http://www.tei.net/ en-us © 1990 - 2008 The Entrepreneurship Institute The Entrepreneurship Institute The Entrepreneurship Institute Founded in 1976, TEI's primary mission is to provide 24/7 opportunities for business owners to acquire knowledge, experience and resources needed to achieve their goals. TEI is dedicated to meeting the knowledge and networking needs of America's small and mid-market company presidents. When presidents can learn from each other what works and can tap the expertise of top level professionals who serve on our advisory boards, they are better able to lead their companies to stronger profits and sustained growth. This creates wealth and jobs, both of which are good for America. TEI's education programs, networking opportunities and business communications are targeted at the presidents of existing multi-million dollar enterprises. A growth orientation is a key criteria for invitation to Institute learning programs such as the President's Forum. TEI is composed of local institute chapters which are advised and sponsored by local advisory boards. These local boards are comprised of successful business owners and professionals such as bankers, accountants, business attorneys, investors, marketing and management consultants, and other small and mid-market business service providers. Founded in 1976, TEI's primary mission is to provide 24/7 opportunities for business owners to acquire knowledge, experience and resources needed to achieve their goals. TEI is dedicated to meeting the knowledge and networking needs of America's small and mid-market company presidents. When presidents can learn from each other what works and can tap the expertise of top level professionals who serve on our advisory boards, they are better able to lead their companies to stronger profits and sustained growth. This creates wealth and jobs, both of which are good for America. TEI's education programs, networking opportunities and business communications are targeted at the presidents of existing multi-million dollar enterprises. A growth orientation is a key criteria for invitation to Institute learning programs such as the President's Forum. TEI is composed of local institute chapters which are advised and sponsored by local advisory boards. These local boards are comprised of successful business owners and professionals such as bankers, accountants, business attorneys, investors, marketing and management consultants, and other small and mid-market business service providers. Jan Zupnick janz@tei.net http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=74 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/KansasCity/KC08Anthony-podcast.mp3 Matt Anthony is the driving force behind VML's amazing growth and enduring success. In 1995, when Matt joined the small Kansas City-based agency as its fourth partner, VML had one major client and fewer than 10 employees. Since then, the one-time traditional shop has emerged as one of the most important interactive marketing agencies operating today. With more than 750 employees on three continents, the VML Digital Network provides industry leading work for some of the world's most recognized and respected brands, including adidas, Bayer, Burger King, Cadbury Schweppes, Colgate-Palmolive, Ernst & Young, Ford, Microsoft, Motorola, Sprint Nextel, Vanguard and Xerox – to name just a few. Matt's direct influence on VML's steady expansion has been evident every step of the way. With a deep background in traditional advertising, as well as experience in promotions and media relations, Matt didn't hesitate to explore interactive possibilities during the infancy of the internet. Matt and his core leadership team – most of who have worked at the agency for ten years or longer – transformed VML into a digital marketing force. In 2001, Matt guided VML's decision to join the WPP Group of leading communication agencies. The result has been unprecedented expansion for VML. As he predicted, WPP network opportunities not only led to exciting new partner projects, they also strengthened VML direct client relationships. Throughout his career, Matt has been a tireless supporter of philanthropic endeavors and community causes. In memory of his brother Chris, who suffered from a Glioblastoma brain tumor and died in 2003 at the age of 37, Matt and his family established the Head for the Cure Foundation to raise awareness and funding for brain cancer research. The annual highlight is the Head for the Cure 5K Run & Walk held each September; proceeds from the event help fund the Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative (BTTC). Matt is also the motivating energy behind the VML Foundation, which manages the agency's extensive community outreach program, including direct funding, employee volunteerism, and pro bono work for charitable organizations. Currently, more than 60 percent of all VMLers are active members of the VML Foundation. Additionally, employees are provided two paid days to volunteer at the not-for-profit of their choice; once a year, on VML Foundation Day, the entire company joins forces in support of a single cause. A native Nebraskan, Matt played intercollegiate soccer at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communications in 1981. He currently serves on Benedictine's executive board. Away from the office, Matt spends time with his wife Ann and their three children, Danny, Mary and Steven. Matt holds various leadership roles within WPP and its strategic planning groups, as well as volunteer board positions with AAAA (American Association of Advertising Agencies), American Cancer Society's Chairman Circle, Catholic Charities, Catholic Education Foundation, Council on Foreign Relations, Head for the Cure Foundation and VML Foundation. Podcasts Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Matt Anthony, CEO of VML, Inc. Matt Anthony is the driving force behind VML's amazing growth and enduring success. In 1995, when Matt joined the small Kansas City-based agency as its fourth partner, VML had one major client and fewer than 10 employees. Since then, the one-time traditional shop has emerged as one of the most important interactive marketing agencies operating today. With more than 750 employees on three continents, the VML Digital Network provides industry leading work for some of the world's most recognized and respected brands, including adidas, Bayer, Burger King, Cadbury Schweppes, Colgate-Palmolive, Ernst & Young, Ford, Microsoft, Motorola, Sprint Nextel, Vanguard and Xerox – to name just a few. Matt's direct influence on VML's steady expansion has been evident every step of the way. With a deep background in traditional advertising, as well as experience in promotions and media relations, Matt didn't hesitate to explore interactive possibilities during the infancy of the internet. Matt and his core leadership team – most of who have worked at the agency for ten years or longer – transformed VML into a digital marketing force. In 2001, Matt guided VML's decision to join the WPP Group of leading communication agencies. The result has been unprecedented expansion for VML. As he predicted, WPP network opportunities not only led to exciting new partner projects, they also strengthened VML direct client relationships. Throughout his career, Matt has been a tireless supporter of philanthropic endeavors and community causes. In memory of his brother Chris, who suffered from a Glioblastoma brain tumor and died in 2003 at the age of 37, Matt and his family established the Head for the Cure Foundation to raise awareness and funding for brain cancer research. The annual highlight is the Head for the Cure 5K Run & Walk held each September; proceeds from the event help fund the Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative (BTTC). Matt is also the motivating energy behind the VML Foundation, which manages the agency's extensive community outreach program, including direct funding, employee volunteerism, and pro bono work for charitable organizations. Currently, more than 60 percent of all VMLers are active members of the VML Foundation. Additionally, employees are provided two paid days to volunteer at the not-for-profit of their choice; once a year, on VML Foundation Day, the entire company joins forces in support of a single cause. A native Nebraskan, Matt played intercollegiate soccer at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communications in 1981. He currently serves on Benedictine's executive board. Away from the office, Matt spends time with his wife Ann and their three children, Danny, Mary and Steven. Matt holds various leadership roles within WPP and its strategic planning groups, as well as volunteer board positions with AAAA (American Association of Advertising Agencies), American Cancer Society's Chairman Circle, Catholic Charities, Catholic Education Foundation, Council on Foreign Relations, Head for the Cure Foundation and VML Foundation. 00:50:54 Matt Anthony, CEO of VML, Inc. No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=75 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/KansasCity/KC08Barton-podcast.mp3 Entrepreneur Tim Barton founded Freightquote.com® in August of 1998. Tim's accomplishments have been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine listing him in the top five of their Hot 100 ranking; Ernst and Young with Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Computerworld Honors Program for his leadership. Also, Forbes Magazine has listed Freightquote.com among their Best of the Web rankings. Formerly, Tim was the President and Co-founder of UWI Association Programs, a telecommunications company that concentrated on long distance affinity programs for commercial trade associations. Under his leadership, the company reached $22 million in annualized revenues and became part of Network Long Distance, a publicly traded, switch-based carrier with $110 million in annualized revenues. As President of the resulting company, he merged the organization with IXC Communications (now Broadwing Communications) in June of 1998. Tim holds an MS in Finance from LSU and a BS in Business from the University of Kansas Podcasts Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Tim Barton, CEO of Freightquote.com Entrepreneur Tim Barton founded Freightquote.com® in August of 1998. Tim's accomplishments have been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine listing him in the top five of their Hot 100 ranking; Ernst and Young with Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Computerworld Honors Program for his leadership. Also, Forbes Magazine has listed Freightquote.com among their Best of the Web rankings. Formerly, Tim was the President and Co-founder of UWI Association Programs, a telecommunications company that concentrated on long distance affinity programs for commercial trade associations. Under his leadership, the company reached $22 million in annualized revenues and became part of Network Long Distance, a publicly traded, switch-based carrier with $110 million in annualized revenues. As President of the resulting company, he merged the organization with IXC Communications (now Broadwing Communications) in June of 1998. Tim holds an MS in Finance from LSU and a BS in Business from the University of Kansas 00:35:17 Tim Barton, CEO of Freightquote.com No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=68 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/Dallas/DAL08Tindell-podcast.mp3 “Fill the other guy’s basket to the brim, then making money becomes an easy proposition.” Kip Tindell began shaping his philosophy toward business as a student at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. And it was while he was in high school that he would begin shaping a flair for retailing that would later turn an industry on its ear. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tindell’s family moved to Dallas when he was in the fifth grade. While still in high school, he took a job working in the paint department at Montgomery Ward in 1969. Not only did Tindell become a superstar salesperson, but he also forged a close friendship with Garrett Boone (Chairman Emeritus), his future business partner. That friendship lasted through Tindell’s college years as an English major at The University of Texas, and at Storehouse, a chain of lifestyle furniture stores, in Austin in 1972. Tindell worked his way through college at Storehouse, where Boone was a regional manager. After college, Tindell authored a syndicated column on Southwest regional literature, featuring the state’s top fiction writers. At the same time, Tindell’s talent for retailing continued to thrive. As the concept for The Container Store began to develop, the first challenge was to find products to sell. Tindell and Boone often had to persuade manufacturers to supply them with retail merchandise. Initially, almost all of the products that they wanted to sell were developed for commercial use only and were not available to consumers. But once manufacturers realized the prospect of a profitable consumer market for its products, they were eager to supply them. And many of those commercial products helped to clearly define the original concept – to sell multifunctional, storage and organization products that would save customers space and time. The Container Store’s first location opened at Preston Road and Forest Lane in North Dallas on July 1, 1978. Mason’s tool bags as overnight bags, egg baskets as carryalls and wire leaf burners as toy barrels, were just a few of the original products Tindell and Boone merchandised in the 1,600 square foot space. The store outgrew its space within a year, and by 1980 had expanded twice. Eventually, the company’s first store would have to move across the street to find room for an ever-increasing inventory. More than 29 years later, The Container Store has 40 stores across the country. Stores currently average 25,000 square feet. And, with 2007 fiscal year sales projected at an excess of $600 million, the originators of the storage and organization category of retailing remain the leaders in an industry that continues to thrive. Retail analysts cite the company’s devotion to the original concept as the formula for its success, noting that other retailers haven’t focused on an inventory mix solely devoted to storage and organization products like The Container Store. But for Tindell, the goal never has been growth for growth’s sake. Rather, it is to adhere to a fundamental set of corporate values, centered around strict merchandising, superior customer service and intense employee commitment. Growth and success have been the natural and inevitable result. Tindell continues to embody the unique corporate culture he created, which empowers employees to use their own intuition and creativity to solve problems – instead of referring to the proverbial procedural manual. Thus, he has nurtured a fierce loyalty to the company, which has an incredible number of career employees – who might never have dreamed of a career in retail. In fact, that culture has propelled The Container Store to the top of FORTUNE magazine’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” eight years in a row. In 2006, along with wife Sharon Tindell (Chief Merchandising Officer) and Boone, Tindell was inducted into the Retailing Hall of Fame. Tindell, 54, enjoys traveling with his wife, fly fishing, golf, and gardening. He is actively involved in the community as an Executive Board Member of the Circle Ten Council for the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving families in the Greater Dallas area, and the Save the Cathedral campaign, a restoration project for Dallas’ century-old Cathedral Guadalupe. Tindell also serves on the board at both Goodwill Industries and the National Retail Federation (NRF). Podcasts Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Kip Tindell, Chairman & CEO of The Container Store “Fill the other guy’s basket to the brim, then making money becomes an easy proposition.” Kip Tindell began shaping his philosophy toward business as a student at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. And it was while he was in high school that he would begin shaping a flair for retailing that would later turn an industry on its ear. