Speaker Bios

Paul Angott, Serial Entrepreneur of $100M sales off 40 Patents Mr. Angott has sold over $100 million of his patented products. He has over 40 patents and his products are in 3,000 retail accounts such as Home Depot, Lowers, Sears, ACE, True Value Hardware, Wal-Mart, among others. He has been on radio and TV as a marketing consultant. He taught a course called, "I've got this great invention, now what do I do" at Oakland University. Angott's degree is from Oakland University in Engineering and he graduated as Student of Great Distinction. Mr. Angott has created over 100 products from inception. This includes clock thermostats, belt-drive ceiling fans (sold $6 MM in one year), wireless consumer products such as wireless doorbells, wireless security systems, an unmanned commercial lawn mower, etc. He starts with concept, does research, analyzes manufacturing and cost, marketing and sales, builds prototypes and takes them into production. He focuses on product cost as well as marketing & sales. One of his companies, Dimango Products Corporation won 22 awards at the National Hardware Show in Chicago for innovation and marketing. He has started four companies and been an entrepreneur for over 30 years. He started Dimango Products Corporation in 1983 with a loan for $60,000 and grew the company to $12 million in sales. He successfully sold the company to a Fortune 500 firm on the New York Stock Exchange. He prides himself on innovation and personal integrity. Back To Top ^

Richard Beedon, Founder & CEO of MacBeedon Partners, LLC Richard (Dick) has spent over 30 years in the technology arena. During that time, Dick acted as the principal financial and strategic architect in the successful formation, funding, growth and sale/IPO of 3 of the 4 companies. Currently Dick is the CEO of The MacBeedon Group which is a private investment company in Ann Arbor MI. MacBeedon has two current investments, ActivCore and uRefer. Dick has an active management role in ActivCore as CEO and sits on the Board of Directors of both companies. Prior to MacBeedon, Dick led the acquisition and subsequent turnaround of Entyre Doc Prep. Dick bought the service company and led the creation of the mortgage industry leading web services document creation and management software product X4. The company was sold to Wolters Kluwer, a multi-billion dollar financial services company based out of Amsterdam, in October 2005. Prior to Entyre, Mr. Beedon was Founder/CEO/President of JustTalk from January 2000. Mr. Beedon was in charge of all strategic planning, fundraising, business development and sales for JustTalk. During his two years at JustTalk, JustTalk became the leader of employee facing speech recognition applications. Prior to JustTalk, Richard Beedon was Founder and CEO/President of University Netcasting from January 1993 through January 2000. University Netcasting managed the web sites for major Division 1 athletic departments. Under Beedon, the company grew to manage over 65 universities in the country including Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Alabama, U of Washington, Cal and many others. In June of 1999, University Netcasting merged with Student Advantage and had a successful IPO in conjunction with the merger that raised over $80M and had a combined market capitalization of over $1B. The company is now known as collegesports.com and was recently purchase by CBS (Viacom). It currently attracts over 12 million unique visitors per month. Mr. Beedon has held several sales and sales management positions in the computer and technology industries, including positions at IBM, Prime Computer and Horizons Technology Inc. (HTI). Mr. Beedon has continually been in the top 1%-5% of all sales performers and has won many national sales awards. Mr. Beedon has been actively involved in all aspects of sales, sales management and business development including strategic planning, channel marketing and execution. Mr. Beedon currently sits on the Board Of Directors at GDI, The Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce and The Growing Tree and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. Back To Top ^

Greg Eskridge, Founder of Consult Kinetic Greg Eskridge, President and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Eskridge founded Kinetic Group in 2001 after a seventeen year career at Silicon Graphics, Inc. serving in a variety of senior management roles serving the Automotive, Aerospace and Defense Industries. He has extensive experience in leading geographically dispersed systems engineering, application programming, technical consulting and project management teams in all phases of pre-sales, needs assessment, delivery and support of complex consulting engagements to fortune one hundred commercial and federal government customers. He is a passionate professional with over 21 years experience designing, developing and leading successful professional services marketing, consulting sales, business development and delivery organizations. Mr. Eskridge's diverse background includes revenue and gross margin responsibility for business intelligence, high performance computing, SAN, customer support and graphics / real-time applications development business units. In addition, he has an outstanding track record in leveraging consulting organizations and key partner relationships to drive software, hardware and consulting sales. Mr. Eskridge holds a Bachelors in Mathematics (1981) with Advanced Education Certifications from the University of Michigan. Back To Top ^

Art Espey, CEO of www.4Steps2.com Art Espey is founder and CEO of 4Steps2.com; an inventor development company that helps inventors and innovators develop and implement commercialization strategies for their inventions, research and intellectual property. Art is a serial entrepreneur who has been involved in numerous startups and middle market restructurings. Art has been a General Manager in an Inc. 500 company and recently led a middle market company into the Top 100 in its industry nationwide. Art is a former US Marine Corps Officer and an Eagle Scout. He has sat on numerous boards and commissions in the public policy, non-profit and for profit sectors. Art has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and a Master of Science from Eastern Michigan University Back To Top ^

