Leadership Team
INCubatoredu
Mrs. Kimberly Seagren |
ACCELerator
Mrs. Kimberly Seagren |
Coaching Team
Mark Kretzinger, The Eat Purely Company
Coaching Role: Group Ideation
Coaching Role: Group Ideation
Mark has 16 Years of Creative New Product Development blending Food Science & 25 years of Culinary Arts Experience. Accountabilities have included being a team member at the Executive Level of Vice President for companies in the $50MM to $500MM range and most recently as a consultant functioning as the company's COO. In August 2014 Mark started his own consulting business located in West Dundee, IL and it is named Adlib Product Development. His previous R&D teams have been responsible for over $500 Million dollars of new product introductions over a span of 16 years. Current project include working with a $100MM Side Dish manufacturer
AT PERRONE, LAW OFFICE OF MATHEW PERRONE
COACHING ROLE: LEGAL WORKSHOP, PART TWO: PATENTS & CONTRACTS (2/29-3/1)
COACHING ROLE: LEGAL WORKSHOP, PART TWO: PATENTS & CONTRACTS (2/29-3/1)
TBA
TBA
Mentoring Team
Geri Alexander, Fresenius-Kabi USA and LeadHERshift!
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
HIGHLY MOTIVATED, INNOVATIVE IT / ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL
Consistently recognized by senior staff and colleagues for leadership, professionalism, commitment, and expertise.
Comprehensive technical background and depth of experience in positions of increasing responsibility in managing, installing, integrating, and testing complex mission-critical communication systems and networks. Proficient in quality assurance, project management, test management, AGILE and Waterfall test methodologies, requirements analysis, software / system design, and process improvements spanning the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Demonstrated success in managing deadlines, problem solving, troubleshooting, and improving work flows. Mentor and coach to junior staff; morale-builder among and across teams by sharing ideas and fostering an environment of collaboration. Excellent communication, organization, time management, and presentation skills.
Consistently recognized by senior staff and colleagues for leadership, professionalism, commitment, and expertise.
Comprehensive technical background and depth of experience in positions of increasing responsibility in managing, installing, integrating, and testing complex mission-critical communication systems and networks. Proficient in quality assurance, project management, test management, AGILE and Waterfall test methodologies, requirements analysis, software / system design, and process improvements spanning the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Demonstrated success in managing deadlines, problem solving, troubleshooting, and improving work flows. Mentor and coach to junior staff; morale-builder among and across teams by sharing ideas and fostering an environment of collaboration. Excellent communication, organization, time management, and presentation skills.
Bill works for EMC Corporation, a technology company and the world leader in data storage, cloud computing, big data, and information security. He joined EMC in 1999 and is currently responsible for customer service for the USA. Before working for EMC Bill worked for IBM and served in the US Navy aboard aircraft carriers. Bill enjoys traveling, meeting with customers, and, more than anything, spending time with his family.
Bill and his wife, Brenda, moved to Algonquin in 2000. There are four Boehm children. Two have graduated from HDJ and the other two are still in D300. Bill grew up in central OH and is an Ohio State fan. He likes the White Sox and will cheer for the Cubbies when they make it to the playoffs this year.
Bill and his wife, Brenda, moved to Algonquin in 2000. There are four Boehm children. Two have graduated from HDJ and the other two are still in D300. Bill grew up in central OH and is an Ohio State fan. He likes the White Sox and will cheer for the Cubbies when they make it to the playoffs this year.
Leader, idea guy and founder of Emmett’s Brewing Co. Andy has expertise in start-ups, operations and brand creation. He is an experienced manager of people and assets; traits he learned while servings as a Marine Corps Officer. Andy has been a featured speaker at the Top Small Workplaces Conference, Craft Brewers Conference and he is an adjunct teacher at the Siebel Institute for Brewing Science. Andy has grown his company from an idea into an award-winning brewery restaurant with 150 employees and four Chicago area locations.
Andy and his wife Suzanne have been married for 21 years and have three sons. When he’s not working Andy enjoys renovating his family’s vintage home and coaching his boy’s ice hockey teams.
