Grow for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners

The go-to conference to achieve rapid growth put dreams into action.

Breakout Session Tracks:

JUMPSTART YOUR BUSINESS

BOOST YOUR MARKETING & SALES

FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT

FAST-TRACK YOUR FINANCING

FAST-TRACK YOUR FINANCING

Available Resources

B2B Opportunities

7:45 TO 8:15

8:15 to 9:00

9:15 to 10:30 Session

Workshops So You Have an Idea for a

Business

Franchise Ownership: Is This the Right Path

for Me?

High Impact First

Encounters: “An Elevator Pitch to the

C-Suite”

Growing Your

Business with Free

Media

Show Me the Money:

Exploring the Options to

Financing Your Business

SPEAKERS P ersephone Zill Frank Dunne J im ColemanBritta Vander

LindenKim J acobs, P eter Mintz,

Sandy Wollman

10:45 to 12:00

Session Workshops

Refining Your Concept

Buying an Existing Business

Building Your Team

Trademarks, Copyrights and

Patents - How to Gain A

Competitive Advantage

Your Tax Preparer is Not

your Accountant

SPEAKERS Natasha RoukosHolly P erlowitz &

Calvin ChinMichael Wieser,

Esq.J ann Merchandani &

Kalynn AmadioGreg Chartier

Yuval Marcus, Esq. & Michelle Levin, Esq.

Tamara Underwood, Steve Bender

12:00 to 12:30

12:30 to 1:30

1:45 to 3:00 Session

Workshops

Marketing: Your #1

Business Generator

What's In Your Wallet?

SPEAKERSBarbara

Moroch, Mike Dardano

Ellen Rose, Felecia Sternbach

Emily Eliseo coordinator, Sandy Wollman, J eff Loehr, others

TRACKS

JUMPSTART YOUR BUSINESS FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE

MANAGEMENTBreakfast & REGISTRATION

KEYNOTE - Q&A

BOOST YOUR MARKETING & SALES

Meetings in room 226 & 2nd floor -

IDA organization

Hatching Your Great Idea

Bob Kotch & Nina Matticow

Business Plan

Bootcamp (LAB)

Atrium

LUNCH - PANEL OF ENTREPRENEURS & BUSINESS OWNERS (Nick Califano – Yonkers Brewing Company, Sunny Cover – Peekskill Coffee House, Irwin Gillian – Irwin's Barber Shop, William Abram - former president of Pragmatix - Ryford Estores, Self-cut System - Mod: John Ravitz)

Social Media Lab

A guide to Business Structure & Other Legal Matters

Alan Dillon, Esq

From Customer to Brand Ambassador

Sherry Bruck

LUNCH

To Buy or not to Buy? - Dealing with Indecisive

Sales Prospects

J ay Spielvogel

Speed Coaching

1

2

3

4

56

7

8

9 10 11 1213

14

15 1617

1819

Schedule of the Day

7:45 to 8:15 am Breakfast and Registration

8:15 to 9:00 am Welcome and Keynote Address

9:15 to 12:00 pm Workshops & Panels

12:00 to 12:30 pm Lunch & Networking

12:30 to 1:30 pm Panel of Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

1:30 to 3:00 pm Workshops & Panels

12:00 to 3:00 pm B2b Opportunities

3:00 pm Program Ends

9:15 to 10:30 pm Workshops & Panels

So you have an Idea for a Business? - Persephone Zill

If you are thinking of starting your own business, this workshop is for you. Our speaker will give you a comprehensive overview of what you need to consider before you put your time and money on the line. The discussion will help you make sure that you have fully considered every aspect of entrepreneurship and will enable you to do an entrepreneurial self-assessment.

Business Plan Bootcamp (LAB) – Holly Perlowitz, Calvin Chin

Join us for this all-day business plan bootcamp (during the 3 workshop sessions: 9:15 to 10:30; 10:45 to 12; 1:45 to 3:00) and walk away at the end of the day with a draft business plan that will address marketing, operations, financial performance and more. You know you need one – use this opportunity to create your roadmap for a successful future.

Franchise Ownership: Is this the right path for me? – Frank Dunne

Join this workshop to discuss the concept of franchising and how it does compare to other business models. Learn about Franchise ownership and the rewards & risks of owning one. Find out about the Franchise Myths Dispelled/Surprises Uncovered. Leave the room knowing what are franchising's costs and financing options. And learn how to find the franchise that is a right fit for you through tools, resources and methodologies shared in this workshop.

Social Media Lab – Jann Mirchandani & Kalynn Amadio

Want to use social media to market your business but unsure of how to develop a successful strategy? Do you wonder which channels are best for you? Would you like some expert help in polishing your business page and professional profile? Attend this two-part session workshop and leave the lab with your own social media tools in place.

Session 1: (9:15 to 10:30) will cover strategy development including time management tools so you can get it done!

Session 2: (10:45 to 12:00) will provide participants the opportunity to use classroom computers to login to existing social channels, ask specific questions about your profiles and get expert advice on how to make them shine.