Lawrence G. Almeda, Attorney at Law of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione Lawrence G. Almeda is a shareholder at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione (founded in 1917), one of the nation's largest Intellectual Property law firms. Mr. Almeda chairs the firm's Nanotechnology Practice Group. He focuses his practice on patent opinions and prosecution in the medical, chemical, nanotechnology and mechanical arts. Particularly, his practice has an emphasis on patent protection on medical devices, nanomaterials, micro- and nano-devices, chemical processes, polymers, fuel cells, and hybrid engines. Mr. Almeda also has significant experience in counseling clients on patent infringement and validity evaluations. Mr. Almeda is a Director at Large of the Washtenaw County Bar Association where has served as chair to both its Intellectual Property Law and Business Law sections. He is also the immediate past President of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Mr. Almeda is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Detroit, a regional leadership program sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation. He is a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs and has recently been appointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, State Advisory Committee. Mr. Almeda received his LL.M. in Intellectual Property from The John Marshall Law School, his J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School, where he was a published member of the Law Review, and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University. Back To Top ^

Sandy Kronenberg, Chairman & President of Netarx Sandy is well versed in industry standards and best practices associated with information technology. During his career he has consulted, planned, and implemented IT solutions for countless organizations in North America. He initially gained this knowledge by working on the systems of one of the first sites connected to NSFNET (The original Internet). This experience was added to by serving as the lead technician at a Michigan-based network integration firm and Internet Service Provider. Following that training, Sandy founded Netarx, Inc. - a network integration and services organization providing business transforming technology solutions throughout North America. Netarx focuses on advanced technologies including Unified Communications and Data Center Services. In addition to his duties at Netarx, Sandy is an entrepreneur assisting new start-ups. Sandy contributes to the IT community via lectures, publications and develops new technologies (he currently holds three U.S. Patents issued and has two more pending). Back To Top ^

Kenneth L. Harris, Chairman, President, CEO of International Detroit Black Expo Kenneth L. Harris is known for his maverick-like style in his approach to altering societal and economic challenges within his community. An avid reader and socially-conscious individual, Kenneth has always been passionate about helping African-Americans and other minorities realize their dreams, most importantly through entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. He found it necessary to bridge the gap between minority-owned businesses throughout the region and founded the International Detroit Black Expo, Incorporated (IDBE) on May 24, 2004. -Apostle, n. def. - a pioneer of any reform movement- Born and raised in the City of Detroit, Kenneth L. Harris is the Founder, President and CEO of the International Detroit Black Expo, Inc., an economic empowerment agent for African-American businesses in the State of Michigan. Over the last few years, the nonprofit organization has grown exponentially to more than 7,500 African-American business members across the State of Michigan providing a stronghold in the community. It is his affable demeanor, charisma, motivating spirit coupled with business savvy and his continuous remembrance of his ancestors' struggle that has given Mr. Harris the wings to successfully improve the culture of entrepreneurship in Metro Detroit and throughout the country. His most significant organizational success to date is the fruition of the Detroit Black Expo, a three-day marketplace exposition for Metro Detroit families and business community held June 5-7, 2009 at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit that attracted more than 100,000 attendees in a two year period and 1,000 national exhibits. Kenneth has made tremendous landmarks and professional accomplishments at the young age of 34, such as the first African-American Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Southfield and the first African-American Director of Greek Affairs at Wayne State University. Additionally, he is the first African-American Counseling Psychologist for St. John Community Health and is currently the first African-American Director of Minority Business Development and Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, Inc. Kenneth also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Michigan Center for Fair Housing, the United Negro College Fund, the First Independence Bank Community Development Corporation and the NAACP - Detroit Branch Economic Empowerment Committee Chairperson. He is an active life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masonry, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few. Recently, Kenneth L. Harris received the U.S. Small Business (SBA) 2007 Minority Business Advocate of the Year award, inducted into Crain's Detroit Business Class of 2007 40 under 40 and Who's Who in Black Detroit Most Influential. Kenneth was most recently honored by the Michigan Women's Marketplace & CEED as the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year. Kenneth also received the 2008 Excellence Award for Economic Empowerment by 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc. Kenneth also received the 2009 CBS-WWJ 950 Emerging Leader Under 40 Award for Black History Month. Kenneth graduated with a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling Psychology both from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently a Ph.D. Wayne State University in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and has received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Detroit's Lewis College of Business in 2008. Back To Top ^

