Block and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, the nation’s largest health insurance provider, to help
educated and support millions of taxpayers impacted by healthcare reform. Luke also structured a partnership with Pageonce,
the largest personal finance management mobile application which provided H&R Block unique marketing opportunities and
access to over 4 million Pageonce users. Luke has worked with a fast-growing start-up firm in Kansas City that developed
industry leading social analytic software as a service (Saas) platform.
Today, Luke is an Innovation Leader for Hallmark Cards. In his current role, Luke works within a small team of innovators who
are responsible for advancing the Hallmark brand in new businesses. In addition to his role at Hallmark, Luke also serves as
an e-Scholar mentor for UMKC’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Chris Olsen – The Communications Secrets of Steve Jobs;
Fire Up: Answers To Questions You Didn’t Know You Wanted to Ask EMCEE
Co founder, FINDitKC
FINDitKC.com
Facebook.com/FINDitKC
Twitter.com/FINDitKC
YouTube.com/FINDitKC
Pinterest.com/finditkc
https://plus.google.com/116860529333446248551
http://www.linkedin.com/company/finditkc.com-kansas-city%27s-first-online-video-businessdirectory
Chris Olsen spent more than a decade in the television news business, working for both ABC and NBC affiliates in Kansas,
Texas and West Virginia. Chris has been a sports anchor, morning news anchor, weekend news anchor, reporter,
photographer and producer. Apart from hosting events and TV shows, Chris conducts freelance work for national networks
covering violent crimes, forces of nature, and numerous elections. His reports have been seen by a global audience by way of
TMZ, FOX News, CNN, MSNBC and many other global news outlets and as an individual broadcaster.
Danny O’Neill – From Ideas to Dollars: Discover Your Profitability
Bean Baron, The Roasterie, inc.
Danny O’Neill is the “Bean Baron” of The Roasterie, inc., a specialty coffee roaster that services
espresso bars and coffee houses, fine restaurants, high-end grocers and coffee-lovers.
Danny was born and raised in Denison, Iowa, and is the middle of ten children. During his senior
year of high school he traveled to Costa Rica as a foreign exchange student and spent several
weeks picking coffee. The rest, as they say, is highly-caffeinated history. After his return he
received his B.A. from Iowa State University. Then, in 1993 he received his MBA from the
Rockhurst University Executive Fellows Program in Kansas City.
After holding various sales and marketing positions for ten years, he decided to take the plunge and start roasting coffee in the
basement of his home in Brookside. Since then, Danny has become a sought-after expert in the specialty coffee industry.
2005 marked the birth of Danny’s son, Terry, as well as the opening of first Roasterie Café in Brookside. In 2008 his daughter,
Sophia, was born; and in 2010 the second Roasterie Café opened, this time in Leawood, Kansas.
Don Peterson – Big Data and the End of Wisdom
Founder & CEO, Big Iris
@BigIrisKC
Don Peterson is Founder and CEO of BigIris, Inc. a company providing Business Intelligence as a
Service (BiaaS) to healthcare imaging facilities. Don has worked in healthcare as COO for a
nationwide cardiac imaging company and has over 25 years of experience in technology. His
background includes 10 years in Silicon Valley with Advanced Micro Devices and 10 years as
founder and CEO of DeskStation Technology, a designer of high- performance graphics
workstations for the professional engineering and entertainment markets. In 1996 Don was
honored with the Entrepreneur of the Year award in High Technology sponsored by the Kauffman
Center of Entrepreneurial Leadership, NASDAQ and Ernst & Young.
Jeff Pfaff – Fire Up: What’s The Next Disruptive Innovation EMCEE
Founder and CEO, MTB Mobile
@jeffpfaff
www.caregiv.com
Jeff Pfaff (a serial misfit entrepreneur) is co-founder and CEO of Caregiv™, a privately held
mobile health startup, developing home patient monitoring and video communication
solutions for the aging population. Prior to Caregiv™, Pfaff was founder and CEO of MTB
Mobile, a mobile app development platform, specifically built to support community-based
organizations. Pfaff launched his first company in 2005 as COO of MTB Corporation. MTB
(Making Technology Better™) a mobile strategy and software development company, focused on mobile and network
development for Tier-1 CDMA carriers. As part of MTB, Pfaff was a founding member of the Sprint IT Research & Development
group, which began early work on Sprint’s current QR, mobile payments, and mobile advertising platforms.