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tindell’s family moved to Dallas when he was in the fifth grade. While still in high school, he took a job working in the paint department at Montgomery Ward in 1969. Not only did Tindell become a superstar salesperson, but he also forged a close friendship with Garrett Boone (Chairman Emeritus), his future business partner. That friendship lasted through Tindell’s college years as an English major at The University of Texas, and at Storehouse, a chain of lifestyle furniture stores, in Austin in 1972. Tindell worked his way through college at Storehouse, where Boone was a regional manager. After college, Tindell authored a syndicated column on Southwest regional literature, featuring the state’s top fiction writers. At the same time, Tindell’s talent for retailing continued to thrive. As the concept for The Container Store began to develop, the first challenge was to find products to sell. Tindell and Boone often had to persuade manufacturers to supply them with retail merchandise. Initially, almost all of the products that they wanted to sell were developed for commercial use only and were not available to consumers. But once manufacturers realized the prospect of a profitable consumer market for its products, they were eager to supply them. And many of those commercial products helped to clearly define the original concept – to sell multifunctional, storage and organization products that would save customers space and time. The Container Store’s first location opened at Preston Road and Forest Lane in North Dallas on July 1, 1978. Mason’s tool bags as overnight bags, egg baskets as carryalls and wire leaf burners as toy barrels, were just a few of the original products Tindell and Boone merchandised in the 1,600 square foot space. The store outgrew its space within a year, and by 1980 had expanded twice. Eventually, the company’s first store would have to move across the street to find room for an ever-increasing inventory. More than 29 years later, The Container Store has 40 stores across the country. Stores currently average 25,000 square feet. And, with 2007 fiscal year sales projected at an excess of $600 million, the originators of the storage and organization category of retailing remain the leaders in an industry that continues to thrive. Retail analysts cite the company’s devotion to the original concept as the formula for its success, noting that other retailers haven’t focused on an inventory mix solely devoted to storage and organization products like The Container Store. But for Tindell, the goal never has been growth for growth’s sake. Rather, it is to adhere to a fundamental set of corporate values, centered around strict merchandising, superior customer service and intense employee commitment. Growth and success have been the natural and inevitable result. Tindell continues to embody the unique corporate culture he created, which empowers employees to use their own intuition and creativity to solve problems – instead of referring to the proverbial procedural manual. Thus, he has nurtured a fierce loyalty to the company, which has an incredible number of career employees – who might never have dreamed of a career in retail. In fact, that culture has propelled The Container Store to the top of FORTUNE magazine’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” eight years in a row. In 2006, along with wife Sharon Tindell (Chief Merchandising Officer) and Boone, Tindell was inducted into the Retailing Hall of Fame. Tindell, 54, enjoys traveling with his wife, fly fishing, golf, and gardening. He is actively involved in the community as an Executive Board Member of the Circle Ten Council for the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving families in the Greater Dallas area, and the Save the Cathedral campaign, a restoration project for Dallas’ century-old Cathedral Guadalupe. Tindell also serves on the board at both Goodwill Industries and the National Retail Federation (NRF). 00:29:26 Kip Tindell, Chairman & CEO of The Container Store No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=69 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/Dallas/DAL08Williams-podcast.mp3 Mr. Williams served as the Chairman of Trammell Crow Company from 1994 until May 2002. Prior to serving in that role, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trammell Crow from 1990 to 1994 and was managing partner from 1977 to 1990. In addition, he serves as a director of Belo Corp. In 1995, Mr. Williams founded the Foundation for Community Empowerment to assist in redeveloping low-income neighborhoods in Dallas. He also serves on the boards of a number of foundations, including the Hoblitzelle Foundation. Mr. Williams is a member of the Leadership Council of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and is a trustee of Dallas Medical Resource. Mr. Williams received his bachelor of science degree from Abilene Christian University and his L.L.B. from George Washington University Law School. Mr. Williams was elected to the Board in March 2005. The J. McDonald Williams Institute, established by the Foundation for Community Empowerment in 2005, harnesses the most rigorous analytical tools and methods available to clarify the complex issues faced by the residents of distressed communities. The Institute’s holistic research strategy brings the interdisciplinary perspectives of six focal areas to bear on the most pressing problems facing our communities. These include Education, Crime and Safety, Health, Housing, Social Capital, and Economic Development. In 1995, J. McDonald “Don” Williams retired as chairman emeritus of Trammell Crow Company. Don wanted to give back to communities in Dallas that had missed out on urban revitalization, education reform, and other waves of progress, resulting in significant disparities in quality of life for residents of those communities. After researching nonprofit organizations around the country, he created the Foundation for Community Empowerment, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, as a catalyst for comprehensive efforts to transform low-income neighborhoods in southern Dallas and to build a replicable model for urban revitalization. The FCE team began building a network of caring, dedicated organizations that would one day become a network of partners that are the backbone of true community change in Dallas. In 2003, Don Williams and the FCE team realized there was a need for structured inquiry into the changing community conditions in Dallas, so they formed a research unit. The small research team was successful in building partnerships with faculty from local universities, colleagues in similar nonprofit agencies, and policy makers. In 2005, it became clear that the true nature of disparities in Dallas could not be fully understood without an appreciation for the context of disparities affecting urban communities across the country. Recognizing the need for an objective voice for public policy change in Dallas and around the nation, FCE established the J. McDonald Williams Institute as a source of objective research and policy recommendations relevant to urban revitalization and quality of life. The Institute’s roots in a community-building organization give its research a spirit unique among its peers. While many institutes engage in “research for the sake of research,” the Institute truly believes the fruits of its research must serve the underserved by motivating the caliber of sustainable change necessary to improve quality of life and build a better city, nation, and world. Today, the Williams Institute assists FCE in setting its strategic direction and areas of focus, while FCE’s deep relationships within the community help the Institute to realize its vision of motivating lasting change. Podcasts Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute J. McDonald Williams, Retired Chairman & CEO/Founder & Chairman of Foundation for Community Empowerment Mr. Williams served as the Chairman of Trammell Crow Company from 1994 until May 2002. Prior to serving in that role, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trammell Crow from 1990 to 1994 and was managing partner from 1977 to 1990. In addition, he serves as a director of Belo Corp. In 1995, Mr. Williams founded the Foundation for Community Empowerment to assist in redeveloping low-income neighborhoods in Dallas. He also serves on the boards of a number of foundations, including the Hoblitzelle Foundation. Mr. Williams is a member of the Leadership Council of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and is a trustee of Dallas Medical Resource. Mr. Williams received his bachelor of science degree from Abilene Christian University and his L.L.B. from George Washington University Law School. Mr. Williams was elected to the Board in March 2005. The J. McDonald Williams Institute, established by the Foundation for Community Empowerment in 2005, harnesses the most rigorous analytical tools and methods available to clarify the complex issues faced by the residents of distressed communities. The Institute’s holistic research strategy brings the interdisciplinary perspectives of six focal areas to bear on the most pressing problems facing our communities. These include Education, Crime and Safety, Health, Housing, Social Capital, and Economic Development. In 1995, J. McDonald “Don” Williams retired as chairman emeritus of Trammell Crow Company. Don wanted to give back to communities in Dallas that had missed out on urban revitalization, education reform, and other waves of progress, resulting in significant disparities in quality of life for residents of those communities. After researching nonprofit organizations around the country, he created the Foundation for Community Empowerment, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, as a catalyst for comprehensive efforts to transform low-income neighborhoods in southern Dallas and to build a replicable model for urban revitalization. The FCE team began building a network of caring, dedicated organizations that would one day become a network of partners that are the backbone of true community change in Dallas. In 2003, Don Williams and the FCE team realized there was a need for structured inquiry into the changing community conditions in Dallas, so they formed a research unit. The small research team was successful in building partnerships with faculty from local universities, colleagues in similar nonprofit agencies, and policy makers. In 2005, it became clear that the true nature of disparities in Dallas could not be fully understood without an appreciation for the context of disparities affecting urban communities across the country. Recognizing the need for an objective voice for public policy change in Dallas and around the nation, FCE established the J. McDonald Williams Institute as a source of objective research and policy recommendations relevant to urban revitalization and quality of life. The Institute’s roots in a community-building organization give its research a spirit unique among its peers. While many institutes engage in “research for the sake of research,” the Institute truly believes the fruits of its research must serve the underserved by motivating the caliber of sustainable change necessary to improve quality of life and build a better city, nation, and world. Today, the Williams Institute assists FCE in setting its strategic direction and areas of focus, while FCE’s deep relationships within the community help the Institute to realize its vision of motivating lasting change. 