1

2

3

4

High Impact First Encounters: “An Elevator Pitch to the C-Suite” – Jim Coleman

Entrepreneurs will learn how to deliver a powerful first impression on all of their first encounters with all stake holders including; prospective and current customers, investors, vendors and employees. Come ready to create your best pitch and put it into practice right away!

Growing your Business with Free Media - Britta Vander Linden

In today’s competitive marketplace, paid advertising is rarely enough. An effective profile in an unbiased, respected media outlet with a viewership of target consumers can work miracles in building a company’s brand, name recognition, and credibility. A public relations expert with extensive political, non-profit, and government experience, has secured widespread media coverage for small businesses as part of Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino’s communications team. Britta will share her techniques for using interpersonal and marketing skills to maximize business exposure, impact and success – and how to do it for free!

A Guide to Business Structure & other legal matters – Alan Dillon, Esq

Are you unsure of what type of legal structure would be better for your business? Do you have partners but no partners’ agreement? Do you need to incorporate? What’s an LLC? Join this workshop and discuss the legal structure that is best for starting or growing your business and get your questions answered.

Show Me the Money: Exploring the Options to Financing Your Business - Kimberlie Jacobs, Peter Mintz, Sandford (Sandy) Wollman, The Westchester Bank

This session will include a brief presentation about the best types of financing to use to finance the start or growth of a business including traditional bank loans, alternative lenders, crowdsourcing, friends and family, angel investors and venture capital. The panel will then be available for one on one meetings with participants about their specific financing needs.

10:45 to 12:00 pm Workshops & Panels

Refining your concept - Natasha Roukos

How do you take a creative idea and turn it into a profitable business? Our expert will take you through the maturing journey of defining the products or services you are offering, understanding who are your target clients, and why they would choose you, and growing your sales.

Buying an existing business – Michael Wieser, Esq

When considering the purchase of an existing business, there are many factors to evaluate. Our speaker will highlight the benefits of buying an existing business vs starting a new business or buying a franchise. He will cover what to look for as you investigate the prospective company and

5

7

8

6

9

10

he will share tips and tricks to hold the seller accountable to his representations. Learn effective negotiation strategies to ensure that you end up paying the best price possible.

From Customer to Brand Ambassador – Sherry Bruck

What does it take to not only get new customers, but convert them to loyal brand ambassadors who do the selling for you? The first step is understanding how your brand is perceived in the context of the competitive alternatives. With this in mind, making sure this brand position is meaningful to your target audience. Then knowing the best way to reach them, and how to hit their hot buttons. Only at this point will they comment, share, like, pin, retweet, snapchat, review! Join this workshop and you'll leave with a clear outline of the steps to create a brand strategy and messaging plan.

Building your team – Greg Chartier

It’s all about people! Finding and developing the right people to help you run your business is key to your success. Your business is only as strong as its weakest link. Our Human Resources professional will explore the finer points of interviewing, setting compensation, creating a job description and finding the right person. Leave the room with all the tools you need to buid your team.

Trademarks, Copyrights and Patents -- How to Protect Your Intellectual Property, Create Valuable Assets and Gain A Competitive Advantage – Yuval Marcus, Esq. and Michelle Levin, Esq.

Do you have a great idea? Have you protected it properly? Learn the basics about how to protect your brands, your inventions and your creative expression. Join this workshop and learn about the process of filing trademark, copyright and patent applications. The first 2 participants to join this workshop will get FREE assistance in filing a trademark application during the workshop (Government filing fees extra).

Your Tax Preparer is Not Your Accountant - Steve Bender, Joe Bernava, Moderator: Tamara Underwood

Your tax preparer says you made “X” and your accountant says you made “Y” – who’s right? Our expert will give you an inside look into the different approaches tax preparers and accountants may take your financial statements and the serious impact it can have on your ability to grow or event sell your business. Come learn what a tax preparation service can and cannot do for your business. Learn the importance of accurate and thoughtful accounting for tax time, for demonstrating your success to lenders and investors and for being able to retire and/or sell your business in the future.

12:30 to 1:30 pm Panel of Entrepreneurs & Business Owners

11

12

13

14

Learn from a terrific panel discussion featuring entrepreneurs from different industries who will share the challenges they face every day to make their companies a long term success. From services, to consumer product, from technology development to manufacturing processes – you will be surprised how much these business owners have in common as they share their daily challenges.

Panel: Nick Califano , Yonkers Brewing Company - Sunny Cover , Peekskill Coffee House - Irwin Gillian , Irwin's Barber Shop - William Abram, former president of Pragmatix - Ryford Estores, Selfcut System - Mod: John Ravitz)

1:45 to 3:00 pm Workshops and Panels

Hatching Your Great Idea - Bob Kotch & Nina Mattikow

By entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs! Come and stimulate your thoughtful ideas, and interact to define “the Great Idea”. Learn how to do a REAL competitive analysis, and then create your business, sales and marketing strategy. Learn how successful entrepreneurs work SMART, as well as hard. This is a hands on, interactive workshop that will help you create a fact based, realistic path to realizing your dream.