Andy and his wife Suzanne have been married for 21 years and have three sons. When he’s not working Andy enjoys renovating his family’s vintage home and coaching his boy’s ice hockey teams.
Yosuf Chaudhry, PepsiCo
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
The yin to each other’s yang, Sin and Lindsay come as a mentor team! Having founded Stellar Edge Marketing Group in 2011, Sin and Lindsay have experience providing event planning, marketing and design services to businesses of all sizes in a wide variety of industries.
Having previously mentored two successful DCHS teams (ThreadIt and Cleat Defense), Sin and Lindsay are familiar with what needs to be accomplished to be successful in the INCubator program. We don’t like to lose so if we are your mentor match, be ready to work hard!
Sin and Lindsay can help teams bring their ideas to market and help them think through the entire BMC. Their ties to the community and large professional network allow them to refer teams to a number of different resources in other areas as well.
Having previously mentored two successful DCHS teams (ThreadIt and Cleat Defense), Sin and Lindsay are familiar with what needs to be accomplished to be successful in the INCubator program. We don’t like to lose so if we are your mentor match, be ready to work hard!
Sin and Lindsay can help teams bring their ideas to market and help them think through the entire BMC. Their ties to the community and large professional network allow them to refer teams to a number of different resources in other areas as well.
Christina and her husband own multiple companies together: www.omnicommercialgroup.com, www.omnicontainment.com, www.oclighting.com. She heads the Construction company (WBE certified) and manages the daily operations of the Lighting and Services companies as well. Christina graduated from Illinois State University in 1993 with a BS in Business Administration. She handles everything from payroll, quotes to major financial decisions. Her and her husband started these companies from the ground up and have learned many lessons along the way. They have a laid back office atmosphere and try to maintain a family way of doing business. Most of their employees have been with the company for 15+ years!
Christina graduated in 1989 from DCHS and her husband graduated in 1984 - the first year of the merged Irving Crown and Dundee High School. She won the Foo Fighter's Garage Tour in 2011 and met them! They ended up playing their concert at Village Pizza instead of her house, as it was 32 degrees rain/snow that April day!
Christina graduated in 1989 from DCHS and her husband graduated in 1984 - the first year of the merged Irving Crown and Dundee High School. She won the Foo Fighter's Garage Tour in 2011 and met them! They ended up playing their concert at Village Pizza instead of her house, as it was 32 degrees rain/snow that April day!
Kevin started his first business at 18. That developed into a partnership that lead to the establishing of Delicia Tropical Cafe, a family owned and operated restaurant in Elgin serving Puerto Rican food. Kevin's company now operates a Shared use Kitchen in Elgin and is working to open two more by the end of this year. His current job duties include everything from finding and managing investor relationships to overseeing the long term strategic growth of PKE Enterprieses Inc, which manages and oversees all of the company holdings. PKE Enterprises is on the fore front of shared use space development with Dream Kitchen, Envisage Coworking, and few other concepts that are under development.
Kevin is a U-46 Grad and his wife attended D300 - two years at DCHS and eventually graduating from Jacobs High School. He was featured in a documentary called Latins Living the American Dream, which was directed by Eva Longoria in collaboration with the Pepsi you Sumo campaign during the last US census. The documentary was featured on the Mundo Fox television station. Kevin was one of three top runners for the Verizon Latino of The Year award in 2013. During his early years he was an avid tree house builder. He was consumed with working his summers building stuff, finding resources to build, and putting his friends to work on the projects.
Kevin is a U-46 Grad and his wife attended D300 - two years at DCHS and eventually graduating from Jacobs High School. He was featured in a documentary called Latins Living the American Dream, which was directed by Eva Longoria in collaboration with the Pepsi you Sumo campaign during the last US census. The documentary was featured on the Mundo Fox television station. Kevin was one of three top runners for the Verizon Latino of The Year award in 2013. During his early years he was an avid tree house builder. He was consumed with working his summers building stuff, finding resources to build, and putting his friends to work on the projects.
