Speaker Bios

Brian Bilnoski, Principal of Crossbow Ventures Bio not available Back To Top ^

Kristie Chadwick, Director of UCF Venture Lab Kirstie Chadwick has nineteen years of experience in the high technology industry, and has worked for a variety of technology organizations, both large and small. Kirstie graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCF with a degree in Computer Science in 1987. After graduating, Kirstie worked as a software engineer at Lockheed Martin for five years. After leaving Lockheed Martin, Kirstie moved into business development and sales while working at two technology startups that have since become market leaders in their fields - Sun Microsystems and Wind River Systems. For the past fourteen years, Kirstie has worked almost exclusively at small startup technology companies, many of them based out of Silicon Valley. Kirstie's career at entrepreneurial startups cumulated in 1999 when Kirstie co-founded her own software company, DigitalOwl. As the CEO of DigitalOwl, Kirstie successfully raised $13.2 million in venture capital and angel financing, grew the company to 35 employees, and gained high profile clients such as McGraw-Hill, Time Warner, and SwissRE Insurance. As a result of her varied startup experiences, Kirstie has worked for companies that went public, that were purchased, and that failed. These experiences have provided Kirstie with an incredible amount of expertise in the dynamics of how successful startup technology firms grow and gain market share. In late December 2002 Kirstie retired from her career of managing high technology companies to pursue her Masters degree in Management at UCF, with a focus on building entrepreneurial teams. Kirstie completed her Masters degree in July 2004, and accepted the position of Director of UCF's Venture Lab in late August of 2004. Kirstie is the recipient of UCF's 2003 Presidential Fellowship Award, the 2001 Women Who Mean Business Award from the Orlando Business Journal, the 2001 Southeast Working Women Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, and the Dr. W. Judson King Memorial Award for entrepreneurs that make a difference in their communities. Kirstie was an active participant of Mayor Glenda Hood's Orlando High Tech Council. She sits on the Board of Directors for Florida's Digital Media Alliance, the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, and the Girl Scout Citrus Council. Kirstie loves hiking, kayaking, kickboxing, reading and jogging. She has run two marathons on behalf of the Leukemia Society, and is actively involved in the lives of her husband and two children. Back To Top ^

Sean Christiansen, Chief Technology Officer of UCF Venture Lab As Business Development Manager for L-3 Communications, Dr. Christiansen worked to secure new business opportunities in the trace explosive detection industry. In addition to a solid foundation in reaction kinetics and thermodynamics required for this position, Dr. Christiansen also possesses significant expertise in surface chemistry, the synthesis of nanocomposite materials, nuclear magnetic resonance and chemical kinetics. Prior to working in explosives detection, Dr. Christiansen spent five years in the fuel cell and hydrogen production industry and maintains active ties to this field. In April 2004 he was invited by Governor Jeb Bush to join a small, elite group of business professionals to form the Florida Hydrogen Business Partnership for helping the state to shape its hydrogen policies. In 2007, Sean joined the board of directors at the Orlando Science Center and accepted an invitation to join the Florida Energy Commission Advisory Group on Renewable Energy and Florida Solar Energy Center's Policy Advisory Board. Dr. Christiansen is committed to "giving back" to a community in which he grew up in. He serves on the executive board of directors at the Adult Literacy League and volunteers as a science fair judge. He is a graduate of Leadership Orlando and a member of the Tiger Bay Club of Orlando. Dr. Christiansen graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame and earned a Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1996. In 2001, Dr. Christiansen received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Back To Top ^

Bruce Clary, Assistant Director of University of Florida Office of Technology Licensing University of Florida alumnus. Over 24 years of university technology transfer experience. Assisted in forming the initial UF tech transfer office. Member Association of University Technology Managers. Manages intellectual property in the Information Technology; Medical Device; and Materials Science fields. Back To Top ^