To Buy or not to Buy – Dealing with Indecisive Sales Prospects – Jay Spielvogel

More than ever, sales people are faced with risk aversion and status quo issues when selling. In this program we will explore why prospects get stuck and why conventional sales approaches actually compound the issue.

Participants will be introduced to a brand new approach and takeaways that can be implemented for helping existing opportunities regain momentum and new opportunities get traction.

DISCOVER:

Why prospects get stuck in the comforts zone Defense mechanisms that prospects use to protect the status quo Mistakes made when selling that create greater internal conflict for a prospect How to help a prospect overcome their ambivalence and commit

LEARN HOW TO:• Help a prospect reconnect with the issues, concerns and vision that drove their initial interest• Work with a prospect to overcome their ambivalence• Leverage” self-actualization theory” to shorten sales cycles and improve close ratios• Establish a mind-set that is more collaborative and creates a partnership with prospective clients • Reset a relationship with a prospect that has “gone dark”• Create rapport and trust with prospective clients that will lead to more referrals

15

16

17

Marketing: Your #1 Business Generator - Barbara Moroch, Mike Dardano

Find out about the key role marketing can play in building your bottom line! Learn the differences between various marketing tools - advertising, promotion, social media and others - and how to put them to work for you. You'll come away with a innovative ideas of effective and affordable ways to increase the visibility of your business, retain current clients and attract new ones.

Speed Coaching – Coaches Sandford (Sandy) Wollman, Jeff Loehr

Are you an entrepreneur, an aspiring entrepreneur or a business owner looking for advice? Do you have questions related to the strategy of your business, your product/service, your

market or any other aspect of your business and you would value an outside opinion? Take advantage of our network of small business experts who will offer their professional

advice in a short speed coaching session. Coaches will come from a range of disciplines and you will have an opportunity to speak to them in the course of this workshop session.

What's in your wallet? - Ellen Rose, Felicia Sternbach

Every business needs a solid, realistic, forward thinking plan to reach future goals. The heart of a solid business plan includes the financial strategies and goals you set for your business. Our presenters are CPAs with a large practice of small business owners who will help you learn how to develop a 3-5 year financial projection to use as a budgeting tool, to monitor the progress of your financial goals to obtain financing to grow the business. At the close of this workshop you will have a viable financial projection to include in your business plan or take to the bank!!

B2B OPPORTUNITIES

12:00 TO 3:00 Meet vendors from the Government and Private Sector

BIOS

18

19

Thomas J. Deierlein

Tom Deierlein is a West Point graduate, successful serial entrepreneur, Airborne Ranger, combat wounded military veteran, and philanthropist who co-founded the TDFoundation (www.tdfoundation.org). He is passionate about leadership development, business ethics, sales, overcoming adversity, and helping others less fortunate both locally and globally.

Tom was recently named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year, Greater Washington and is the co-founder and CEO of ThunderCat Technology (www.thundercattech.com) a systems integrator that specializes in data center solutions for the Federal government. Tom has been a single digit employee and C-level executive at many successful start-up and early stage companies including Chief Operating Officer of both Simulmedia, a start-up focused on Targeted TV ads using set-top-box data, and Dynamic Logic, a digital media start-up he helped to bring from a 7-person operation with less than $1M in revenues into a 125 person, clear market leader. Tom started his career in sales working for Johnson&Johnson and Parametric Technology Corporation in the mid-90’s. Tom is also a partner in a real estate investment firm Bull Run Properties, LLC based in Kansas City.

A Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, Tom is a retired U.S. Army Major and Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet. Graduating from United States Military Academy, West Point in 1989, Tom spent nearly five years in the military first earning his Airborne Ranger qualification and then onto various leadership positions with the Berlin Brigade. In late 2005, Tom was recalled to active duty serving as a Civil Affairs Officer in East Baghdad. In September of 2006, he was shot by a sniper and critically wounded. After 8 months of intensive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the VA Polytrauma Spinal Cord Rehab Center in Tampa Florida, Tom returned to the business world in June 2007.

In Fall of 2006 a foundation was started by Tom and others to assist Iraqi and Afghan Children. TD Foundation provides aid to children directly affected by war in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to children of wounded warriors and fallen heroes here in the US.

Tom earned a Masters of Science in Systems Management from University of Southern California in 1993 and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business in 2000. He lives with his wife and three boys in Garden City NY.

Bill AbramFormer president of Pragmatix

William Abram, MBA has been the driving force behind a broad range of high quality technology solutions designed for Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and not-‐for-profit organizations. A thought leader in information technology for more than 25 years, Bill has designed and implemented a wide range of software, networking, security, virtualization, and managed hosting solutions across many industries. Most recently, Bill’s work has concentrated in the areas of security, compliance, managed hosting, and disaster recovery/business continuity.

Bill began his career in the healthcare industry, working for several large NYC teaching hospitals, leading to a senior consulting and project management role within the healthcare systems division of McDonnell Douglas. In 1983, Bill founded a software company that developed custom applications for the healthcare and telecommunications industries.