00:32:57 J. McDonald Williams, Retired Chairman & CEO/Founder & Chairman of Foundation for Community Empowerment No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=70 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/Dallas/DAL08Harvill-podcast.mp3 Described as an educator, trainer and most importantly a catalyst, Stephen Harvill has developed dynamic approaches to the learning process. A holistic approach, that integrates multimedia and participatory techniques, brings his cutting edge ideas to life. Engaging and inspiring, his ideas, together with the most current knowledge. Described as an educator, trainer and most importantly a catalyst, Stephen Harvill has developed dynamic approaches to the learning process. A holistic approach, that integrates multimedia and participatory techniques, brings his cutting edge ideas to life. Engaging and inspiring, his ideas, together with the most current knowledge available, influence the very way his audiences think. Couple this with an infectious and boundless energy and his presentations connect well past the end of the program. Leadership, skill development and strategic thinking headline the topics Stephen Harvill brings to his audiences. A scientific background with experience in organizational dynamics creates the perfect combination to help companies find the opportunity and leverage that exists in a rapidly changing world. Stephen's ideas will open your eyes and heart to the power found in the inspired mind. An author, consultant and strategic partner to Fortune 500 companies and National not-for-profit organizations, his schedule has him traversing the globe. His ability to customize his presentations to meet clients' requirements is one of his trademarks, creating a sense that he is speaking directly to their needs. For 20 years, Stephen Harvill has remained one of the most requested speakers in the country. Podcasts Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Stephen Harvill, President of Creative Ventures Described as an educator, trainer and most importantly a catalyst, Stephen Harvill has developed dynamic approaches to the learning process. A holistic approach, that integrates multimedia and participatory techniques, brings his cutting edge ideas to life. Engaging and inspiring, his ideas, together with the most current knowledge. Described as an educator, trainer and most importantly a catalyst, Stephen Harvill has developed dynamic approaches to the learning process. A holistic approach, that integrates multimedia and participatory techniques, brings his cutting edge ideas to life. Engaging and inspiring, his ideas, together with the most current knowledge available, influence the very way his audiences think. Couple this with an infectious and boundless energy and his presentations connect well past the end of the program. Leadership, skill development and strategic thinking headline the topics Stephen Harvill brings to his audiences. A scientific background with experience in organizational dynamics creates the perfect combination to help companies find the opportunity and leverage that exists in a rapidly changing world. Stephen's ideas will open your eyes and heart to the power found in the inspired mind. An author, consultant and strategic partner to Fortune 500 companies and National not-for-profit organizations, his schedule has him traversing the globe. His ability to customize his presentations to meet clients' requirements is one of his trademarks, creating a sense that he is speaking directly to their needs. For 20 years, Stephen Harvill has remained one of the most requested speakers in the country. 00:28:31 Stephen Harvill, President of Creative Ventures No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=62 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/LosAngeles/LA08Sharp-podcast.mp3 Seena Sharp is a pioneer in Competitive Intelligence, founding the first CI company in the US in 1979 in Los Angeles. Previously, she began her corporate career in New York City with four companies and earned her masters degree in mathematics from New York University. She has been widely published in the business press, speaks throughout the US and Europe, and is writing a book on Competitive Intelligence for John Wiley Publishers. Seena has been recognized by her professional association, SCIP (Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals), receiving their Fellows Award for her innovative approach and strategic analysis of markets, products, industries, and emerging competitive environments. She is passionate about the significant value of CI and delighted to detail her pragmatic techniques for early warning signs. All attendees will receive a handout of Best Business Sources. Company Bio: Sharp Market Intelligence specializes in ferreting out strategic business information for growing companies, who are entering a new industry, expanding their current line, targeting a different customer base or distribution channel, or preparing their strategic plan. In addition to analyzing industries and markets, they uncover market drivers, substitute products or services, unknown customers, external competitive forces, emerging competitors, alternative uses, barriers to entry, discontinuities, growth opportunities and threats. And when companies have too much information, but not the time or staff to analyze it, Sharp Synthesis turns that information into actionable intelligence. The company serves as an outsourced CI department for Fortune 500 firms, as well as for less familiar names in the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Clients include American Express, Chase Manhattan Bank, Rubbermaid, Nissan, McKinsey Consulting, Hilton Hotels, Nestle, and the National Gallery of Art (DC). Their sophisticated and multifaceted methodology has been applied to investigations of the auto market, financial services, pharmaceuticals, law enforcement, Generation Y, prison phones, wrestling equipment, and chocolate. They publish the popular SharpInsights, brief early warnings of US and global market changes; free subscriptions at www.sharpmarket.com. Podcasts Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Seena Sharp, Principal of Sharp Market Intelligence Seena Sharp is a pioneer in Competitive Intelligence, founding the first CI company in the US in 1979 in Los Angeles. Previously, she began her corporate career in New York City with four companies and earned her masters degree in mathematics from New York University. She has been widely published in the business press, speaks throughout the US and Europe, and is writing a book on Competitive Intelligence for John Wiley Publishers. Seena has been recognized by her professional association, SCIP (Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals), receiving their Fellows Award for her innovative approach and strategic analysis of markets, products, industries, and emerging competitive environments. She is passionate about the significant value of CI and delighted to detail her pragmatic techniques for early warning signs. All attendees will receive a handout of Best Business Sources. Company Bio: Sharp Market Intelligence specializes in ferreting out strategic business information for growing companies, who are entering a new industry, expanding their current line, targeting a different customer base or distribution channel, or preparing their strategic plan. In addition to analyzing industries and markets, they uncover market drivers, substitute products or services, unknown customers, external competitive forces, emerging competitors, alternative uses, barriers to entry, discontinuities, growth opportunities and threats. And when companies have too much information, but not the time or staff to analyze it, Sharp Synthesis turns that information into actionable intelligence. The company serves as an outsourced CI department for Fortune 500 firms, as well as for less familiar names in the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Clients include American Express, Chase Manhattan Bank, Rubbermaid, Nissan, McKinsey Consulting, Hilton Hotels, Nestle, and the National Gallery of Art (DC). Their sophisticated and multifaceted methodology has been applied to investigations of the auto market, financial services, pharmaceuticals, law enforcement, Generation Y, prison phones, wrestling equipment, and chocolate. They publish the popular SharpInsights, brief early warnings of US and global market changes; free subscriptions at www.sharpmarket.com. 00:27:14 Seena Sharp, Principal of Sharp Market Intelligence No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=63 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/LosAngeles/LA08Carey-podcast.mp3 Barbara Carey is an inventor, businesswoman, entrepreneur, and mother. As an inventor and entrepreneur she has brought more than 100 products to the market, launched seven companies, and been awarded more than a dozen patents. Carey is the inventor and creator of Hairagami®, a very popular hair accessory that has been sold worldwide on the QVC Network and Nickelodeon. She is also the creator and President of dittieTM. dittieTM is a feminine protection brand and company that is committed to kicking the taboos surrounding women and their periods. Carey most recently wrote and published her first book titled “The Carey Formula: Your Ideas Are Worth Millions” – a how to book on making millions by selling your ideas first. Carey is a firm believer that everyone has a million-dollar idea. Her formula gives others the easy, step-by-step guide they need to move their dream forward, selling their idea to the consumer market. Carey’s book inspires and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs, inventors, and women in business. For more information check out www.CareyFormula.com Podcasts Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Barbara Carey, President/CEO of Akasha Group, LLC Barbara Carey is an inventor, businesswoman, entrepreneur, and mother. As an inventor and entrepreneur she has brought more than 100 products to the market, launched seven companies, and been awarded more than a dozen patents. Carey is the inventor and creator of Hairagami®, a very popular hair accessory that has been sold worldwide on the QVC Network and Nickelodeon. She is also the creator and President of dittieTM. dittieTM is a feminine protection brand and company that is committed to kicking the taboos surrounding women and their periods. Carey most recently wrote and published her first book titled “The Carey Formula: Your Ideas Are Worth Millions” – a how to book on making millions by selling your ideas first. Carey is a firm believer that everyone has a million-dollar idea. Her formula gives others the easy, step-by-step guide they need to move their dream forward, selling their idea to the consumer market. Carey’s book inspires and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs, inventors, and women in business. For more information check out www.CareyFormula.com 00:24:42 Barbara Carey, President/CEO of Akasha Group, LLC No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=64 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/OrangeCounty/OC08Halford-podcast.mp3 Keith Halford is a global leader in marketing innovation and new media. Keith has recently returned from Japan where he trained the Executive Management Team of PartiTV on the skills and techniques required to maximize the effectiveness of Direct Response Television. Co-owned by Liberty Media of Denver, and Sumitomo of Japan, PartiTV was designed to be Japan’s first interactive participation channel. Halford advises firms globally and has served as expert witness in Federal court in matters of intellectual property, technology and television production. As QVC Co-Founder, Director and Executive Vice President of Marketing, Halford lead the development of the world’s premier transactional television network. Prior to QVC, Keith served as EVP, Marketing of Home Shopping Network, from inception through local and national roll outs. Keith has also launched auction based networks in the US and international TV shopping networks in Ireland, Israel, and Korea. He has earned numerous awards including “Direct Marketer of the Year” for his pioneering work in television marketing. In addition to his direct response television career, Keith was a pioneer in wireless media. Halford lead AT&T Wireless’ affiliate launch as Senior Vice President of Marketing of Tritel. Within two years the company was funded with over three billion dollars in equity and debt instruments and launched in over 25 markets covering more than 22 million potential subscribers. Recognized by his industry and his peers Halford was awarded both the Gold and the Silver National Addy awards for his AT&T Suncom Wireless campaigns. Currently, Halford is an active angel investor, and occasionally leverages his investment experiences by participating in the management of emerging companies. He often speaks at conventions, large meetings and trade shows. Keith’s dynamic presentation style enlightens and informs a broad array of audiences ranging from first time entrepreneurs to seasoned investors. He drills down to the core issues quickly and his unique insights often provide the road map to open new opportunities, markets and methods. Podcasts Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Keith Halford, CEO of Keith Halford & Associates Keith Halford is a global leader in marketing innovation and new media. Keith has recently returned from Japan where he trained the Executive Management Team of PartiTV on the skills and techniques required to maximize the effectiveness of Direct Response Television. Co-owned by Liberty Media of Denver, and Sumitomo of Japan, PartiTV was designed to be Japan’s first interactive participation channel. Halford advises firms globally and has served as expert witness in Federal court in matters of intellectual property, technology and television production. As QVC Co-Founder, Director and Executive Vice President of Marketing, Halford lead the development of the world’s premier transactional television network. Prior to QVC, Keith served as EVP, Marketing of Home Shopping Network, from inception through local and national roll outs. Keith has also launched auction based networks in the US and international TV shopping networks in Ireland, Israel, and Korea. He has earned numerous awards including “Direct Marketer of the Year” for his pioneering work in television marketing. In addition to his direct response television career, Keith was a pioneer in wireless media. Halford lead AT&T Wireless’ affiliate launch as Senior Vice President of Marketing of Tritel. Within two years the company was funded with over three billion dollars in equity and debt instruments and launched in over 25 markets covering more than 22 million potential subscribers. Recognized by his industry and his peers Halford was awarded both the Gold and the Silver National Addy awards for his AT&T Suncom Wireless campaigns. Currently, Halford is an active angel investor, and occasionally leverages his investment experiences by participating in the management of emerging companies. He often speaks at conventions, large meetings and trade shows. Keith’s dynamic presentation style enlightens and informs a broad array of audiences ranging from first time entrepreneurs to seasoned investors. He drills down to the core issues quickly and his unique insights often provide the road map to open new opportunities, markets and methods. 