Carl Meyering, Chairman & CEO of The Meyering Corporation, Development Bankers Carl Meyering, MBE, is Chairman & CEO of The Meyering Corporation, Development Bankers that assist private firms in evaluating their financial situation and developing solutions. Most business executives do not take the time to evaluate their firm's financial situation. This lack of attention can lead to severe money problems. The Meyering Corporation also specializes in the licensing and evaluation of patents and new inventions. TMC was the first Licensing firm to use patent royalties as a method of financing patent development. Carl Meyering has served on the board of directors of the Michigan Center for High Technology and is immediate past chairperson. Governor John Engler appointed him to the State of Michigan Venture Capital Commission. He was a founding member and chair of the Southeastern Michigan Venture group for 15 years. Carl serves on several private company boards of directors. He is a board member of the Michigan Photographic Historical Society. Meyering has written numerous articles and spoken at the major Big Ten universities to their graduate business students. Carl Meyering is a retired United States Marine Corps Officer and a member of the Red Coats (the USMC retired officer group in the Detroit area). He also is a member of Grosse Pointe Memorial Church and has served as a Trustee, Deacon and Elder. A member of the International Combat Photographers Association and a member of the Pacific Stars and Stripes Newspaper alumni group. Carl is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Grosse Pointe. A founding board president of the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church Ecumenical Men's Breakfast group formed 39 years ago. Carl is an avid worker in non-profit fundraising. He firmly believes that the caring people of the Metro Detroit area are very generous with their time and money. Back To Top ^

Jayson Pankin, New Venture Creation Specialist of Delphi Technologies, Inc. Jayson leads Delphi Technologies, Inc.'s commercialization activities targeting spin-outs of potential "game changing technologies" into start-up companies. This includes creating internal incubators and external ventures, such as the spinoffss of SpaceForm, Inc. to commercialize a revolutionary metal welding technology, and Monarch Antenna, to bring to market an advanced reception system applicable to next generation consumer and military wireless devices. Both DTI and its spinouts have received significant awards and recognition from industry groups and the trade media. Jayson is developing a pipeline of disruptive technologies as candidates for future spinout, including the smart antennas, infrared sensors, nano materials, hydrogen generation and storage and application software innovations. For over twenty-five years, Jayson has been a venture partner specializing in early stage and turnaround situations. He has started and participated in new ventures in a variety of industries: biotechnology, material sciences, retail, insurance, software, manufacturing and packaging. He has worked with numerous universities and Fortune 1,000 companies to acquire emerging technologies and form commercialization partnerships to grow new products and companies. He was a founder of Titan Auto, Inc., one of the largest insurance companies in Michigan and has advanced the commercialization of artificial blood and biological therapies for cancer and other serious illnesses. He started a non-profit foundation in Russia that used the broadcast media to disseminate pro-democracy motion pictures throughout the former Soviet Union. He earned his BBA in Accounting and MBA in International Business at the George Washington University. Back To Top ^

Derek Richmond, Attorney of The Nath Law Group Derek Richmond is a Partner in the Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering Department of The Nath Law Group. Mr. Richmond's practice areas include patent litigation, interferences, and prosecution. He is experienced in writing infringement and validity opinions, counseling clients and negotiating licenses. Mr. Richmond is also experienced in the field of thermodynamics and equipment design for industrial uses. Mr. Richmond received a J.D. degree in 2000 from the National Law Center of The George Washington University. In 1997, Mr. Richmond received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Thermal Fluid Systems Design from Lawrence Technological University. Back To Top ^

Matt Roush, Editor of Great Lakes IT Report Matt Roush joined WWJ Newsradio 950 in 2001 to spearhead the launch of the Great Lakes IT Report, a daily e-mail newsletter covering the technology world from a Michigan perspective. GLITR, as the publication is known, covers tech broadly, including hardware, software, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, tech education, automotive telematics, and most recently, renewable energy technologies. Prior to joining WWJ and GLITR, Roush spent more than 10 years at Crain's Detroit Business as a reporter. Hired in 1990 to cover banking and finance, Roush's beat switched to retailing in 1994. While covering retailing, Roush discovered a then-novel medium called the Internet, and was instantly hooked. In 1998 he started covering technology full time, and helped launch a tech news Web site for Crain's, CrainTech.com, in 2000. Prior to Crain's, Roush covered beats as varied as business, health care, local government and real estate for the Kalamazoo Gazette, the Traverse City Record-Eagle, the Leelanau Enterprise and the Three Rivers Commercial. Roush, a resident of Dearborn, is active in his community and church. He has won numerous journalism awards from the Associated Press, UPI and the Association of Area Business Publications. His hobbies include cooking, camping, hiking, cross country skiing, astronomy, gardening, and building and flying model rockets. Roush is a native of Three Rivers and a 1978 graduate of Albion College. Back To Top ^

Lewis Walker, President of Lawrence Technological University a Back To Top ^

Mark Winter, Partner of Identity PR Mark is a co-founder of Identity Marketing & Public Relations where he shares day-to-day responsibilities for the management and growth of the firm. He has more than 17 years of experience in the development and execution of creative, meaningful and measurable marketing and media relations programs. During that time, Mark has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, small and midsize companies and large corporations establish their brands, tell their stories, generate awareness, soften their sales process and meet their goals. Mark's passion for business mirrors his love for fishing. "There are many parallels between the two. My grandfather used to tell me 'you will never catch a thing if your line isn't in the water.' He would also say 'if you make consistent and quality casts, I guarantee you will catch fish.' It did not seem like much at the time, but those were true life lessons. They are the same messages of commitment, consistency, continuity and patience that we communicate to our clients each and every day." Winter, who serves as a board member for the Detroit Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), is a 1990 graduate of Western Michigan University where he earned degrees in both marketing and public relations. Back To Top ^