In 1992, Bill founded Pragmatix in order to take advantage of new technologies in the area of utility computing (as it was called then). Pragmatix focused on custom software applications for improving business operations and compliance reporting, and managed services for improving IT security,

reliability, and resiliency. In 2014, Bill took advantage of industry consolidation and sold Pragmatix to Anexio, Inc.

Kalynn AmadioPrincipal, ikalynn.com

Kalynn Amadio is a digital marketing mentor for baby boomer entrepreneurs who are tired of wasting their time on social media with minimal success. She specializes in guiding savvy and motivated boomers to succeed at building a profitable business. She is the creator and host of ACT LOCAL Marketing for Small Business podcast on iTunes® and Principal of Ikalynn, LLC a digital marketing consulting, training and coaching firm in New York.

Author of the upcoming book, The Boomer’s Ultimate Guide To Social Media, Kalynn speaks regularly in the New York City Tri-state area on various aspects of digital marketing. Her realistic solutions and unexpected ideas have been featured on many business podcasts and radio shows where she shares her best secrets for success.

Steve BenderLiverzani & Bender CPAs

Steven E. Bender is a CPA, CFP with an MBA in taxation. Steven has his office in Mt. Kisco, NY. He has over 30 years of experience advising closely held businesses and individuals on tax and other business related matters. Steven’s experience includes 8 years as a Chief Financial Officer of a $150m closely held company which he helped the owners sell to a private equity firm. Prior to having his own practice, Steven was the tax partner in charge of a 15 person tax department that was part of a 65 person accounting firm as well as having worked for a large national and a large regional CPA firm. Steven lives in Westchester County with his wife and four children.

Joe BernavaFinancial Consultant, AXA Advisors

Joseph Bernava is a Financial Consultant with AXA Advisors in the White Plains office and a SCORE counselor. A resident of Yonkers for more than twenty years, and with more than twenty five years of past experience as a credit officer, Joseph understands the needs of both business owners and individuals and is dedicated to providing the highest level of service for them. His philosophies are

simple: respond to clients’ needs with products and services that are right for them, and consistently demonstrate his commitment to ethical practices and rationale. Joseph is dedicated to helping clients build secure financial futures by mapping out their financial goals, and creating benchmarks for success. IRS Enrolled Agent. NYS Athlete Agent

Sherry BruckBrand Strategist & Creative Director, Harquin Creative Group

In 1992, Sherry co-founded Harquin Creative Group (www.harquin.com), a brand strategy and marketing communications firm based in White Plains, NY. Sherry has been a trusted source of effective marketing and design solutions for a wide range of organizations and academic institutions for more than 20 years, helping educators, hospitals, libraries, government agencies, non-profits, and businesses communicate their brand vision with breakthrough campaigns.

Under Sherry's leadership Harquin has won countless awards and has been featured in Graphic Design USA, The NY Times, 914 Inc., The Westchester Business Journal, Forbes, Inc. The Journal News and more. Sherry was proud to receive the Norman Liss "Best of Public Service" award for the Ossie Davis Theater Signage in the New Rochelle Public Library.

She has also been a contributor to 914Inc., Westchester Business Journal, Philanthropy Today, Advancing Philanthrophy, and Forbes on topics from the Basics of Brand-Building to Branding in the Digital Age.

If a brand isn’t realizing its full potential, Sherry thrives on digging deep and figuring out how it fits into peoples lives.

Nick CalifanoCo-founder Yonkers Brewing Co

Yonkers Born and Raised, Nick attended Iona Prep HS in New Rochelle before sailing off to Fairfield University in CT where he Graduated with a Bachelors in Finance and Accounting.

In 2006 Nick became an official member of the “rat race”, joining General Electric in CT as an Analyst in their Financial Lending Program. Knowing a return to NY was a must, Nick Migrated back to the Big City joining Artio Global Investors in 2007- a boutique Asset Management Firm in Manhattan. Getting lost in the hustle and bustle of Finance, it wasn’t until 2011 that he realized he wasn’t truly satisfied with what he was doing. So he asked himself how he could change all that…

“I love Sales, and I love Beer.’ Why not combine the two and bring it home?” So, in 2012 he Co-Founded the Yonkers Brewing Company.

Jim Coleman Executive Director, Westchester County Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation

From his family’s farm in Lexington Kentucky to Wall Street, Jim Coleman has delivered stellar results over the last 32 years with Oscar Mayer & Co., Pepsi Cola Company, Altria Corporation, American Express, several entrepreneurial ventures, the New York State Senate and now Westchester County.

Since his appointment by County Executive Rob Astorino to be the head of Westchester’s Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation in April 2014, Jim has become one of Westchester County’s premier business advocate and deal maker, issuing over $353 million in tax exempt bond financing and tax incentives to support 20 large commercial projects whose private

investment totaled more than $560 million and created or retained more than 4,777 permanent and construction jobs.