CHRISTOPHER NELSON, COMCAST
MENTORING ROLE:
MENTORING ROLE:
Currently, Susan is the Director of Marketing for Santa's Village Azoosment Park. This is by far the most rewarding position of her career. She is fortunate enough to be responsible for all aspects of marketing and advertising for the park. Although Santa's Village Azoosement Park celebrated it's 55th season in 2014, the park has been under new ownership since 2010. She has been responsible for re-branding a historic park that her guests hold very near and dear. As she develops her marketing and advertising plan, she builds on the nostalgia while embracing the new! Susan's responsibilities include: concepts, creation and design of print ads, billboards, radio copy, website and all social media platforms.
Prior to Santa's Village Azoosment Park, she began her career as the Manager of Tourism for the Shedd Aquarium where she spent 5 years, from there she was an Corporate Account Manager at Six Flags Great America for 9 years. She have been extremely fortunate in her career allowing her to work for organizations that are well known and generations of visitors have grown to love. She has traveled both domestically and internationally on behalf of the organizations she has worked for. Professional awards earned include: Outstanding Customer Service- Shedd Aquarium, Account Representative of the Year for 2 consecutive years in a row- Six Flags Great America. Susan volunteers as a Girl Scout Leader and is a weekly volunteer at an area animal shelter.
Outside of work, Susan spends time with her 10 year-old daughter, friends and family. She is the youngest of four siblings and the only girl. It was a goal early in life to prove girls can do and be anything they want. Susan encourages students to "listen to your inner voice and let your passion drive your future. If you choose a job you love, you will never work a day in your life."
Prior to Santa's Village Azoosment Park, she began her career as the Manager of Tourism for the Shedd Aquarium where she spent 5 years, from there she was an Corporate Account Manager at Six Flags Great America for 9 years. She have been extremely fortunate in her career allowing her to work for organizations that are well known and generations of visitors have grown to love. She has traveled both domestically and internationally on behalf of the organizations she has worked for. Professional awards earned include: Outstanding Customer Service- Shedd Aquarium, Account Representative of the Year for 2 consecutive years in a row- Six Flags Great America. Susan volunteers as a Girl Scout Leader and is a weekly volunteer at an area animal shelter.
Outside of work, Susan spends time with her 10 year-old daughter, friends and family. She is the youngest of four siblings and the only girl. It was a goal early in life to prove girls can do and be anything they want. Susan encourages students to "listen to your inner voice and let your passion drive your future. If you choose a job you love, you will never work a day in your life."
JENNIFER REDISI, CAFE ROMA AND ORACLE
mentoring ROLE:
mentoring ROLE:
A graduate of Iowa State University, Michelle Reisdorf has spent almost 20 years in the Staffing Industry placing highly skilled Administrative and Accounting & Finance professionals. Working for Robert Half has allowed her to touch many lives both professionally through job placement and personally through volunteer work with Boys and Girls Club and Dress for Success.
Michelle also has owned 2 all star cheer gyms in McHenry county which allowed her the opportunity to work with many very talented athletes and help to coach and mentor them. She has had the pleasure of starting a business from the ground up and growing it into one of the top gyms in Illinois. On top of that, Michelle feels there has been nothing better than to watch the children that they coach grow into successful adults.
She has lived in D300 for over 20 years and has had 4 children graduate from D300 schools. Michelle's claim to fame is that she went to grade school with Melissa McCarthy and had many a sleepover with her and says she was as funny then as she is now.
Michelle also has owned 2 all star cheer gyms in McHenry county which allowed her the opportunity to work with many very talented athletes and help to coach and mentor them. She has had the pleasure of starting a business from the ground up and growing it into one of the top gyms in Illinois. On top of that, Michelle feels there has been nothing better than to watch the children that they coach grow into successful adults.
She has lived in D300 for over 20 years and has had 4 children graduate from D300 schools. Michelle's claim to fame is that she went to grade school with Melissa McCarthy and had many a sleepover with her and says she was as funny then as she is now.