Kelly Pruneau – Geocashing Players from Pawns: Finding the Capital to Invest in Your Company
Network Manager, Women’s Capital Connection
Kelly Pruneau spent 18 years in the trenches of retail entrepreneurship. She has purchased, grown and
sold four different retail businesses. Most recently, she was owner and CEO of Scandia Down on the
Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, a business she sold in 2003.
Kelly then spent five years as the Client Services Manager of the Kansas Women’s Business Center, where
she helped develop programming and also consulted with women in retail and service businesses. In
January of 2009, she began one of her current roles as the Network Manager of the Women’s Capital
Connection, an angel investment group of more than 30 women who invest in women-led companies. In December 2010, she
added the responsibility of Managing Director of The Show Me Angels, a group of accredited investors that invest in
companies in the Eastern Jackson County area of Kansas City.
In the past, Kelly has served on the local board of directors for the National Association of Women Business Owners and was
an executive committee member of the Plaza Merchants Association. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ten
Thousand Villages and is Grants Chairperson of the Pembroke Hill School Arts Council. Kelly was awarded the Kansas Women
Business Advocate of the Year in 2007. She has a degree in communication and business from Iowa State University.
Ashley Raiteri – Startup Methodology – The Lean Startup
Managing Partner, VaultPAD Ventures
http://vaultpad.com
t: @ashr
blog: ashley.raiteri.net
linkedin.com/in/ashleyraiteri
Ashley Raiteri is a managing partner at VaulPAD Ventures, a travel-focused startup incubator. Ashley
has over 20 years of experience in technology and management and is self-professed startup addict.
Mr Raiteri has a penchant for big data projects and algorithm magic. Previously Ashley launched
several missiles, a rocket into space, and several startups in the defense, medical and travel sectors:
Ignite, FocusPlus, Everbread and Flextrip are some of his most recent endeavours. Ashley
occasionally speaks to young entrepreneurs with real world advice on the joys and sorrow of startup life as well as the critical
boundary between business and tech in any enterprise.
Dr. Michael E. Raynor - Keynote
Director, Deloitte Services LP
www.michaelraynor.com
Michael E. Raynor is a Director with Deloitte Consulting LLP, which is part of Deloitte, a global
professional services firm with over $20 billion in revenue and 120,000 professionals in offices
worldwide. Michael has worked with some of the firm’s most significant clients across many
industries, including telecommunications, media, computer hardware and software, financial
services, energy, and health care. He has taught in MBA and executive education programs at the
Richard Ivey School of Business (Ivey) in London, Canada and at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The focus of his research, writing, and client work is innovation and corporate strategy. More
specifically, he explores the challenges of sustaining success through innovation despite the
constantly shifting demands of uncertain competitive environments.
Michael has been with Deloitte for 13 years, joining the firm in a client service capacity after receiving his MBA from Ivey. He
left the firm to pursue doctoral studies at the Harvard Business School, where he was awarded the George S. Dively Memorial
Award for research excellence, and upon receiving his doctorate, rejoined the firm.
His most recent book is The Innovator’s Manifesto (Crown Business 2011), which shows how to make systematically better
investments in innovation. He is the co-author, with Clayton M. Christensen, of The Innovator’s Solution: Creating and
sustaining successful growth (HBS Press 2003), and the author of The Strategy Paradox: Why committing to success leads to
failure (Currency/Doubleday 2007). Both books won several “best book of the year” awards when released and have achieved
bestseller status. His most recent research into the determinants of sustained superior performance has been featured in the
Harvard Business Review and won a Best Paper at the 2009 Academy of Management meetings.
Michael is a columnist for The Conference Board Review and is the author or co-author of many articles or book chapters in a
wide range of publications, including the Harvard Business Review, Strategic Management Journal, Long Range Planning, the
Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, the Journal of Business Strategy, Strategy & Leadership and Engineering Economist.
Michael lectures widely on topics of innovation and strategy, delivering over 100 major presentations or workshops annually.
Dr. Raynor holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Harvard University where he was a John Harvard Scholar.
He lives in Mississauga, Canada with his wife and two children.