Sunny Cover

Gregory Chartier, Ph.D. SPHRPrincipal, Office of Gregory J. Chartier

Gregory J. Chartier is Principal of The Office of Gregory J. Chartier, a Human Resources firm. His practice is based on the Business Partner Model of Human Resources, with an emphasis on outsourcing and the use of technology to gain efficiencies and to improve managerial skills.Dr. Chartier’s seminars are customized to reinforce company mission, vision, values; and culture and the content is practical for team leaders, managers, supervisors and executives. His philosophy is simple: “Management is a skill and you can be a better manager by developing your skills.”Dr. Chartier has a BA from the Military College of South Carolina, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. in Human Resources Management from Madison University. He is certified by the Society for Human Resources Management as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and as a Global Professional in Human Resources.

Calvin ChinPrincipal, 2CBig Ventures

Calvin Chin heads his own strategic advisory firm, 2C Big Ventures, which serves small to medium size organizations in the for profit and not-for-profit sectors. He provides organizational development and design services and fundraising strategy.

Prior to starting his own firm, he spent six years as the first Director of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (NY) Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program or (EI) in Manhattan. This innovative not-for-profit program uses the volunteer resources of the 6,000 member church community to support the growth of entrepreneurs, their ventures and their stakeholders, to contribute to the greater good of New York City and beyond.

Prior to helping launch the EI Program in 2007, Calvin worked in the finance industry for seventeen years. He was an Associate Managing Director in the investment banking group of Burnham Securities, Inc., a venerable firm founded by I.W. Burnham. His clients were mostly small to medium size private companies. He began his career in the investment advisory arena at Chase Manhattan and Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., where he served high net worth individuals and small businesses by managing their credit, stock, and bond portfolios.

Mike Dardano Founder and CEO BuzzPotential

Mike Dardano brings 36 years of marketing and sales experience to BuzzPotential. His company focuses on communication services that help small businesses grow their revenue and community awareness.

Prior to forming BuzzPotential, Mike was a Senior Vice President at Co-Communications where he oversaw day-to-day operations, account management, strategic and new business development, media planning, research, and event management. Mike held senior positions in marketing and advertising sales at Burst! Media, Editor and Publisher, Media Passage, and The Los Angeles Times.

Mike is an active member of The Business Council of Westchester and Rising Tides Alliance. Mike believes in supporting local charities and has recently helped raise funds for Support Connection, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, Scarsdale Public Library and North Castle Public Library. He and his wife Susan, were recently awarded the Support Connection Maria Rubino Jennings Spirit of Caring Award for their charitable work on behalf of the Yorktown based charity.

He graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.A. in Speech Communications.

Alan Dillon, Esq Co-Founder, Dillon & Dillon LLC

Alan E. Dillon, Esq. is a founding member of the law firm of Dillon & Dillon, L.L.C. and has been in practice in New York and Connecticut for over fifteen years. In addition to advising small businesses, Mr. Dillon’s areas of practice include real estate, buying and selling businesses, and civil and commercial litigation. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Dillon was a realtor in the East End of Long Island and continues to work as an independent real estate broker.

Mr. Dillon currently serves on the following boards: the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce; Alzheimer’s Association of Westchester/Rockland/Hudson Valley; Bedford Riding Lanes Association; Mr. Dillon is past president of the Bedford-armonk Rotary Club and past president of the Hispanic Business and Professional Association, Inc. Mr. Dillon is a graduate of Pace University Law School.

Frank Dunne Franchise Fit/Placement Specialist - Frannet

Mr. Dunne is a franchise specialist, and owner of FranNet of Hudson Valley - franchise coaching's oldest and most recognized franchise consultancy.

He provides counsel on the benefits, costs, and risks of franchise ownership to: aspiring business owners, those in career transition, veterans and others in opportunity-exploration mode. In addition, he helps match leading franchises that best fit each client’s goals, skills, and interests - utilizing cutting-edge profiling, and 1:1 consultative processes. Client services are at no risk/no cost, as all funding is subsidized by select franchisors.

Ryford Estores

Founder and CEO of Self-Cut System

Ryford Estores launched his company, a line of self-grooming products, in his mother’s Ossining basement in 2008. Now Estores hopes his Self-Cut System, which includes a patent-pending three-way mirror that hangs from a door, will revolutionize the way men and women think about haircuts.

Estores began cutting his own hair at 16, when he grew tired of visiting the barber every Friday to keep up with his hairstyle. Soon, he was cutting the hair of his Ossining High School classmates, and it wasn’t long before the local barber hired Estores to stave off a drop in business.

When Estores was 24, the concept for the Self-Cut System popped into his head while cutting his own hair. “It just hit me,” he recalls. “I was tired of the frustration from twisting my back and holding a mirror.” If people could see the backs of their heads and had instruction on how to cut their own hair, he believed, they too would drop the barber.

Marsha GordonPresident & CEO, Business Council of Westchester

Dr. Marsha Gordon is President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, a leading business organization throughout the region and New York State. As a proven expert in and advocate for business growth, Marsha has created a powerhouse for Westchester business, building bridges to opportunities for growth, learning, advocacy and economic development. Marsha has been called on to lead many key initiatives including the Governors Regional Council for Economic Development, where she co-chaired the strategic planning committee and serves on the Executive Committee. She also serves on the Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Council. As President of Build the Bridge Now, her leadership resulted in the replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge, with construction beginning this spring. Dr. Gordon is a graduate of Brooklyn College, has an MBA from Marist College and a Doctorate from Pace University. She also is a Ford Foundation Fellow in Regionalism and Sustainable Development.