Pauline Davis, Assistant Director of Small Business Development Center Pauline Davis is the Assistant Director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida. With more than 20 years experience working with small businesses, Pauline counsels clients and conducts seminars in the areas of starting a business, loan preparation, and business plan development. Pauline is able to provide her clients with invaluable knowledge on the process of starting a business due to her previous experience as a small business owner, and working for the City of Orlando spearheading their micro-loan program, and the Orlando Minority Business Development Center. She has been a member of numerous boards championing economic and business development. Pauline received an MBA from Long Island University, and is a Certified Business Analyst (CBA). Back To Top ^

Sandra Drummond, Partner of Myers & Kaplan Intellectual Property Law, LLC Originally from South Florida, and a graduate of University of Central Florida and Indiana University School of Law, Sandy is a registered Patent Attorney with experience representing clients ranging from individual first-time inventors to internationally recognized corporations. Sandy has considerable experience in developing and maintaining diverse worldwide intellectual property portfolios, and easily adapts her skills to a diverse selection of arts, having prosecuted patents in injection molding; audio technology; specialty vehicles, earth moving and landscaping equipment and tools; specialized engines, power systems and sensory systems; machine tools and hardware; sporting and recreational equipment; games; novelty goods; functional apparel, jewelry and accessories; cosmetic containers; medical devices including orthopedic braces, acupressure tools, pacing leads, and sleep apnea treatment devices; and business methods in the field of accounting, advertising and healthcare. Her patent practice also includes preparation of patentability and infringement opinions, reissue prosecution, and a particular focus on Patent Cooperation Treaty matters. In addition to patents, Sandy also has significant experience with trademarks, including prosecution, preparation of registrability opinions, and TTAB proceedings, representing clients whose recognizable trademark portfolios identify childcare and baby products, cosmetics, clothing lines, restaurants, and a variety of other goods and services. With experience in transactional matters including licensing and manufacturing agreements, and in litigation, particularly motion practice, Sandy offers her clients well-rounded, yet specialized representations in all aspects of intellectual property. Back To Top ^

Gordon Hogan, Business Development Executive of UCF Incubation Program Gordon H. Hogan is the Business Development Executive for the University of Central Florida Incubation Program. In this capacity Gordon provides mentoring and strategy development consulting for clients of the Incubation Program. In addition he is Site Manager of the UCF/City of Orlando technology incubator in downtown Orlando and the UCF Photonics Incubator. Gordon has a BS in Chemistry from Fort Hays State University plus graduate courses at the University of Kansas. Gordon was previously President of Central Florida Innovation Corporation (CFIC), a firm dedicated to creating and building technology companies in the region. Additional background includes 30 years experience as an executive, entrepreneur, and business consultant. His areas of expertise include matching technology to a market, preparing technology startups for first outside investment, resolving complex business issues and serving as an interim executive for technology startups. Back To Top ^

Michael Judith, Interim CEO of FredCo MilTech Michael Judith is currently interim CEO of FredCo MilTech, an Incubator Client. For the past 25 years he has been involved with the strategic planning, development, implementation and execution of numerous startup companies both US based and Internationally across a wide range of industries. Michael holds a Bachelors of Science in Marine Engineering and Nuclear Reactor Theory from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. He serves on Senator Martinez and Nelson's Academy Selection Board and has been guest lecture for numerous organizations such as the National Association of Foreign Consuls in the United States as well as the University of Central Florida's Excellence in Entrepreneurship Course. FredCo MilTech is developing climate control technologies for individual use in military, professional, leisure and recreation environments. Their first product is a micro-cooling device for the military that cools blood flow to the brain in high heat environments enabling the war fighter to maintain better concentration and faster reflexes. Back To Top ^