Jason Sierpien started working at Santa's Village as a teenager in the barn and stayed involved as a horseshoer for the park after graduating high school (DCHS Class of '93). Jason started a mobile animal business, A Zoo to You Inc. that quickly became a prominent animal entertainment company. In 2010 he was given the opportunity to combine his passion for animals with his love for Santa's Village. Along with a partner and the support of his wife, Amy and children, he reopened Santa's Village Azoosment Park. He takes deep pride and passion for providing an exceptional and outstanding guest experience to every single visitor who walks through the park gates. He is a hands-on executive leader who leads from the front and works tirelessly to turn each and every guest experience into a lifelong memory.
JAMIE STORY, PERFICIENT
MENTORING ROLE:
MENTORING ROLE:
Jamie Story is a Director of Business Development for Perficient, Inc., a $500 million technology and management consulting firm. Jamie and his team work with large organizations as they go through digital transformation. We help identify and align Perficient's services to enable businesses to capture and cultivate their own customers using the latest in cloud and mobile technologies. Perficient was recently awarded Microsoft's United States Enterprise Partner of the Year.
Prior to Perficient, Jamie founded and was involved in several early stage companies, all of which were involved in providing Microsoft-related services to corporations. The first of these startups was one of the very first partners to Microsoft - before almost anyone had heard of Windows or Microsoft. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with degrees in Finance and Computer Science, Jamie spent seven years writing software and managing databases in the commodity markets in Chicago. Jamie currently serves on a board which does fund raising for the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Food Pantry.
Jamie's oldest daughter is a graduate of Dundee-Crown and now attends University of Iowa. He has two other children currently attending DCHS: a daughter who is a Junior and a son who is a Freshman. Jamie met Bill Gates before and after he was one of the richest men in the world. He has also met - on multiple occasions - Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft and now current owner of the NBA's LA Clippers.
Prior to Perficient, Jamie founded and was involved in several early stage companies, all of which were involved in providing Microsoft-related services to corporations. The first of these startups was one of the very first partners to Microsoft - before almost anyone had heard of Windows or Microsoft. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with degrees in Finance and Computer Science, Jamie spent seven years writing software and managing databases in the commodity markets in Chicago. Jamie currently serves on a board which does fund raising for the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Food Pantry.
Jamie's oldest daughter is a graduate of Dundee-Crown and now attends University of Iowa. He has two other children currently attending DCHS: a daughter who is a Junior and a son who is a Freshman. Jamie met Bill Gates before and after he was one of the richest men in the world. He has also met - on multiple occasions - Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft and now current owner of the NBA's LA Clippers.
ANDY SUAREZ, REALM OF TECH
MENTORING ROLE:
MENTORING ROLE:
Keith Lukes, Ubistar
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
Currently working at UbiStor as the Director of Channel Solutions. I manage our global partner relationships which includes companies like CDW and PCM, assisting them with the design of Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions for small businesses up to enterprise sized customers. I also manage all aspects for our Marketing Strategy and assist with Product Development to integrate new technologies and services for our partners and end customers. I have been a featured speaker at CommvaultGO, discussing how our customers are leveraging the cloud for their disaster recovery strategies.
Previously, I spent 10 Years running my own IT Services Companies focused on managing technologies for small and medium sized business in the Chicagoland Area. I have extensive experience deploying and configuring a wide range of IT solutions and helping companies use technology to build their business. I graduated from Northwestern with a Degree in Communication Systems and have spent the last two years as the Technology Coach for INCubator 1.
I have a daughter who is a DC graduate and in her second year at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a daughter who is a Sophomore at DC, and a son in Kindergarten at Dundee Highlands. I also have a three year old daughter at home. I love playing softball, spending time with my wife and family, hanging out in Chicago and I am a huge Chicago sports fan.
Previously, I spent 10 Years running my own IT Services Companies focused on managing technologies for small and medium sized business in the Chicagoland Area. I have extensive experience deploying and configuring a wide range of IT solutions and helping companies use technology to build their business. I graduated from Northwestern with a Degree in Communication Systems and have spent the last two years as the Technology Coach for INCubator 1.