Irwin Gillian

Kimberlie JacobsExecutive Director, Community Capital New York

Kimberlie Jacobs is the Executive Director of Community Capital New York, an SBA Certified Lender for the Hudson Valley, the Bronx and Fairfield County, CT. Community Capital is an enthusiastic supporter of small businesses and has provided loans to foster the start-up and growth of

hundreds of entrepreneurs in our region. In addition, Community Capital supports business owners with over 3000 hours of technical assistance, coaching, scholarships and support annually. Community Capital was recently awarded $1 million in new loan capital by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council to expand the types of assistance that they can provide to small business owners throughout the Hudson Valley. Previously, Ms. Jacobs served as the Deputy Director of Rochester Downtown Development Corporation and as an Economic Development Specialist for Monroe County, Rochester, NY. She spent her formative years working in her parent’s main street hardware store which gave her a deep appreciation for small business owners.

Bob Kotch Founding Partner, North Salem Partners LLC.

Bob is a Founding Partner of North Salem Partners LLC. His background includes serving as a CFO, CIO and strategy director at a Fortune 50 company, and 19 years of consulting, helping both entrepreneurs and established companies build business plans, business and technology strategies and business processes that beget business success. He is a great believer in a thorough risk assessment and strength/weakness/opportunity and threat analysis .More information about Bob is available on LinkedIn or at www.simassoc.biz.

Michelle Levin, Esq.Associate, Leason Ellis LLP

Michelle (Dorman) Levin practices in all aspects of domestic and foreign trademark prosecution. Her experience extends to a wide range of industries including luxury

goods, publishing, electronics and food and beverages.

Michelle has conducted all phases of trademark prosecution and maintenance before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including preparing and filing responses to Office Actions in all types of substantive refusals. Michelle has also conducted trademark searches and drafted opinions regarding the availability and registrability of trademarks, counseled clients regarding registration requirements in the U.S., negotiated license agreements, and conducted intellectual property due diligences.

Michelle has also assisted in copyright, trademark, and patent litigations, including extensive legal research, and prepared and filed documents for trademark opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She has also registered and maintained domain name registrations, handled UDRP proceedings, and prepared and filed copyright applications.

Jeff LoehrPartner, Stratalis Consulting

Jeff Loehr is a strategist and business leader with experience in helping companies of all sizes develop their strategy and vision then execute effectively. He has deep experience with strategy and

business creation having helped companies develop products, expand into new markets and optimize their operations.

He has been working with start-up companies for nearly two decades. He has started two consulting companies, advised various startups in Germany, the US and South Africa and been involved in evaluating companies and management teams for acquisition. He is personally an investor in early stage companies and continues to look for opportunities to invest in and work with promising businesses

Yuval Marcus, EsqPartner, Leason Ellis LLP

Yuval H. Marcus, the chair of the litigation practice at Leason Ellis, is a litigator with 20 years of experience in federal courts throughout the country. He specializes in all types of intellectual property disputes, including litigating copyright, trademark, trade dress, patent, false advertising, domain name and trade secret matters, and has consistently achieved favorable results for his clients. Working closely with his clients, he offers them practical strategies to strengthen their intellectual property rights and to avoid potential conflicts. He also routinely conducts IP due diligence in connection with potential acquisitions and investments.

Yuval has been selected to the New York Metro 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Super Lawyers in the category of Intellectual Property Litigation. He is a Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property, Computer and Telecommunications Law Committee of the Westchester County Bar Association and a member of the Intellectual Property Advisory Committee of the Westchester/Fairfield County Association of Corporate Counsel (WESFACCA). He sits on the Boards of The Business Council of Westchester, the Westchester Business and Professional Division of UJA Federation and is Board Chair of Kids X-Press.

A frequent speaker and author, he represents companies from many different industries, including technology, financial services, software, publishing, entertainment, restaurant, hotel, apparel, toy, jewelry, luxury goods, cosmetics and consumer goods.

Nina MattikowFounding Partner, North Salem Partners LLC.

Nina is a Founding Partner of North Salem Partners LLC. Her successes as a business owner and entrepreneur bring our clients a rich array of product development, marketing, sales, sourcing, licensing, IP protection and manufacturing skills that enhance their business prospects. As owner and CEO of her own business, she created and established content, innovative packaging and unique and successful sales and marketing strategies. More information about Nina is available on LinkedIn.

Peter MintzPresident Fleetwood Research, Professor King Graduate School, Monroe College

Peter is the founder and President of Fleetwood Research. He has three decades of experience as a Financial Professional and Business Consultant. Prior to forming Fleetwood, and establishing a The Alternative Board franchise in Southern Westchester, he served in various research capacities at several prominent Wall Street companies.

In 1998, Mr. Mintz founded his own firm, Fleetwood Research, to provide additional research coverage in certain situations, as well as provide support services to both public companies and financial services firms such as due diligence on investment banking clients, and the production of business plans for private companies seeking capital.