Leonard Keen, Partner of Myers & Kaplan Intellectual Property Law, LLC Leonard Keen, a native Floridian, is a Partner at Myers & Kaplan in its Orlando, FL office. Leonard combines more than twenty years of work in the technical, business and executive management fields with a passionate focus on intellectual property and business law. He is a registered patent attorney and is experienced serving clients ranging from start-up businesses to mid-sized, private and public corporations. As part of forging long-term relationships with his clients, Leonard strives to balance their business goals and strategies with the protection of their intellectual property. Such protection involves patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets; but, also includes training, strategic planning, negotiating and drafting contracts such as licenses, non-disclosure and asset purchase agreements. Leonard has successfully worked with researchers, technologists, programmers, designers, engineers, and business owners and executives, whether in laboratories, shop floors, business incubators or corporate board rooms. His patent practice includes prosecution and enforcement of patents for mechanical, biomedical, software and business method inventions. Florida Bar Business Law Section: Computer Law Committee, Intellectual Property Law Committee; American Bar Association Business Law and Intellectual Property Law Sections; American Intellectual Property Law Association University of Miami, B.S. Chemistry/Mathematics (1979) University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D. with Honors (2002) Back To Top ^

Andy Martin, Entrepreneur of Multiple Ventures Andy Martin is a proven general manager and entrepreneur with over 17-years of experience delivering profits across diverse business cultures and industries. He boasts expertise in strategy development, operations, brand management, new business creation and driving market penetration in both start-up and large, established organizations. Andy's track record includes bottom line results and demonstrated ability to successfully launch and manage a myriad of products and services to create breakthrough business outcomes. Most recently Andy served as Executive Vice President for Utopia, Inc. - an innovative data outsourcing firm with offshore operations in Bangalore, India. Andy co-founded the B2B company in 2003, and under his leadership grew the business from the original 3 founder team to over 125 employees and a customer base that includes several multi-billion dollar clients in North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific. Andy began his career as a U.S. Army Officer holding various positions of increased responsibility in the Field Artillery branch. In 1990 he transitioned out of the military to become a management consultant with Price Waterhouse in Texas serving petroleum industry IT clients. He later spent several years with Kraft Foods in Illinois developing new products as well as running large, established businesses such as Cracker Barrel, Breakstone's Sour Cream and Kraft Cheese Singles. Just prior to launching Utopia, Andy was President and Chief Operating Officer at Advance Publishers - a Florida based multimillion dollar publishing company and No. 1 player in its category. Among notable achievements, he created over $48 million in new product revenues and replaced archaic business strategy and development process with world-class operations and marketing disciplines and techniques. Andy is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering (Aerospace Systems). He also holds a MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and routinely lectures at universities regarding entrepreneurship and global outsourcing. Andy currently resides in Orlando, Florida with his wife and three children. Back To Top ^

Dean Monaco, Serial Entrepreneur of Mulitple Ventures Dean Monaco began his career in banking and finance after graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in accounting. He worked for a number of Fortune 100 companies before venturing out on his own. In the last decade, Dean has owned, operated and/or served on the Board of Directors for over 20 companies. As an entrepreneur, his business background has been very diverse, including everything from restaurants to technology. His business experiences have led him to work both on a national level as well as internationally. Dean remains involved in his community and has received the Jefferson Awards for Public Service for his efforts in working with Charity Challenge for 16 years. He currently sits on the Board for the charity which has raised over 5 million dollars since its inception. He is a lifetime member of the UCF Alumni Association and enjoys being a part of UCF's future. Currently, Dean is partnering with UCF, working with students and faculty in several start up companies focused on the development of both his and others' inventions in technology. Mr. Monaco resides on his ranch with his wife of 15 years and two children. In addition to his many business ventures, Dean also raises beef cattle and continues to support Florida agriculture. Back To Top ^

Jean-Ann Moses, Vice President Private Banker of RBC Bank Jean-Ann Moses is a Vice President and Private Banker for RBC Bank and is located at the Downtown Orlando State Headquarter office. For the past 2 ½ years she has been working with professionals, executives and higher net worth individuals to cultivate and strengthen relationships between them and RBC Bank. Through active networking and community involvement, Jean-Ann has been able to meet many new people and offer solutions to some of their most challenging financial situations. It is this ever increasing exposure and expertise that has allowed Jean-Ann to remain so successful in the financial services industry. Jean-Ann has been in banking for over 15 years and brings a very diverse background and wealth of knowledge to her existing clients as a result of her tenure and experiences within our constantly changing financial marketplace. She is also an alumnus of John Jay college of Criminal Justice and Hofstra University Originally calling New York her home, Jean-Ann relocated to Central Florida 19 years ago where she currently resides with her husband Gary (also a banker) and their two children Danielle (19) and Robert (16). Back To Top ^