I have a daughter who is a DC graduate and in her second year at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a daughter who is a Sophomore at DC, and a son in Kindergarten at Dundee Highlands. I also have a three year old daughter at home. I love playing softball, spending time with my wife and family, hanging out in Chicago and I am a huge Chicago sports fan.
Joan Sage and Mike Pullos, Comcast Team
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
The Comcast Government & Regulatory Affairs Team consists of Director Chris Nelson, Manager Mike Paulos, and Manager Joan Sage.
Mike Paulos spent a decade working for the City of Chicago before joining Comcast in 2008.
Joan Sage has years of experience in marketing, sales, and business development.
Mike Paulos spent a decade working for the City of Chicago before joining Comcast in 2008.
Joan Sage has years of experience in marketing, sales, and business development.
Alan Miller, Geneva Capital
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
I am a CPA with an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship from University of Chicago Booth School of Business.Invested in and was a co founder of many start up companies. From a learning perspective, I probably learned more from the failures than the successes. Was CFO for a start up company that went public via IPO.
Right now my focus is on investing in commercial real estate, developing new real estate projects in Florida and Illinois and investing in the stock market. I am also a co-founder of LifeZone 360 a new sports, health and recreation complex in the former Target building by Spring Hill Mall.The greatest area I can help any team is what is the financial model behind the business, how much capital will it require, and what is the potential return on the capital invested.
I am glad to provide any team my thoughts on the risk/reward of their business concept from an investor's perspective.
Right now my focus is on investing in commercial real estate, developing new real estate projects in Florida and Illinois and investing in the stock market. I am also a co-founder of LifeZone 360 a new sports, health and recreation complex in the former Target building by Spring Hill Mall.The greatest area I can help any team is what is the financial model behind the business, how much capital will it require, and what is the potential return on the capital invested.
I am glad to provide any team my thoughts on the risk/reward of their business concept from an investor's perspective.
Austin Werner, Real Seal
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
I started Real Seal at 25 and have continually grown it to what it is today and what it will be tomorrow. Once I learned to listen to others who have come before me, the growth of my company accelerated drastically. Every single person who has made it big has had big help, this is not a path walked alone.I can only guide you, the point of this is to grow within yourselves and the company. My goal will be to keep you focused, on track, and give direction when you feel lost.
“The most difficult of subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” – Leo Tolstoy
“The most difficult of subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” – Leo Tolstoy
Cherie Efken, C. Estate Sales
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
I am the owner of C. Estate Sales. I have been in business for the past 22 years. I have always managed all aspects of my company from advertising, finance, customer relations and employees. My experience in all aspects of starting a service based company, while keeping a low overhead is one of my great strengths.
Past BNI President
CestateSales.com
Past BNI President
CestateSales.com
Michelle Follman, SOgeti Alliances
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
I have over 10 years of B2B Marketing experience in the IT and tech manufacturing industries. My goal has always been to create and execute marketing strategies that are highly creative, exciting, sustainable, relevant and cost effective.
Laura Hopkins, Joy wave
Mentoring Role:
Mentoring Role:
I work as a co-creator with motivated forward thinkers to help you reach your goals
Board of "Investors"
MVP Pitches
Sara Burnett, Uncharted Learning Melissa Hernandez , Kane County Chamber Kyla Duewel, Max McGraw Wildlife |
In-Class Pitches
Amy Lutes: D300 Business Dept. Melissa Davidson Porte Brown LLC Matt Wilhelmi Individual Advantages Scott Hansen Responsive Mailroom Bette Fetter Young Rembrandts Franchise Cheryl Wedell Arbonne International Mike Novelli Imago Creative |
Pitch Night
Amy Lutes: D300 Business Dept. Melissa Davidson Porte Brown LLC Matt Wilhelmi Individual Advantages Scott Hansen Responsive Mailroom Bette Fetter Young Rembrandts Franchise Cheryl Wedell Arbonne International Mike Novelli Imago Creative Mark Seigle Seigle’s Cabinet Center |