00:26:29 Keith Halford, CEO of Keith Halford & Associates No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=65 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/OrangeCounty/OC08Ukropina-podcast.mp3 In 1992, Rob founded Overnite Express with the idea of picking up after FedEx, UPS and DHL – 9pm – and delivering California, Arizona and Nevada early 9am the next morning. Overnite Express now employs over 300 associates and will deliver over two million packages in 2008. Rob sits on various entrepreneurial advisory boards, including C2 Reprographics, Red Roller, Allyance Communications Networks, United Document Storage, Black Diamond Ventures, Eplayerz and the USC Entrepreneurial Center. In 2004, Rob was awarded “Excellence in Entrepreneurship” by the Orange County Business Journal. In 2006, Rob was selected by Southland Development Corporation as “Small Business Person of the year” Orange County. In 2007, Rob was selected by the SBA as “Small Business Person of the Year – California”. Podcasts Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Rob Ukropina, Founder & CEO of Overnite Express In 1992, Rob founded Overnite Express with the idea of picking up after FedEx, UPS and DHL – 9pm – and delivering California, Arizona and Nevada early 9am the next morning. Overnite Express now employs over 300 associates and will deliver over two million packages in 2008. Rob sits on various entrepreneurial advisory boards, including C2 Reprographics, Red Roller, Allyance Communications Networks, United Document Storage, Black Diamond Ventures, Eplayerz and the USC Entrepreneurial Center. In 2004, Rob was awarded “Excellence in Entrepreneurship” by the Orange County Business Journal. In 2006, Rob was selected by Southland Development Corporation as “Small Business Person of the year” Orange County. In 2007, Rob was selected by the SBA as “Small Business Person of the Year – California”. 00:28:44 Rob Ukropina, Founder & CEO of Overnite Express No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=66 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/OrangeCounty/OC08Zucker-podcast.mp3 Gillian Zucker was named the fourth President of California Speedway on June 23, 2005, making her the first female president of a track hosting a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event. As president, Zucker oversees all of the Speedway’s business units including marketing, public relations, ticketing, accounting and operations. California Speedway is a two-mile oval located halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs and is one of the busiest Motorsports facilities in the world. In addition to two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races that are the largest single-day ticketed sporting events in the state with more than 100,000 people in attendance, the track also promotes racing from the other top NASCAR series’, including the Nationwide Series, Craftsman Truck Series and the Grand National Division, West Series. The track also hosts the NHRA, the AMA Superbike Championship, the Southern California Historic Sports Car Festival and a competitive drag racing program on the Auto Club Dragway. Overall, the speedway hosts nearly 320 days of activity, including numerous movie and commercial shoots, photo shoots, new car testing, club racing and a variety of racing schools. In her three years as president, Zucker has executed a rebranding strategy, launched a new business plan and made dozens of improvements and changes fueled in large part by thousands of requests and feedback from fans. Thus far, Zucker and her full-time staff of 50 have produced dramatic results to help the speedway maintain its position as the West Coast’s premier motorsports venue. At the top of Zucker’s list of goals was - and continues to be - enhancing the overall fan experience while incorporating the Southern California culture into the motorsports facility. From a new logo and advertising campaign, to the Opportunity, California FanZone, fans have quickly become accustomed to a total entertainment experience at California Speedway. The cornerstone of the recent fan improvement projects is the Opportunity, California FanZone. It includes a town center featuring a restaurant, Apex by Wolfgang Puck, a retail store called Impulse, an entertainment stage and additional areas of shade, grass and water features. Inside the track, sightlines have been improved, pre-race concerts have been added and Gatorade Victory Lane has been relocated back to the tri-oval, giving fans an improved view of post-race celebrations. Fans have also benefited from the expertise of Gameday Management Group, which has improved parking and traffic on race days. Among the other improvements are increased signage, an open garage for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, an 88-foot ADA-compliant bridge, a new corporate hospitality village, an on-site Stater Bros. convenience store, and a new policy of admitting children 12 and under for free in the General Admission sections on Friday and Saturday of the track’s NASCAR weekends. From spotting some of the world’s most recognizable stars at the track like Stevie Wonder, Melissa Etheridge, Kevin Costner, Jewel, Kelly Clarkson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ashton Kutcher, Nick Lachey, Jason Lee, Pamela Anderson, Patrick Dempsey, Matt Leinart, the Wayans Brothers, John Elway, Tommy Lasorda, Wolfgang Puck, and Marcia Cross, NASCAR fans can expect to be treated to much more than great racing when they come to California Speedway. An active community leader, Zucker was appointed to the board of the California Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Los Angeles Sports Council; she was appointed by the Governor as commissioner of the California Travel and Tourism Commission and was recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners (Inland Empire chapter) with the Pioneer Award in April 2006. She is also a member of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission Advisory Board, an advisory board member of the Los Angeles chapter of Women in Sports Entertainment and a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of Young Presidents Organization. Prior to her appointment at California Speedway, Zucker served as Daytona International Speedway's vice president of business operations and development. In that role, Zucker directed operations for the Daytona 500 Experience (then DAYTONA USA) as well as interacted with sanctioning bodies, broadcast partners, sponsors and vendors and coordinated the track budget. Her responsibilities further included event operations such as traffic, parking and guest amenities. She additionally assumed corporate responsibilities with Daytona’s parent company International Speedway Corporation in new business development across all twelve ISC facilities. Zucker joined International Speedway Corporation in 1998 as director of business development for the new Kansas Speedway. She was promoted to vice president of operational development soon after. Among her duties at the track, Zucker wrote and executed the business plan that launched Kansas Speedway. Prior positions to Kansas Speedway included being the assistant general manager for the Durham (NC) Bulls Baseball Club; general manager for both the Sultans of Springfield (IL) Baseball Club and the Lansing (MI) Lugnuts Baseball Club; the assistant general manager for the High Desert (CA) Mavericks Baseball Club and as an advertising sales assistant at Sports Illustrated magazine. Zucker, 38 graduated from Hamilton College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing. She is single and resides in Los Angeles. Away from the track, Zucker has been taking Spanish classes and has completed two Spanish language immersions at the center for linguistics in Cuernavaca. Zucker enjoys cooking and all sports especially running, horseback riding and skiing. She is an avid fan of sudoko puzzles, and takes every opportunity to return to the New York City metropolitan area, where she grew up, to visit her niece Danielle, who she insists on calling “Zebo”. Podcasts Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Gillian Zucker, President of Auto Club Speedway of Southern California Gillian Zucker was named the fourth President of California Speedway on June 23, 2005, making her the first female president of a track hosting a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event. As president, Zucker oversees all of the Speedway’s business units including marketing, public relations, ticketing, accounting and operations. California Speedway is a two-mile oval located halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs and is one of the busiest Motorsports facilities in the world. In addition to two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races that are the largest single-day ticketed sporting events in the state with more than 100,000 people in attendance, the track also promotes racing from the other top NASCAR series’, including the Nationwide Series, Craftsman Truck Series and the Grand National Division, West Series. The track also hosts the NHRA, the AMA Superbike Championship, the Southern California Historic Sports Car Festival and a competitive drag racing program on the Auto Club Dragway. Overall, the speedway hosts nearly 320 days of activity, including numerous movie and commercial shoots, photo shoots, new car testing, club racing and a variety of racing schools. In her three years as president, Zucker has executed a rebranding strategy, launched a new business plan and made dozens of improvements and changes fueled in large part by thousands of requests and feedback from fans. Thus far, Zucker and her full-time staff of 50 have produced dramatic results to help the speedway maintain its position as the West Coast’s premier motorsports venue. At the top of Zucker’s list of goals was - and continues to be - enhancing the overall fan experience while incorporating the Southern California culture into the motorsports facility. From a new logo and advertising campaign, to the Opportunity, California FanZone, fans have quickly become accustomed to a total entertainment experience at California Speedway. The cornerstone of the recent fan improvement projects is the Opportunity, California FanZone. It includes a town center featuring a restaurant, Apex by Wolfgang Puck, a retail store called Impulse, an entertainment stage and additional areas of shade, grass and water features. Inside the track, sightlines have been improved, pre-race concerts have been added and Gatorade Victory Lane has been relocated back to the tri-oval, giving fans an improved view of post-race celebrations. Fans have also benefited from the expertise of Gameday Management Group, which has improved parking and traffic on race days. Among the other improvements are increased signage, an open garage for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, an 88-foot ADA-compliant bridge, a new corporate hospitality village, an on-site Stater Bros. convenience store, and a new policy of admitting children 12 and under for free in the General Admission sections on Friday and Saturday of the track’s NASCAR weekends. From spotting some of the world’s most recognizable stars at the track like Stevie Wonder, Melissa Etheridge, Kevin Costner, Jewel, Kelly Clarkson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ashton Kutcher, Nick Lachey, Jason Lee, Pamela Anderson, Patrick Dempsey, Matt Leinart, the Wayans Brothers, John Elway, Tommy Lasorda, Wolfgang Puck, and Marcia Cross, NASCAR fans can expect to be treated to much more than great racing when they come to California Speedway. An active community leader, Zucker was appointed to the board of the California Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Los Angeles Sports Council; she was appointed by the Governor as commissioner of the California Travel and Tourism Commission and was recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners (Inland Empire chapter) with the Pioneer Award in April 2006. She is also a member of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission Advisory Board, an advisory board member of the Los Angeles chapter of Women in Sports Entertainment and a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of Young Presidents Organization. Prior to her appointment at California Speedway, Zucker served as Daytona International Speedway's vice president of business operations and development. In that role, Zucker directed operations for the Daytona 500 Experience (then DAYTONA USA) as well as interacted with sanctioning bodies, broadcast partners, sponsors and vendors and coordinated the track budget. Her responsibilities further included event operations such as traffic, parking and guest amenities. She additionally assumed corporate responsibilities with Daytona’s parent company International Speedway Corporation in new business development across all twelve ISC facilities. Zucker joined International Speedway Corporation in 1998 as director of business development for the new Kansas Speedway. She was promoted to vice president of operational development soon after. Among her duties at the track, Zucker wrote and executed the business plan that launched Kansas Speedway. Prior positions to Kansas Speedway included being the assistant general manager for the Durham (NC) Bulls Baseball Club; general manager for both the Sultans of Springfield (IL) Baseball Club and the Lansing (MI) Lugnuts Baseball Club; the assistant general manager for the High Desert (CA) Mavericks Baseball Club and as an advertising sales assistant at Sports Illustrated magazine. Zucker, 38 graduated from Hamilton College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing. She is single and resides in Los Angeles. Away from the track, Zucker has been taking Spanish classes and has completed two Spanish language immersions at the center for linguistics in Cuernavaca. Zucker enjoys cooking and all sports especially running, horseback riding and skiing. She is an avid fan of sudoko puzzles, and takes every opportunity to return to the New York City metropolitan area, where she grew up, to visit her niece Danielle, who she insists on calling “Zebo”. 