In 2002, Mr. Mintz began teaching Financial Statement Analysis at the New School as an adjunct professor. Peter has been an adjunct Professor at the King Graduate School of Monroe College in New York since 2009 where he teaches courses on Financial Statement Analysis and Managerial Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions, Mergers and Acquisitions and Entrepreneurship, as well as the core Financial Foundation workshop.

Mr. Mintz holds and M.B.A. in finance from the Bernard Baruch business school in New York City and a B.A. in political science and economics from the University of Rochester, in Rochester, New York.

Jann MirchandaniOwner, Westchester Marketing Cafe LLC

Jann is the principal and creative engine behind Westchester Marketing Cafe LLC. Jann is an award-winning website designer specializing in online marketing strategy and implementation for small and mid-sized businesses and nonprofits. Jann joins her 20-plus years of marketing experience with the technical expertise to execute online marketing strategies for the real world.

She is a frequent speaker to business groups on leveraging social media and inbound marketing. She is an active member of the Business Council of Westchester and the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber and has previously served on the board of AAUW New York State.

Barbara MorochWrite on NY

Barbara Moroch is marketing media professional with over 15 years of experience as a writer, editor and communications expert. She was formerly Director of Marketing Communications for The Journal News Media Group, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Her specialties include creating integrated marketing solutions for large and small businesses, project management, writing, editing, graphic design, presentations, and identifying opportunities for clients.

Holly PerlowitzBusiness Development Manager – Community Capital NY

Holly Perlowitz, CPA, serves as Business Development Manager. An experienced financial services professional with expertise in lending, operations, compliance and accounting/finance, Holly began her career in public accounting with Deloitte, followed by Chase and then Emigrant Bank, where she held a senior management role at Emigrant Mortgage Company.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from St. Thomas Aquinas College and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has served on the Board of Family Services of Westchester and chairs a committee for the Relay for Life Event in Ossining.

Nickay PiperPresident, Market Grub Media, LLC

Nickay Piper is a Speaker, Instructor and President of NYC based Digital Marketing Agency, Market Grub Media LLC. Nickay has wowed companies small and large with her already paramount accomplishments and impressive know how within the Social Media Marketing arenas. She currently serves Fortune 500 and middle market companies in the New York Metropolitan.

Nickay is able to share her passion for education and small business development as an Adjunct Professor at SUNY Westchester Community College, where she has developed one of the college’s first “Social Media Marketing for Businesses” certification courses.

Nickay’s is a recipient of the “National Academic Award of Excellence’ from former President Bill Clinton, The JP Morgan Chase Urban Debate League Scholarship. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in New Media Communications from SUNY Purchase.

John Ravitz Executive Vice President, The Business Council of Westchester

As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, John oversees the Business Council’s legislative, government affairs and community relations, and plays a key role in developing and expanding membership services.

Prior to joining the Business Council team, John, who is a former New York State Assemblyman, was Chief Operating Officer of the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross and Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross in Westchester County. He also once served as Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections.

John was elected six times to the State Assembly representing the East Side of Manhattan. In his 12 years as a state legislator, he was ranking member of the Health Committee, and served on the Higher Education, Education, Mental Health and Children and Families committees. As Assistant Minority Leader he coordinated key legislation before the Assembly and as Assistant Minority Whip he directed floor debate for the 52 members of the Assembly Minority Conference. As a community advocate, John has organized more than 60 town hall meetings on a wide range of issues.

He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Mayor’s Action Committee’s Legislative Recognition Award, the New York City Council’s Community Service Award, the New York State

Conference of Mayor’s Good Government Legislative Award and the Burden Center for Aging’s Lifetime Recognition Award.

Ellen RoseFounder – Sternnbach & Rose CPAs

Ellen’s experience includes over twenty-five years of Public Accounting, Corporate Audit, Operational Audit, Internal Controls Audit and Fraud Investigation. Member of; Senior Management Team, Information Technology Steering Committee, Project Leader, Systems Conversion Team, FDICIA/COSO/Sarbanes-Oxley Implementation Team; of various organizations.

Member of the AICPA, Professional Women of Westchester, Professional Women of Putnam, Professional Networkers of Westchester, Volunteer for Women’s Enterprise Development Center and member of National Conference of CPA Practitioners.

Ellen has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Arizona, a Double Major in Accounting and Management Information Systems and she is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor.

Natasha RoukosChairman, Score Westchester

Natasha Roukos is the Chairman of SCORE Weschester. SCORE is an all-volunteer organization that helps small businesses start and grow. Ms. Roukos has 33 years of experience in engineering, management consulting, and mergers and acquisitions, working in both small and large firms. She recently retired from IBM where she was an executive in charge of integrating newly acquired companies into IBM and growing their business. She believes that there are are 3 essential elements for successful sustainable growth, both personally and on the organizational level: passion, discipline and the willingness to evolve; and those are her guiding principles at SCORE Westchester.