Tom O'Neal of UCF Office of Research & Commercialization Associate VP for Research & Commercialization Associate Professor Director, UCF Incubation Program Tom currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Research at UCF and Director of the UCF Technology Incubator. O'Neal has been part of UCF's Office of Research and Commercialization team working to help UCF become a leading metropolitan research university. O'Neal areas of responsibility include the sponsored programs office, technology transfer, compliance, and the UCF technology incubator. Tom has a long history as an entrepreneur and has assisted in the formation of several spin-off companies for technologies developed at UCF. In 1999, he was a key member of a collaborative effort that resulted in the establishment of the UCF Technology Incubator in the Central Florida Research Park. The Incubator was recently named the Incubator of the Year at the annual international conference held by the National Business Incubator Association. Tom also serves as a core team member of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. O'Neal established partnerships for the Incubator with both the University and the Central Florida community to provide tools and resources that enhance the prospects for the success of developing companies. He also assembled a distinguished Advisory Board for the Incubator consisting of Central Florida business professionals that provide valuable assistance to the Incubator and more importantly, the clients it serves. Tom joined the UCF staff as the Associate Director for the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) in 1991. In this capacity, he was responsible for the business and administrative functions of the Center. The Center evolved into one of the top centers for education and research in optical sciences and engineering. Prior to joining UCF, Tom served as a Technology Specialist and Financial Director for a $40 million project with the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency for Florida's state university system. His position before that was that of project engineer for a computer manufacturing company based in Clearwater Florida. O'Neal received his Ph.D in Industrial Engineering, his Master of Science in Engineering Management, and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida. Back To Top ^

Rick Parks, Entrepreneur of Nurse Togather Rick Parks' early career included senior technical positions with companies like Chrysler and Abbott. As a founding member of the Healthcare EDI Council representing the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and a regular speaker on topics such as logistics and sales automation his contributions encompassed industry wide initiatives. Parks' first start-up was a break-through concept for sales automation. His company, Intec Systems Corporation, captured marquee customers including American Home Products, Kimberly Clark, Bristol-Myers and Digital Equipment Corporation. Intec was acquired by Symantec in 1994 to integrate features into its best-selling ACT! software. In 1995 Parks founded Endeavor Software, Inc. to develop a sales process management system incorporating endorsed by Solution Selling® author Michael T. Bosworth. In just two years, Endeavor was acquired by a publicly traded consulting firm as the platform for its sales process reengineering practice. Soon after, Parks did it again, starting his 3rd company, SalesWare which was acquired in 2000 by Front Range Solutions (Goldmine). Back To Top ^

Jerry Ross, Executive Director of The Disney Entrepreneur Center Jerry Ross is an experienced entrepreneur whose two decades of experience include leadership positions with AT&T, Ohio Bell, and Goal Systems Software. His local entrepreneurial ventures include Sky-Tracker of Florida, Semco Properties, and Maverick Business Magazine. In 2007, Jerry was selected in a nationwide search to become the Executive Director of the Disney Entrepreneur Center located in Orlando. The Entrepreneur Center is a unique public/private partnership, which is home to 10 business support organizations who are all dedicated to the development and growth of small businesses throughout Florida. He has been called a "virtual business incubator" and "a small business grower" by the Orlando Business Journal for his entrepreneurial success and his on-going support of the small business community. He has been nominated for small businessman of the year by the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce; has published numerous business articles, and is a frequent guest on business radio. Jerry speaks at business conventions throughout the U.S., and he has participated in conferences as far away as Mexico and Egypt. He is a graduate of Heidelberg College, has an MBA from Dayton University, and is a Certified Business Consultant from the University of Central Florida. Back To Top ^