00:31:05 Gillian Zucker, President of Auto Club Speedway of Southern California No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=67 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/OrangeCounty/OC08Jacobs-podcast.mp3 David and Janet Jacobs acquired Anchor Audio in 1990. David Jacobs serves as the Chairman and Janet Jacobs serves as President. Mr. Jacobs’ responsibilities are in the area of long-term planning, systems, finance and engineering. Mrs. Jacobs handles the sales, market and manufacturing aspects of the company. Prior to acquiring Anchor Audio, Mr. Jacobs held the following positions: • President of Colony Capital, a venture capital company with investments in automotive wheel manufacturing, medical supplies manufacturing, stock brokerage and telephone equipment repair. • Executive Vice President of SuperShuttle International (airport transportation). • Partner in Jacobs & Co. (Bankruptcy Court Examiners for the Department of Justice and bank strategic planning). • Senior Consultant with Peat, Marwick (strategic planning consulting). • System Consultant with Arthur Andersen & Co. (systems development). Mr. Jacobs recently retired as the Chairman of the Board of California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC), a manufacturing operations consulting firm providing manufacturing improvement services to middle market companies throughout California. Mr. Jacobs received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Podcasts Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute David Jacobs, Chairman of Anchor Audio, Inc. David and Janet Jacobs acquired Anchor Audio in 1990. David Jacobs serves as the Chairman and Janet Jacobs serves as President. Mr. Jacobs’ responsibilities are in the area of long-term planning, systems, finance and engineering. Mrs. Jacobs handles the sales, market and manufacturing aspects of the company. Prior to acquiring Anchor Audio, Mr. Jacobs held the following positions: • President of Colony Capital, a venture capital company with investments in automotive wheel manufacturing, medical supplies manufacturing, stock brokerage and telephone equipment repair. • Executive Vice President of SuperShuttle International (airport transportation). • Partner in Jacobs & Co. (Bankruptcy Court Examiners for the Department of Justice and bank strategic planning). • Senior Consultant with Peat, Marwick (strategic planning consulting). • System Consultant with Arthur Andersen & Co. (systems development). Mr. Jacobs recently retired as the Chairman of the Board of California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC), a manufacturing operations consulting firm providing manufacturing improvement services to middle market companies throughout California. Mr. Jacobs received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. 00:39:16 David Jacobs, Chairman of Anchor Audio, Inc. No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=59 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/Columbus/CMH08Abraham-podcast.mp3 Accel Inc. is an award winning contract packaging company specializing in creating innovative packaging assembly solutions. Accel’s services include, but are not limited to: assembly, packaging engineering and design, thermoforming, sourcing, reworks and international operations. Accel Inc. was established by Tara Abraham in 1995 and serves industries such as health and beauty, automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and many others. During her tenure in the beauty industry, Tara encountered frustration time after time as she worked with contract packaging companies on gift sets, gift-with-purchase sets, and promotional packaging. She could not find a reliable company who could affordably package her products on time, to the quality standards she set. It wasn’t long until Tara realized she could fill the need for a quality-focused and cost-savings-driven packaging company that would meet client and consumer expectations. Tara began assembling gift sets out of a tiny 1,200 square foot warehouse. In only twelve years, Tara and the Accel team, including her husband, President and COO David Abraham, have grown the company into a 305,000 square foot facility in Columbus, Ohio with joint venture operations in Santa Ana, California, Imuris, Mexico and three locations in China including Shanghai, Xiamen and ZhuHai. Accel’s success is reinforced internally by a talented management team and externally through associations. Tara is a member of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Women Presidents Organization and Young Presidents Organization. She is on the local board of the American Red Cross, the alumni board for Ohio State University’s College of Human Ecology, the WBENC Board for the Southeast Region and Columbus’ Kobacker House Board. Tara supports the American Lung Association, Breast Cancer Awareness, Children’s Hospital, Wexner Center for the Arts, and Action for Children. Accel has been acknowledged as a top Woman-Owned Businesses in Central Ohio and has received the Columbus Fast Fifty award for six years. Additionally Accel has won Corporate Caring Awards, Family Business Awards, Limited Brands’ Apothecary Award for Supplier Excellence and Limited Brands’ 2007 Championing Diversity award. Tara received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Emerging Business in 2000, Columbus’ Top 40 under 40, the 2007 WBENC Business Star Award for the Southeast region of the United States and The Ohio State University College of Human Ecology Alumni Award. Accel continues to raise the standards of packaging excellence across all industries by providing its clients with superior quality contract packaging services in a time-efficient manner and at cost-effective prices. They have earned their reputation for creating the most visually stimulating product presentations and packaging solutions. Podcasts Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute Tara Abraham, CEO of Accel, Inc. Accel Inc. is an award winning contract packaging company specializing in creating innovative packaging assembly solutions. Accel’s services include, but are not limited to: assembly, packaging engineering and design, thermoforming, sourcing, reworks and international operations. Accel Inc. was established by Tara Abraham in 1995 and serves industries such as health and beauty, automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and many others. During her tenure in the beauty industry, Tara encountered frustration time after time as she worked with contract packaging companies on gift sets, gift-with-purchase sets, and promotional packaging. She could not find a reliable company who could affordably package her products on time, to the quality standards she set. It wasn’t long until Tara realized she could fill the need for a quality-focused and cost-savings-driven packaging company that would meet client and consumer expectations. Tara began assembling gift sets out of a tiny 1,200 square foot warehouse. In only twelve years, Tara and the Accel team, including her husband, President and COO David Abraham, have grown the company into a 305,000 square foot facility in Columbus, Ohio with joint venture operations in Santa Ana, California, Imuris, Mexico and three locations in China including Shanghai, Xiamen and ZhuHai. Accel’s success is reinforced internally by a talented management team and externally through associations. Tara is a member of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Women Presidents Organization and Young Presidents Organization. She is on the local board of the American Red Cross, the alumni board for Ohio State University’s College of Human Ecology, the WBENC Board for the Southeast Region and Columbus’ Kobacker House Board. Tara supports the American Lung Association, Breast Cancer Awareness, Children’s Hospital, Wexner Center for the Arts, and Action for Children. Accel has been acknowledged as a top Woman-Owned Businesses in Central Ohio and has received the Columbus Fast Fifty award for six years. Additionally Accel has won Corporate Caring Awards, Family Business Awards, Limited Brands’ Apothecary Award for Supplier Excellence and Limited Brands’ 2007 Championing Diversity award. Tara received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Emerging Business in 2000, Columbus’ Top 40 under 40, the 2007 WBENC Business Star Award for the Southeast region of the United States and The Ohio State University College of Human Ecology Alumni Award. Accel continues to raise the standards of packaging excellence across all industries by providing its clients with superior quality contract packaging services in a time-efficient manner and at cost-effective prices. They have earned their reputation for creating the most visually stimulating product presentations and packaging solutions. 00:40:49 Tara Abraham, CEO of Accel, Inc. No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=60 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/Columbus/CMH08Mitchell-podcast.mp3 Cameron Mitchell, President of Columbus, Ohio based Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, knew since high school that he wanted to pursue a career in the restaurant business and set his sights on becoming President of a restaurant company by the age of 35. He set his goals, step-by-step and after graduating from the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America in 1986, began to achieve those goals, one by one. Mitchell began his rapid climb up the company ladder with the multi-concept, 10-unit Fifty-Five Restaurant Group, also of Columbus. But he left the company in 1992 after attaining the second-in-command post and realizing he had hit the ceiling. It was then he knew he had to start his own company, on his own terms. In the fall of 1993, Cameron’s, a contemporary American bistro, wowed Columbus diners with its extraordinary dining experience. Achieving remarkable success in the highly competitive Columbus market, garnered Mitchell the attention of developers across the region and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants began to diversify and expand. In just fourteen years, while remaining independent and privately held, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants has grown to 33-units, including a catering division, operating in nine states with 9 different concepts. In addition to Cameron’s the concepts include, Cap City Fine Diner & Bar, Martini Italian Bistro, Mitchell’s Steakhouse, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Mitchell’s Ocean Club, M, Molly Woo’s Asian Bistro, and Marcella’s. In the fall of 2007, Mitchell announced the sale of the Fish Market and Steakhouse concepts (a total of 22 restaurants) for $94 million to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Inc. to be completed in 2008. In the future, Mitchell plans to continue to develop more new concepts and nationally grow those concepts which are in higher demand. Mitchell credits the growth of his company to an imbedded culture and philosophy that begins “We believe in putting our associates first.” The company doesn’t just hire great people, but it also treats them great. This results in genuine hospitality that is exemplified in all major relationships from guest, to vendor to community. Cameron Mitchell Restaurants is driven to thrive based on it’s stated goal “To be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today” Like most restaurants across the country, Cameron Mitchell and his restaurant company place a high priority on community service. Mitchell is a founding board member of the Ohio Hospitality Education Foundation and has established scholarships in multiple culinary arts colleges. Additionally, Cameron Mitchell has served as the Ohio representative on the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors and is currently a Trustee and soon to be Vice-Chair on the Board of the Culinary Institute of America. Among numerous community and industry awards, he has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of the Year for the state of Ohio by Ernst & Young, Small Businessperson of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, as a Concept of Tomorrow Visionary by Restaurant Hospitality twice, by Nation’s Restaurant News as One of 50 New Tastemakers, received a High Performance Restaurant Leadership award from Restaurant Business, and in 2005 received one of his most cherished accolades, the Richard Melman Concepts of Tomorrow Award, awarded by industry icon Richard Melman himself. In 2007, Mitchell achieved the pinnacle of industry recognition by receiving the highly coveted “Silver Plate” award from the International Foodservice Manufacturer’s Association in the Chain Full Service Category. Podcasts Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute M. Cameron Mitchell, President of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Cameron Mitchell, President of Columbus, Ohio based Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, knew since high school that he wanted to pursue a career in the restaurant business and set his sights on becoming President of a restaurant company by the age of 35. He set his goals, step-by-step and after graduating from the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America in 1986, began to achieve those goals, one by one. Mitchell began his rapid climb up the company ladder with the multi-concept, 10-unit