Jay SpielvogelVenator Sales Group

Jay serves as the CEO and Vice President of Sales for Venator Sales Group. He utilizes his vast experience in sales and sales management to work with each client rolling out a team along with targeted messaging and sales processes. After graduating from the Bentley College in Waltham, Ma, Jay began a career managing the metro NY sales territory for the digital imaging division of Mitsubishi International. Several years later, he went on to become a regional sales manager responsible for both corporate and reseller sales for the northern US region. Following his tenure at Mitsubishi, Jay founded and eventually sold a multi-million dollar graphic equipment and software business. Prior to starting Venator Sales Group, Jay spent several years selling enterprise software as well as consulting and coaching sales and sales management teams on sales process re-engineering.

Throughout his career Jay has sold solutions to corporations of all sizes from small start-up ventures to large fortune 1000 corporations

Felecia Sternbach Founder – Sternnbach & Rose CPAs

Felecia’s experience includes over twenty-five years of Public Accounting, which includes audits of financial statements for both SEC and non-SEC clients, internal audit reviews and risk assessments, compliance and third-party audits, income tax preparation for businesses, individuals, and non-profits, and income tax planning.

Member of the AICPA, Professional Women of Westchester, Professional Women of Putnam, Professional Networkers of Westchester, Volunteer for Women’s Enterprise Development Center, member of National Conference of CPA Practitioners.

Felecia has a B.B.A. in Accounting from Dowling College, Oakdale, NY and she is a Certified Public Accountant.

Tamara UnderwoodVice President, New York Business Development Corporation

Tamara has twenty years international and US experience working in the small business lending and enterprise support field. Tamara is the NYBDC Loan Officer for Westchester and Rockland counties. NYBDC was formed by and for the banks of New York State in 1955 to facilitate access to capital for small businesses unable to secure conventional financing from their bank of account. NYBDC participates with banks, provides direct loans and obtains SBA 7(a) guarantees where needed. NYBDC’s sister company Empire State CDC is certified to provide financing under the SBA 504 Loan program which assists small businesses in the acquisition of real estate, equipment purchase and improvement of owned or leased real estate. Tamara has an MA in International Economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BA from UC Berkeley.

Britta Vander LindenCommunications Specialist/Economic Development LiaisonOffice of County Executive Robert P. Astorino

Britta Vander Linden is an accomplished communications strategist, currently managing press and public relations for Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino. In this capacity, Britta focuses primarily on building awareness about the county executive’s economic development programs and promoting the county’s resources to the business community.

Among the beneficiaries of Britta’s strategic communication efforts is Westchester’s Industrial Development Agency, which achieved a record level of activity in 2014, supporting 16 commercial, residential and retail projects that will create more than 3,800 permanent and construction jobs.

Britta also focuses her efforts as the author of “Lymphedema Diary," a health advocacy blog that is followed by readers from more than 100 countries. As a result of Britta’s contributions and

accomplishments, she was awarded the prestigious Business Council of Westchester’s 2014 ‘Rising Star 40 Under Forty’ honor. Britta holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Pace University, graduating as an Edwin G. Michaelian Excellence in Government Scholar. Britta and her husband Luke live in Bedford Hills.

Michael J. Wieser, Esq. MJ Wieser Law | Legal Counsel for Business Growth

After 23 years as both a small business lawyer and a 5-time serial entrepreneur (including a multimillion dollar tech business), everything Michael experienced lead him to creating a unique law practice to work with innovative entrepreneurs helping them launch, reach their goals and achieve their full potential. Michael’s clients retain him to be part of their teams as their outside general counsel. Whether buying an existing business, launching a new company from an idea or buying a franchise, clients benefit from Michael's counsel toward creating stability, protection and the proper foundation that enables the company to successfully grow and achieve its business goals. Finally, through his proprietary Legal Managed Services Program, Michael has done away with hourly billing and works with clients effectively and affordably. Michael can be reached at 914-462-3850 or mjw@mjwieserlaw.com.

Sandy WollmanPresident & Founder SBAA

Sandford (Sandy) Wollman is the hands on President and Founder of the Small Business Advisory Alliance (SBAA), a non-profit organization created to help small business owners and their employees in our community. Having over 25 years of experience as a business owner, financial planner and investor, Sandy has experienced it all. Through the SBAA, Sandy will share his knowledge and experience to help start up and existing small business owners succeed and to provide financial literacy in our community. By closing his financial planning practice Sandy is able to devote his full time to the SBAA and other community pro bono programs.

Persephone Zill, MBAProgram Director, Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC)

Persephone Zill has been with the Women's Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) for the last 6 years and has a strong background in entrepreneurial program development, event management and business counseling. Prior to WEDC, Ms. Zill served as the Director of Training at the former American Woman's Economic Development Corporation (AWED) in New York City. In addition, she devoted more than ten years to supporting women entrepreneurs through her own coaching practice in Westchester County. She also served as the Co-leader of the Westchester/Rockland International Coaching Federation (ICF) Chapter. Ms. Zill earned a BA degree from Barnard College in

American Studies and has an MBA in Management/Entrepreneurship from Baruch College of the City University of New York.