Brad Satterwhite – The Communications Secrets of Steve Jobs
Co-founder and Principal, KEM STUDIO
Brad Satterwhite started KEM STUDIO, a design firm fusing architecture and industrial design, and is
a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional. He is continually
intrigued and influenced by a holistic approach to design that blurs the lines between architecture,
industrial design and art. Brad is the recipient of design awards from the American Institute of
Architects, Industrial Design Society of America and ID Magazine. He teaches an architecture design
studio at the University of Kansas and an annual, multi-disciplinary design workshop with his firm at
Virginia Tech. A Centurions Alumni, he has been involved in a variety of art and charitable
organizations including the Urban Culture Project of the Charlotte Street Foundation and The Arts Council of Metropolitan
Kansas City. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Studio Inc, and BikeShareKC.
Mike Schifman – Strategic Partnerships Explained: Maximizing Competitive Advantage through Innovative Collaboration
Director of Marketing, Certified Energy and Environmental Labs
Herb Sih – Opening
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Think Big Partners, Think Big Kansas City, and bizperc
Herb Sih currently serves as Managing Partner and is one of the founders of Think Big Partners, Think
Big Kansas City and bizperc. Collectively through these associated entities, the Think Big Partners
network specializes in incubating, accelerating and maximizing business ideas, opportunities and
entrepreneurs across the United States.
Prior to starting Think Big Partners, Herb was a Senior Vice President for Wachovia Securities
(formerly A.G. Edwards & Sons), working with corporations, institutions and high net worth
individuals. He was in the top 1% in the country as a producer and helped manage one of the top 10 branches (out of over
700) in the country. Herb also worked for Merrill Lynch early in his financial services career in the Kansas City market. Today,
he still maintains a presence in the investment community, primarily through his role in private equity. Herb previously held
securities licenses Series 7, 9, 10, 31, 63, 65, and 66.
As an active entrepreneur, Herb has started numerous companies and assisted in the early stages in many others. These
companies range from interactive marketing agencies, call centers, software companies, numerous internet/online
businesses, consumer retail, consulting companies, database marketing organizations and more. Several of these companies
have appeared in publications such as Inc. (Clickspeed – 2007 Inc. 500 list, Centrinex – 2008 Inc. 5000 list), Entrepreneur,
Ingram's (Top 10 Fastest Growing Companies in Kansas City list), Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition,
numerous newspapers, trade journals, online publications and more. To date, Herb has either personally started or taken
significant roles in the formation and successful launch of over 30 companies.
Herb has been actively involved in the internet business arena since 1998, and was formerly VP Sales for eScout.
Herb is a member of the National Business Incubator Association and completed the NBIA Incubator Management Certificate
Program. Prior to his business career, Herb was a helicopter pilot and officer in the military. Herb attended the University of
Kansas and holds a Bachelor of Science degree.
Brande Stitt – Geocashing Players from Pawns: Finding the Capital to Invest in Your Company
Network Builder, KCSourceLink
Brande Stitt currently serves as Network Builder for KCSourceLink, an organization connecting small
businesses to the right resource at the right time. Until recently, she served as the Director of Small
Business & Entrepreneurship for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. She began with
The Chamber in June 2002 after completing her M.Ed. in community/agency counseling at the
University of Missouri-Columbia. She also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from
Drury University in Springfield, Mo.
Her responsibilities with KCSourceLink include partner recruitment and outreach, marketing to the small business community
and coordinating grant-related events. Past experience with The Chamber included planning and implementing a weekly
educational series, Small Business Celebration awards program, an annual Innovation Conference and managing volunteer
committees for small business members.
Dan Stratman – The Perfect Pitch: Getting Investors to Listen, Engage and Act
Owner, Airport Life LLC
(816) 984-6030 Office
(816) 805-9571 Cell
http://www.airportlifeapp.com
Stratman is a veteran airline captain with 23 years experience, and started Airport Life two years ago.
The Airport Life app has been out for seven months and already has over 20,000 downloads. Stratman is a graduate of the
Kauffman Foundation FastTrac TechVenture program, and has been featured in articles in:
 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine
 Kansas City Business Journal
 Silicon Prairie News
 App nominated by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) for its Business Traveler Innovation Award
Theodore Svoronos – Save Money and Time: Using Electronic Payment Technology to Drive Your
Enterprise
Co-Founder & CEO, Merchant University on behalf of Master Your Card – Missouri.