Fifty-Five Restaurant Group, also of Columbus. But he left the company in 1992 after attaining the second-in-command post and realizing he had hit the ceiling. It was then he knew he had to start his own company, on his own terms. In the fall of 1993, Cameron’s, a contemporary American bistro, wowed Columbus diners with its extraordinary dining experience. Achieving remarkable success in the highly competitive Columbus market, garnered Mitchell the attention of developers across the region and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants began to diversify and expand. In just fourteen years, while remaining independent and privately held, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants has grown to 33-units, including a catering division, operating in nine states with 9 different concepts. In addition to Cameron’s the concepts include, Cap City Fine Diner & Bar, Martini Italian Bistro, Mitchell’s Steakhouse, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Mitchell’s Ocean Club, M, Molly Woo’s Asian Bistro, and Marcella’s. In the fall of 2007, Mitchell announced the sale of the Fish Market and Steakhouse concepts (a total of 22 restaurants) for $94 million to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Inc. to be completed in 2008. In the future, Mitchell plans to continue to develop more new concepts and nationally grow those concepts which are in higher demand. Mitchell credits the growth of his company to an imbedded culture and philosophy that begins “We believe in putting our associates first.” The company doesn’t just hire great people, but it also treats them great. This results in genuine hospitality that is exemplified in all major relationships from guest, to vendor to community. Cameron Mitchell Restaurants is driven to thrive based on it’s stated goal “To be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today” Like most restaurants across the country, Cameron Mitchell and his restaurant company place a high priority on community service. Mitchell is a founding board member of the Ohio Hospitality Education Foundation and has established scholarships in multiple culinary arts colleges. Additionally, Cameron Mitchell has served as the Ohio representative on the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors and is currently a Trustee and soon to be Vice-Chair on the Board of the Culinary Institute of America. Among numerous community and industry awards, he has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of the Year for the state of Ohio by Ernst & Young, Small Businessperson of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, as a Concept of Tomorrow Visionary by Restaurant Hospitality twice, by Nation’s Restaurant News as One of 50 New Tastemakers, received a High Performance Restaurant Leadership award from Restaurant Business, and in 2005 received one of his most cherished accolades, the Richard Melman Concepts of Tomorrow Award, awarded by industry icon Richard Melman himself. In 2007, Mitchell achieved the pinnacle of industry recognition by receiving the highly coveted “Silver Plate” award from the International Foodservice Manufacturer’s Association in the Chain Full Service Category. 00:28:26 M. Cameron Mitchell, President of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=61 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/Columbus/CMH08Lochridge-podcast.mp3 ComDoc, with headquarters in Akron, Ohio, is a $115+ million provider of document output devices and services. Its markets include all of Ohio, upstate New York, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. Riley Lochridge, named Chairman and CEO in December 2004, joined ComDoc in 1984 as a Group Vice President. His responsibilities grew in 1986, when he was named Executive Vice President; and grew again in 1989, when he became President and CEO. Prior to joining ComDoc, the Chicago-area native was employed for twelve years with American Hospital Supply Corporation, performing various sales and sales management duties. In 1977, he was named Vice President and General Manager of the Northeast Region and continued in that capacity until joining ComDoc. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration. Since joining the business, Lochridge has seen ComDoc’s revenue grow 950%, their employee base triple in size, and the stock value increase over 5,500%. Two of his proudest achievements occurred in 1985 when ComDoc’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) was launched . . . and, in December of 2006, when the company became a 100% ESOP. From any measurement perspective -- profitability, customer satisfaction, partner satisfaction and sales growth – it is clear that ComDoc’s dramatic results are tied directly to its ESOP. An advocate for northeastern Ohio, Lochridge willingly shares his experience with ESOPs as a member of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center Advisory Board. He is an active member and director of Heart to Heart Communications, and presented the Keynote Address to over 600 area business leaders at their 2004 Annual Breakfast. An alumnus of the 1986 Leadership Akron class, he currently serves as Vice Chairman on their Board of Trustees and, in 2003, received their Distinguished Alumni Award. Other more recent awards include the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year for the Small Business Council of the Greater Akron Chamber and the 2006 Executive of the Year for Sales and Marketing Executives International / Akron Chapter. Lochridge resides in Hudson, Ohio, with his wife, Barbara . . . and they have 3 children, Riley, Kyle and Whitney. Podcasts Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute W. Riley Lochridge, Chairman & CEO of ComDoc, Inc. ComDoc, with headquarters in Akron, Ohio, is a $115+ million provider of document output devices and services. Its markets include all of Ohio, upstate New York, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. Riley Lochridge, named Chairman and CEO in December 2004, joined ComDoc in 1984 as a Group Vice President. His responsibilities grew in 1986, when he was named Executive Vice President; and grew again in 1989, when he became President and CEO. Prior to joining ComDoc, the Chicago-area native was employed for twelve years with American Hospital Supply Corporation, performing various sales and sales management duties. In 1977, he was named Vice President and General Manager of the Northeast Region and continued in that capacity until joining ComDoc. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration. Since joining the business, Lochridge has seen ComDoc’s revenue grow 950%, their employee base triple in size, and the stock value increase over 5,500%. Two of his proudest achievements occurred in 1985 when ComDoc’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) was launched . . . and, in December of 2006, when the company became a 100% ESOP. From any measurement perspective -- profitability, customer satisfaction, partner satisfaction and sales growth – it is clear that ComDoc’s dramatic results are tied directly to its ESOP. An advocate for northeastern Ohio, Lochridge willingly shares his experience with ESOPs as a member of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center Advisory Board. He is an active member and director of Heart to Heart Communications, and presented the Keynote Address to over 600 area business leaders at their 2004 Annual Breakfast. An alumnus of the 1986 Leadership Akron class, he currently serves as Vice Chairman on their Board of Trustees and, in 2003, received their Distinguished Alumni Award. Other more recent awards include the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year for the Small Business Council of the Greater Akron Chamber and the 2006 Executive of the Year for Sales and Marketing Executives International / Akron Chapter. Lochridge resides in Hudson, Ohio, with his wife, Barbara . . . and they have 3 children, Riley, Kyle and Whitney. 00:39:17 W. Riley Lochridge, Chairman & CEO of ComDoc, Inc. No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=71 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/StLouis/STL08Williams-podcast.mp3 Jennifer is and has always been driven and goal oriented. Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes ten-fold. She is sure of herself and her abilities and makes decisions easily and quickly. Her competitive edge is key to her success as an industry leader in a male dominated business. She has built Saint Louis Closet Co. to a multi-million dollar company that employs over 50 people and provides her customers with 100% customer satisfaction. Her business has risen to the top due to her attention to detail, unwavering commitment to service, and love of doing what she does best. Career Accomplishments: The list of career accomplishments and awards for Jennifer is long and impressive: 1994 Arthur Andersen’s Top 25 Business Award 1995 Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Missouri 1995 Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the entire Midwest Region 1995 Selected by The White House to participate in the Midwest Region Economic Conference where she met President Bill Clinton 1996 Jaycees 10 Outstanding Young St. Louisans 1996 St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 1997-1998 Director of Maplewood’s Special Business District 1997 Maplewood’s Business Person of the Year 1998 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist 1999 Small Business Administration’s Women in Business Advocate of the Year finalist 2000 Founding Member and Board Member of National Closet Group 1997-2007 Listed as one of the top 100 Fastest Growing Woodworking Companies in the United States by Wood and Wood Products (ten years in a row) 2005 25th Anniversary Board Member for The Magic House 2005 Named “St. Louisan of the Year” by Bill McClellan, St. Louis Post Dispatch, for her fight against eminent domain. 2006 & 2007 Honorary Chairperson for the BJC Friends of Wings Hospice Care 2007 Honorary Board Friends of Wings 2007 Keynote Speaker for Maplewood’s Women’s History Month 2007 St. Louis Business Journal Top 25 Most Influential Businesswoman Award 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist 2007 Cover St. Louis Woman Magazine 2007 Awarded the Maplewood “Key to the City” for revitalization of building Community Involvements: Jennifer is committed to her community and never hesitates to give back when and where she can. Her main passions today are City of Maplewood and reviving the business community as well as the residential community, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, BJC Friends of Wings Pediatric Hospice Care, Breast Cancer, The Dove Foundation, The Magic House, The Kirkwood Library, The Maplewood Library and the Kirkwood School District. She also spends much of her time speaking to college and high school students about the benefits and challenges of Entrepreneurship and women about the challenges of business ownership. Podcasts Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute Jennifer Q. Williams, President of Saint Louis Closet Company Jennifer is and has always been driven and goal oriented. Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes ten-fold. She is sure of herself and her abilities and makes decisions easily and quickly. Her competitive edge is key to her success as an industry leader in a male dominated business. She has built Saint Louis Closet Co. to a multi-million dollar company that employs over 50 people and provides her customers with 100% customer satisfaction. Her business has risen to the top due to her attention to detail, unwavering commitment to service, and love of doing what she does best. Career Accomplishments: The list of career accomplishments and awards for Jennifer is long and impressive: 1994 Arthur Andersen’s Top 25 Business Award 1995 Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Missouri 1995 Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the entire Midwest Region 1995 Selected by The White House to participate in the Midwest Region Economic Conference where she met President Bill Clinton 1996 Jaycees 10 Outstanding Young St. Louisans 1996 St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 1997-1998 Director of Maplewood’s Special Business District 1997 Maplewood’s Business Person of the Year 1998 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist 1999 Small Business Administration’s Women in Business Advocate of the Year finalist 2000 Founding Member and Board Member of National Closet Group 1997-2007 Listed as one of the top 100 Fastest Growing Woodworking Companies in the United States by Wood and Wood Products (ten years in a row) 2005 25th Anniversary Board Member for The Magic House 2005 Named “St. Louisan of the Year” by Bill McClellan, St. Louis Post Dispatch, for her fight against eminent domain. 2006 & 2007 Honorary Chairperson for the BJC Friends of Wings Hospice Care 2007 Honorary Board Friends of Wings 2007 Keynote Speaker for Maplewood’s Women’s History Month 2007 St. Louis Business Journal Top 25 Most Influential Businesswoman Award 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist 2007 Cover St. Louis Woman Magazine 2007 Awarded the Maplewood “Key to the City” for revitalization of building Community Involvements: Jennifer is committed to her community and never hesitates to give back when and where she can. Her main passions today are City of Maplewood and reviving the business community as well as the residential community, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, BJC Friends of Wings Pediatric Hospice Care, Breast Cancer, The Dove Foundation, The Magic House, The Kirkwood Library, The Maplewood Library and the Kirkwood School District. She also spends much of her time speaking to college and high school students about the benefits and challenges of Entrepreneurship and women about the challenges of business ownership. 00:31:50 Jennifer Q. Williams, President of Saint Louis Closet Company No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=72 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/StLouis/STL08Kruszewski-podcast.mp3 Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Stifel Financial Corp. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Stifel Nicolaus Ronald J. Kruszewski has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stifel Financial Corp. and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated since 2001 and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stifel Financial Corp and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated since September 1997. Prior thereto, Mr. Kruszewski served as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Baird Financial Corporation and Managing Director of Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated from 1993 to September 1997. Mr. Kruszewski serves on the Board of Directors of Angelica Corporation. He is active in community affairs, serving as Chairman of Downtown Now!, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association and Barnes-Jewish Hospital as well as the Board of Trustees of Webster University and the St. Louis Science Center. He is also past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Inc. Mr. Kruszewski is a member of the Regional Business Council in St. Louis and is a member of the St. Louis Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Podcasts Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute Ron Kruszewski, Chairman, President & CEO of Stifel Financial Corporation Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Stifel Financial Corp. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Stifel Nicolaus Ronald J. Kruszewski has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stifel Financial Corp. and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated since 2001 and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stifel Financial Corp and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated since September 1997. Prior thereto, Mr. Kruszewski served as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Baird Financial Corporation and Managing Director of Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated from 1993 to September 1997. Mr. Kruszewski serves on the Board of Directors of Angelica Corporation. He is active in community affairs, serving as Chairman of Downtown Now!, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association and Barnes-Jewish Hospital as well as the Board of Trustees of Webster University and the St. Louis Science Center. He is also past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Inc. Mr. Kruszewski is a member of the Regional Business Council in St. Louis and is a member of the St. Louis Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization. 00:35:10 Ron Kruszewski, Chairman, President & CEO of Stifel Financial Corporation No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=73 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2008/StLouis/STL08Epsten-podcast.mp3 Todd Epsten is the Chief Executive Officer of Major Brands, Inc., Missouri’s largest wine and spirits distributor and the only major distributor that remains locally owned. He is the third generation of his family to lead the company, which was started by his grandfather in Saint Joseph, Missouri in 1934, and is responsible for the company’s sales, operations, customers, suppliers and community relations. Prior to becoming CEO, Todd was the Chief Operating Officer of the St. Louis office and Executive Vice President of sales. In 1988, he relocated to St. Louis to oversee the company’s expansion into eastern Missouri. Before that, Todd was the Marketing Director of the Kansas City operation and was a Marketing Manager for Forman Brothers, a wholesale beverage distributor in Washington, D.C. Active in the community, Todd is the Chairman of Forest Park Forever, Vice Chairman of the Regional Business Council and Chairman Emeritus of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. He also serves as a Trustee for the Saint Louis Science Center, Greater St. Louis Community Foundation and the Saint Louis Art Museum and formerly served as a St. Louis Airport Commissioner and as a Board Member of the Central Reform Congregation and the Jewish Federation. Todd and Major Brands have received a number of awards in recognition of their involvement in the community. In 2006, Major Brands received the St. Louis Mayor’s Spirit Award, which is given to businesses that make major expansions or improvements in the city of St. Louis. In 2001, he received the St. Louis Business Journal’s “Reinvest in St. Louis Award” for his contributions to making St. Louis a better place to live. Todd holds a B.S. in Political Science, with a concentration in Criminal Justice, from American University in Washington, D.C. and resides in the city of St. Louis with his wife and two sons. With more than 625 employees throughout the State, Major Brands is Missouri’s largest wine and spirits distributor and the nation’s 18th largest. It has offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield and Cape Girardeau. Its extensive product portfolio includes eight of the ten leading spirits brands, imported and micro-brewed beers, wines from throughout world’s leading wine producers and fine waters. Podcasts Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute Todd Epsten, CEO of Major Brands, Inc. Todd Epsten is the Chief Executive Officer of Major Brands, Inc., Missouri’s largest wine and spirits distributor and the only major distributor that remains locally owned. He is the third generation of his family to lead the company, which was started by his grandfather in Saint Joseph, Missouri in 1934, and is responsible for the company’s sales, operations, customers, suppliers and community relations. Prior to becoming CEO, Todd was the Chief Operating Officer of the St. Louis office and Executive Vice President of sales. In 1988, he relocated to St. Louis to oversee the company’s expansion into eastern Missouri. Before that, Todd was the Marketing Director of the Kansas City operation and was a Marketing Manager for Forman Brothers, a wholesale beverage distributor in Washington, D.C. Active in the community, Todd is the Chairman of Forest Park Forever, Vice Chairman of the Regional Business Council and Chairman Emeritus of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. He also serves as a Trustee for the Saint Louis Science Center, Greater St. Louis Community Foundation and the Saint Louis Art Museum and formerly served as a St. Louis Airport Commissioner and as a Board Member of the Central Reform Congregation and the Jewish Federation. Todd and Major Brands have received a number of awards in recognition of their involvement in the community. In 2006, Major Brands received the St. Louis Mayor’s Spirit Award, which is given to businesses that make major expansions or improvements in the city of St. Louis. In 2001, he received the St. Louis Business Journal’s “Reinvest in St. Louis Award” for his contributions to making St. Louis a better place to live. Todd holds a B.S. in Political Science, with a concentration in Criminal Justice, from American University in Washington, D.C. and resides in the city of St. Louis with his wife and two sons. With more than 625 employees throughout the State, Major Brands is Missouri’s largest wine and spirits distributor and the nation’s 18th largest. It has offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield and Cape Girardeau. Its extensive product portfolio includes eight of the ten leading spirits brands, imported and micro-brewed beers, wines from throughout world’s leading wine producers and fine waters. 00:32:26 Todd Epsten, CEO of Major Brands, Inc. No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=16 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2007/WashingtonDC/MW07Hodin-podcast.mp3 Morton L. Hodin, co-founder of BKRM&A, has over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience in technology, publishing, marketing, real estate and investment banking. For the past 30 years, Mr. Hodin has been active in the Boston business community. Mr. Hodin was President of Data Technology, Inc., a developer and producer of control systems in the aerospace and CAD/CAM marketplace. He successfully negotiated the sale of that company to the Bunker Ramo, Inc. In publishing, Mr. Hodin was a principal of SEE, Inc. a publisher of innovative math and science materials, whose customers were over 5,000 U.S. school districts. He also founded Resources Communications, Inc. (RCI), a publisher of multimedia continuing education materials for professionals, including select programs of the Harvard Medical School. RCI was also the largest distributor in New England of management training media. In Real Estate, as a principal of H&D Development, Mr. Hodin has developed land, commercial projects and residential properties. The Boston Preservation Alliance 1989 Preservation Award was presented to H&D for the redevelopment of Clarendon Square. Mr. Hodin holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an Advanced Engineering Studies (Master Equivalent) certificate from Cornell University. In 1989, Mr. Hodin founded Hodin Associates, Inc., which has successfully provided Investment Banking Services to emerging, privately held businesses. BKRM&A, founded in 1997, is the result of the evolution of this original investment banking business. Mr. Hodin is also a Registered Securities Principal with the National Association of Securities Dealers. Podcasts Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute Morton Hodin, Managing Director of BKR Int'l Mergers & Acquisitions Group, L.L.C. Morton L. Hodin, co-founder of BKRM&A, has over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience in technology, publishing, marketing, real estate and investment banking. For the past 30 years, Mr. Hodin has been active in the Boston business community. Mr. Hodin was President of Data Technology, Inc., a developer and producer of control systems in the aerospace and CAD/CAM marketplace. He successfully negotiated the sale of that company to the Bunker Ramo, Inc. In publishing, Mr. Hodin was a principal of SEE, Inc. a publisher of innovative math and science materials, whose customers were over 5,000 U.S. school districts. He also founded Resources Communications, Inc. (RCI), a publisher of multimedia continuing education materials for professionals, including select programs of the Harvard Medical School. RCI was also the largest distributor in New England of management training media. In Real Estate, as a principal of H&D Development, Mr. Hodin has developed land, commercial projects and residential properties. The Boston Preservation Alliance 1989 Preservation Award was presented to H&D for the redevelopment of Clarendon Square. Mr. Hodin holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an Advanced Engineering Studies (Master Equivalent) certificate from Cornell University. In 1989, Mr. Hodin founded Hodin Associates, Inc., which has successfully provided Investment Banking Services to emerging, privately held businesses. BKRM&A, founded in 1997, is the result of the evolution of this original investment banking business. Mr. Hodin is also a Registered Securities Principal with the National Association of Securities Dealers. 00:53:44 Morton Hodin, Managing Director of BKR Int'l Mergers & Acquisitions Group, L.L.C. No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=17 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2007/washingtonDC/MW07Carr-podcast.mp3 Lyles Carr is Senior Vice President of The McCormick Group. Lyles is widely recognized for his expertise in the recruitment of senior level legal and government affairs professionals. He is particularly well known for having negotiated the mergers of numerous law firms and other professional service providers. In 31 years with The McCormick Group, Lyles has managed searches across a broad spectrum of specialties as diverse as accounting and finance, marketing and sales management, technology, law, and government affairs. While maintaining an active executive search practice, Lyles handles consulting assignments in related areas for professional service firms. Particular areas of expertise include individual and organizational business development, marketing strategies, career transition guidance, compensation program analysis, and merger and acquisition advice. Additionally, Lyles serves on the Board of Directors of Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. and as Chairman of its Leadership Development Committee. Lyles believes strongly in community service. He is active currently on the Boards of Directors or Advisory Councils of The Greater Washington Board of Trade, The Federal City Council, The Economic Club of Washington, The Alexandria Community Trust, Workforce Organizations for Regional Collaboration, The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, Community Wealth Ventures, the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation, The Helen Hayes Awards, The Heart of America Foundation, and The Greater Washington Creative Communities Initiative. A past president of Leadership Washington, he has been acknowledged as the organization’s Volunteer of the Year, has been honored by the Jubilee Support Alliance with the Jim & Patty Rouse Award and with the Golden Links Award from The Greater Washington Board of Trade, and was named a 2002 Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine. Lyles also has received the Sister Eymard Gallagher Award for Community Service/Corporate Responsibility at the annual HR Leadership Awards presentations and has been recognized as Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Lyles received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Virginia. Podcasts Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute Lyles Carr, Senior Vice President of The McCormick Group, Inc. Lyles Carr is Senior Vice President of The McCormick Group. Lyles is widely recognized for his expertise in the recruitment of senior level legal and government affairs professionals. He is particularly well known for having negotiated the mergers of numerous law firms and other professional service providers. In 31 years with The McCormick Group, Lyles has managed searches across a broad spectrum of specialties as diverse as accounting and finance, marketing and sales management, technology, law, and government affairs. While maintaining an active executive search practice, Lyles handles consulting assignments in related areas for professional service firms. Particular areas of expertise include individual and organizational business development, marketing strategies, career transition guidance, compensation program analysis, and merger and acquisition advice. Additionally, Lyles serves on the Board of Directors of Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. and as Chairman of its Leadership Development Committee. Lyles believes strongly in community service. He is active currently on the Boards of Directors or Advisory Councils of The Greater Washington Board of Trade, The Federal City Council, The Economic Club of Washington, The Alexandria Community Trust, Workforce Organizations for Regional Collaboration, The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, Community Wealth Ventures, the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation, The Helen Hayes Awards, The Heart of America Foundation, and The Greater Washington Creative Communities Initiative. A past president of Leadership Washington, he has been acknowledged as the organization’s Volunteer of the Year, has been honored by the Jubilee Support Alliance with the Jim & Patty Rouse Award and with the Golden Links Award from The Greater Washington Board of Trade, and was named a 2002 Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine. Lyles also has received the Sister Eymard Gallagher Award for Community Service/Corporate Responsibility at the annual HR Leadership Awards presentations and has been recognized as Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Lyles received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Virginia. 00:22:46 Lyles Carr, Senior Vice President of The McCormick Group, Inc. No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=18 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2007/washingtonDC/MW07Snyder-podcast.mp3 Eddie is President of Snyder Cohn. His 35 years of experience has allowed him to be one of the firm’s most valuable assets. He has worked closely with organizations to provide not only accounting and tax advisory services, but he has assisted many entrepreneurs by consulting on strategic planning, financing, budgeting, and quality management of operations, systems and procedures. He works with service, retail, wholesale distribution, and manufacturing businesses, and a broad range of technology enterprises as well as traditional industries. He is well published, and he continues to share his vast knowledge by his continued focus on the development of firm associates, presenting seminars, and leading clients toward their goals. Eddie received his Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with post graduate studies at the George Washington University. He has been nationally recognized as a winner of the Elijah Watts Sells Award. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Greater Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, his altruistic activities encompass such organizations as The State of Israel Bonds, Capital Camps, The Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, Leadership Montgomery, and Kemp Mill Synagogue. Podcasts Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600 The Entrepreneurship Institute Edward Snyder, President of Snyder Cohn Eddie is President of Snyder Cohn. His 35 years of experience has allowed him to be one of the firm’s most valuable assets. He has worked closely with organizations to provide not only accounting and tax advisory services, but he has assisted many entrepreneurs by consulting on strategic planning, financing, budgeting, and quality management of operations, systems and procedures. He works with service, retail, wholesale distribution, and manufacturing businesses, and a broad range of technology enterprises as well as traditional industries. He is well published, and he continues to share his vast knowledge by his continued focus on the development of firm associates, presenting seminars, and leading clients toward their goals. Eddie received his Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with post graduate studies at the George Washington University. He has been nationally recognized as a winner of the Elijah Watts Sells Award. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Greater Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, his altruistic activities encompass such organizations as The State of Israel Bonds, Capital Camps, The Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, Leadership Montgomery, and Kemp Mill Synagogue. 00:27:16 Edward Snyder, President of Snyder Cohn No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=23 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2007/houston/HOU07O\'Neill-podcast.mp3 Lin O’Neill has an uncanny ability to transform individuals, teams, and organizations desiring enhancement or in conflict into profitable, high performers who achieve or exceed their goals. A former Vice President of Inflight Service and Corporate Officer for Continental Airlines, Lin blends a background in business (operations and human resources) and behavioral science to create results while maximizing employee morale. At Continental, Lin managed several thousand employees in remote locations as well as inflight service quality. A few of her numerous accomplishments include: insuring work continuation during a strike which threatened the viability of a major transportation company and design/implementation of a team-based training program resulting in a 43 percent decrease in the division operating costs of a national agricultural firm. Today, Lin runs her own organizational development business and helps her clients solve the stickiest people problems, both in the corporate and non-profit sectors. She knows how to empower employees while driving results, encouraging creativity, resolving conflicts, and reaching closure. Whether on site with a client or delivering a keynote address, she brings extensive experience in culture change, turnarounds, business process definition, and multi-level, cross-functional team building to her engagements. Lin holds a BS in sociology and an MBA. For more than two years, Lin conducted a weekly talk show on a Los Angeles FM radio station. She has taught in colleges in California and Oklahoma. She is a member of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, NAWBO, Human Capital Institute, WOVI, The Friday Group, TALA, and the Alliance of Women and Technology. She is a partner in Sakred Cow™ Enterprises, a Member of the President’s Advisory Council for the Dallas SPCA, Board Member for Women Connecting Women and a past Board Member for the Alliance on Aging. In addition to the world of work, a cause dear to Lin’s heart is assisting senior citizens to age with grace, health, and dignity. To that end, she is licensed as an RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly) Administrator and certified as an RCFE/SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) Activity Director. Podcasts Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500 The Entrepreneurship Institute Lin O'Neill, President of Futures Consulting Lin O’Neill has an uncanny ability to transform individuals, teams, and organizations desiring enhancement or in conflict into profitable, high performers who achieve or exceed their goals. A former Vice President of Inflight Service and Corporate Officer for Continental Airlines, Lin blends a background in business (operations and human resources) and behavioral science to create results while maximizing employee morale. At Continental, Lin managed several thousand employees in remote locations as well as inflight service quality. A few of her numerous accomplishments include: insuring work continuation during a strike which threatened the viability of a major transportation company and design/implementation of a team-based training program resulting in a 43 percent decrease in the division operating costs of a national agricultural firm. Today, Lin runs her own organizational development business and helps her clients solve the stickiest people problems, both in the corporate and non-profit sectors. She knows how to empower employees while driving results, encouraging creativity, resolving conflicts, and reaching closure. Whether on site with a client or delivering a keynote address, she brings extensive experience in culture change, turnarounds, business process definition, and multi-level, cross-functional team building to her engagements. Lin holds a BS in sociology and an MBA. For more than two years, Lin conducted a weekly talk show on a Los Angeles FM radio station. She has taught in colleges in California and Oklahoma. She is a member of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, NAWBO, Human Capital Institute, WOVI, The Friday Group, TALA, and the Alliance of Women and Technology. She is a partner in Sakred Cow™ Enterprises, a Member of the President’s Advisory Council for the Dallas SPCA, Board Member for Women Connecting Women and a past Board Member for the Alliance on Aging. In addition to the world of work, a cause dear to Lin’s heart is assisting senior citizens to age with grace, health, and dignity. To that end, she is licensed as an RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly) Administrator and certified as an RCFE/SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) Activity Director. 00:29:23 Lin O'Neill, President of Futures Consulting No http://tei.clearmeeting.com/playpresentation.php?id=24 http://winmedia.roadshowmedia.com/tei/PresidentsForumPodcast/2007/houston/HOU07Brennan-podcast.mp3 The name alone is enough for most to know that Brennan’s of Houston, under the careful watch of Alex Brennan-Martin, is a fine restaurant. The Brennan family’s New Orleans mainstays, like the original Brennan’s and Mr. B’s Bistro in the French Quarter, and Commander’s Palace in the Garden District, have garnered the devotion of epicures from around the world. Brennan’s of Houston in particular though has been the catalyst for Alex’s life’s work to ensure that memorable experiences aren’t just reserved for special occasions, but rather for every guest he welcomes into the dining room. His career of entertaining guests with fine cuisine and hospitality at Brennan’s of Houston, as well as at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, has made him an icon in his industry. Alex calls Houston “where the West meets Louisiana,” professing his love for the Bayou City and its multiple layers of cultural and culinary influences. Over the years, he has allowed this dynamic environment to positively influence the way he manages Brennan’s of Houston. But, with the humility of a man fortunate enough to make his living doing what he truly loves, he’s quick to tell you he doesn’t do it alone. “From the captains to the line cooks, to waitstaff and office personnel, we all have a stake in creating great memories for our guest. Which is the simple truth of our business”, states Alex. The staff at Brennan’s all share in these duties and take it upon themselves to seek out inventive ways to better serve customers. “Because I’m confident our staff has the guests’ comfort and enjoyment in mind at all times, they’re free – even encouraged – to make the necessary decisions to serve our customers,” he says. This type of management style and understanding was not developed overnight though. After numerous management style experiments and much self-reflection, Alex realized that the best management techniques are truly the simplest ones. In January 2003, Alex took his experiences and knowledge to produce his top-selling book, The Simple Truth (Bright Sky Press). Through candid anecdotes and sage advice, the book shows that the Brennan’s philosophy of shaping memorable experiences for their customers is universal and can apply to any business. Alex’s most recent endeavors, however, have gone above and beyond just the leadership and care his shares with his staff and customers. In September 2005, as New Orleans suffered the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, Alex did not waste a moment in collaborating with the Greater Houston Community Foundation to establish the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Disaster Relief Fund. He – and the rest of the Brennan family – saw firsthand how the industry, and its faithful employees, had been displaced by the disaster. Word of the fund quickly spread throughout the nation, with recognition by important outlets such as CNN, USA Today and the New York Times. Fellow restaurateurs, chefs and kind friends rallied in support, holding large-scale fundraisers, and simply encouraging their patrons to donate. Through the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Disaster Relief Fund, Alex and the Brennan family are at the heart of a support system that to this day remains an integral component of rebuilding New Orleans’ vibrant restaurant community. Alex is a member of the Texas Restaurant Association’s President’s Council, a founding member of the American Institute of Food and Wine, and Executive Committee member of the Greater Houston Visitors and Convention Bureau, a founding member of the Texas Restaurant Association Foundation, and currently serves the Council of Independent Restaurants of America (dineorginals.org) and serves as president of the Houston Chapter. Alex was named “Restaurateur of the Year” by My Table magazine and was featured with his cousins as one of the “Top 50 Taste Makers” by Nation’s Restaurant News. On Alex’s watch, Brennan’s of Houston achieved an Exxon Mobil four-star rating beginning in 2000, the Ivy Award and the AAA award among many other local and national awards and designations. Brennan’s has been recognized as one of the Distinguished Restaurants of North America for more than 10 years running, received the Santé “Wine and Spirits Hospitality” award in the Southwest Region for 2001 and 2002, and Zagat’s regularly lists Brennan’s among Houston’s most popular dining spots. Alex su