Theodore Svoronos has over 23 years experience in sales, business development with an extensive
background in technology / IT security, identity theft and fraud. As a VP of a Global ecommerce
organization, he was instrumental in leading teams to build, market and fulfill security solutions for the
payment industry including ecommerce and mcommerce. Additionally, Theodore has successfully built
and managed inside and outside sales teams and fostered organizational growth through increased
relationships, sales and profitability.In building Merchant University, it has been his foresight that has
brought together “The Collaborative” which is the brain trust that powers M.U. and is the culmination of
years of experience and knowldge from the collaborative that many find beneficial and educational.
Jason Tatge – How to Build a Tech Company and Stay in the Midwest
Founder, Farms Technology
Jason oversees all aspects of Farms Technology’s intellectual property profile, new software
development and software deployment initiatives including the Dynamic Pricing Platform (DPP) and
FarmsTech DPP mobile application. The Overland Park-based company was founded in 2001 as a
way to make the commodity origination process more efficient by offering completely automated
marketing tools available to farmers and grain buyers utilizing electronic trading technologies and
real time feeds from the Chicago Board of Trade and other commodities futures exchanges. DuPont,
through its subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, recently took a majority equity stake in Farms
Technology. Pioneer Hi-Bred uses the DPP to help their farmer customers address one of their top
business needs and become better marketers of the commodities they grow. FarmsTech currently has over 9,000 farmer
subscribers who use the DPP to bring their crops to market. Many of these farmers have gone straight to the smartphones and
skipped the computer all together.
Prior to starting Farms Technology, Jason was a Senior Commodity Trader at The Scoular Company and The Pillsbury
Company. He has worked in Minneapolis, Kansas City and Memphis trading various commodities. Jason also launched
Farms.com in 1999, with co-founder Ben Zaitz, where he was Director of Online Markets and helped secure $40 million of
venture funding. Jason was in the PIPELINE Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program in 2009 and was named Innovator of the Year
in January 2012. Jason holds an MBA in Marketing from The Fogelman School of Business and Economics at The University of
Memphis and a BA in Financial Economics from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.
Angelo Trozzolo – The Communications Secrets of Steve Jobs
President, Trozzolo Communications Group
As president of Trozzolo Communications Group, Angelo Trozzolo is involved in every aspect of the
agency’s work. From strategic consultation and creative brainstorming to expert data analysis, his
insights help develop winning strategies for our clients. His business leadership is responsible for
helping transform the eight-person publishing shop in the mid-1990s into one of the region’s most
sought after marketing communications firms today.
He holds a B.A. in advertising from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., and an M.B.A. from
Rockhurst University.
Angelo serves on the board of Starlight Theatre, on the executive committee of the board of directors for the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society, on the University of Kansas Edwards Campus Workforce Advisory Board and on the St. Peter’s Catholic
Church Parish Council. Angelo is a 2004 graduate of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Centurions leadership
program.
In 2005, Ingram’s named Angelo one of Kansas City’s “Forty Under 40.” In 2010, KC Business magazine named Angelo
among its inaugural class of “Rising Stars.”
Kelly Tyler – Smart Women Entrepreneurs and Their Lessons for Us All MODERATOR
Principal, Senior Consultant
Kelly Tyler Training Services
Phone 816.353.8786
Email [email protected]
URL http://www.KellyTylerTrainingServices.com
Blog www.TheAll-InWay.com
Twitter @KellyTyler
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheAllInWay
Kelly Tyler’s consulting firm specializes in corporate culture diagnostics and development. The
firm has worked with top companies such as Bank of America, Chrysler, Mercedes, Morgan
Stanley, MRI Global, Schlage, Hallmark, and with several associations, universities, entrepreneur groups, and women’s
groups. In 2010, Kelly Tyler captured the All-In philosophy of high performance in her second book Put Your Whole Self In! Life
and Leadership the Hokey Pokey Way. She speaks around the country about how to improve financial performance by creating
All-In cultures full of All-In people. Kelly holds a B.A. from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from Rockhurst
University, and she is an adjunct professor of management for UMKC’s Bloch School. Kelly serves as the Executive Director for
The Center for Spirit at Work and is involved in many other community organizations.
Belinda Waggoner – Smart Women Entrepreneurs and Their Lessons for Us All
President & Founder of hr-haven, inc.
[email protected]
www.hr-haven.com
913.940.5391
www.linkedin.com/company/hr-haven-inc.
www.facebook.com/hrhaveninc
twitter.com/#!/StartUp_HR_Help
www.youtube.com/user/belindawaggoner?
hr-haven, inc. helps clients achieve great HR programs seamlessly as if they had their own inhouse HR Department. They provide small and medium sized businesses with anything from the hr-haven, inc. StartUp
Toolkit™ giving businesses an application and new hire process and all the forms they need along with a custom written
Employee Handbook and all the instructions for use all the way up to working on retainer as a total outsourced virtual HR
Department for guidance, management support and all associated HR functions. hr-haven provides clients with experienced,
creative and totally custom HR assistance within an framework that meets their needs and their budgets. And, hr-haven is
proud to have a sense of humor, putting the human back in human resources; working with business owners to strategize and
develop the kind of culture and business results they hoped to achieve when they started their businesses.
Allison Way - Getting Social and Going Viral: Harnessing the Power of Crowd-based Marketing
Senior Copywriter and Editor at Inboun
www.inboun.com
t: @allisonthinkbig
blog: www.inboun.com/blog
Allison Way is the senior copywriter and editor for Inboun, Kansas City’s up-and-coming inbound
marketing company. As the senior copywriter, Allison creates content strategies for a number of local
and national brands. In addition to writing, Allison also manages a number of social media accounts
for both Inboun and its clients.
When she is not developing content for Inboun, Allison works as the senior copywriter and chief editor for Kansas City startup
accelerator, Think Big Partners. As the head content developer for the accelerator, Allison has taken a major role in the
development and execution of the Think Big brand, voice and personality through the implementation of online marketing
strategies. Allison has been featured on Ragan.com, Ezine, Sprout Social, Examiner.com and Your15MinutesRadio for her
social media and content strategy efforts.
Jim Whalen – Closing Keynote
Group Head, Business Financial Officer, MasterCard Worldwide
Jim Whalen is group head and business financial officer for the MasterCard Technologies (MT)
organization at MasterCard Worldwide. In this role, he is responsible for the overall financial
performance of MasterCard Technologies, finance planning and analysis, internal accounting and
reporting, and the debit reconciliation processes. Prior to joining MasterCard, Mr. Whalen worked in
senior financial management roles for such corporations as Dell Computer Company, Ralston Purina,
and Price Waterhouse Coopers where he had significant P&L responsibility, measurable
achievements in corporate finance ($300 million debt/mezzanine offerings and four public offerings)
and actively participated in the negotiation, acquisition, and integration of twelve acquisitions in three years.
Jonathan Whistman – How to Build a Tech Company and Stay in the Midwest
Twitter: @jwhistman
Jonathan Whistman is the CEO and visionary behind LiveOn. He founded the company in late 2010 with
a mission to help families connect, remember, eternally preserve and share their unique heritage.
Jonathan is an entrepreneur with a strong background in sales and marketing strategies. Selling his
first company at the age of twenty-one ignited his passion for helping ideas succeed. Establishing the
consulting firm Emerge Consulting Group, he has had the privilege of working with numerous nationally
recognized companies to develop and execute effective growth strategies. He is now fulfilling his
dream of building a company that will have a positive and lasting impact on the world.
Stephanie Young – Creativity Survival Skills: Innovation in a Large Ecosystem
Creative Strategist, Editorial, Hallmark Cards
Although she was born across the street from Hallmark Cards Inc., Stephanie Young (where she’s
currently a Creative Strategist in Editorial) actually grew up in Springfield, Missouri.
She graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in creative writing-poetry and a minor
in advertising and promotion. Winner of Hallmark's Barbara Marshall Award, she studied how food
connects us during a six month sabbatical that inspired new insights for Hallmark, produced The
Pies that Bind blog and the ability to bake 11 pies in one day.
Stephanie stays creative by eating dessert first, writing every morning, and inventing new
recipes.