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Wendy Allan
Wendy Allan is the Purchasing Manager and Small Business Liaison
Officer for Pacific Western Technologies, Ltd. She is responsible
for establishing and maintaining the company’s procurement
system and small business program in accordance with federal government
regulations. Ms. Allan has worked in the federal government arena
for more than fifteen years in the capacity of both small business
liaison officer and procurement manager.
Kathryn Arbour
Kathryn
Arbour spent 25 years as an executive with Fortune 500 companies.
She most recently held the role of Vice President of People and
Change at Group Voyagers in Littleton. She held similar positions
at Travelers Insurance, Smith Barney and Kaiser Permanente. Kathryn
holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, is a published writer,
and currently serves on the Boards of Directors of NAWBO-Denver
and Easter Seals of Colorado. In 2004, Kathryn and Pam Pressel incorporated
Capabilities and opened their first storefront in 2005. Their on-line
store launched in the spring of 2006. Expansion plans include more
Colorado stores.
Janet Arrowood
Janet
Arrowood is a freelance writer and trainer, based in Littleton,
Colorado. She spent over 13 years as a financial advisor, managing
director, and brokerage trainer and has been a full-time business,
financial and technical writer, trainer and course developer since
1999. She writes for Registered Rep. Magazine, Advisor Today, www.SmallBusinessReview.com,
Financial Playbook, the Financial Planning Association, and other
financial, insurance, business, and technical publications. Her
writing and training programs include business, grammar, technical,
and grant writing. Janet is the author of several books including
The Professional Advisor’s Insurance Desk Reference
(2000), Living With Wildfires (2003), and Mathematics
for ESL Learners (2004), and Financial Success for Young
Adults and Recent Graduates (2006).
Joy Barber
Joy
Barber has twenty-five years experience in product development and
launch for Fortune 500 companies including the Tandy, Cendant, and
Eckerd Corporations. She began her work with Dex in 1994 and has
spent six years on the Digital Team holding the positions of Product
Manager, Senior Manager – Internet Products, Senior Manager
- Banner Advertising, Senior Manager - Internet Communications and
Training, Senior Manager - Channel Engagement. Joy is currently
the Director of Internet Strategy.
Lisa
Buckley
Lisa R. Buckley serves as President of American Automation Building
Solutions, Inc., one of many former Fortune 500 Executives that
have successfully transitioned to the entrepreneurial world. With
an MBA from Michigan State University, Ms. Buckley served successfully
as Regional Manager for Ford Motor Company; Vice President of Laundry
and Dishwasher Divisions of Maytag Corporation; and Chief Marketing
Officer of Western Union. She assumed the Presidents role at American
Automation in November 2002, and is a member of many professional
and community organizations.
Christi Castellano
Christi
Castellano started her career with Dex in 1990 and has held a variety
of marketing positions in departments including National Publishing,
Product Management, Sales Staff and Field Marketing. She has been
the market manager in three different markets- Phoenix, Greater
Colorado and Denver Metro. Christi became the Sales Staff director
in 2003 and transitioned to Field Marketing Director in 2005.
John A. Cisneros
John
A. Cisneros is the Small Business Development coordinator for the
State of Colorado Purchasing Office. Mr. Cisneros travels the State
speaking to business owners, members of the various Chamber of Commerce,
especially the Women and Minority Chambers, and other business organizations
interested in learning how to do business with the State of Colorado.
A former business owner, Mr. Cisneros knows that the hardest job
anyone can have is as an entrepreneur; he also knows that being
an entrepreneur is the most satisfying job anyone will ever have.
Cheryl A. Drake
Cheryl
A. Drake is the Small Business Program Manager for the Department
of Energy's Western Area Power Administration. With twenty-three
years experience in federal government contracting, Cheryl has worked
for several different agencies, and served an overseas tour in Germany.
She has been supportive of small business programs in operational
contracting and policy positions for DOD, DOE, and DOI. She has
owned and operated her own small business as well.
Janet Evans
Janet
L. Evans, CPA, has been teaching with Regis University for over
10 years in the areas of accounting, ethics and communication. Recently,
she held an appointment as Sullivan Professor for the Regis University
Sullivan Endowed Chair for Free Enterprise. Janet retired as Manager
of Budget Operations, after 20 years at the National Center for
Atmospheric Research in Boulder. Presently, Janet is writing her
dissertation in pursuit of her doctorate degree in communication
at the University of Colorado, Boulder, plus she has a second Masters
degree in Accounting from CU and is a Colorado CPA.
Stephanie Gerringer
Stephanie
Gerringer is Executive Director of Preferred Lending Partners, a
Denver-based lending organization committed to local economic development.
Prior to joining Preferred Lending, Ms. Gerringer served as Senior
Business Development Officer for Vectra Bank Colorado/Zions Bank,
where she was responsible for both the 7(a) and 504 SBA loan programs.
Ms. Gerringer has extensive experience in asset based lending and
financial management. She serves on the boards of NADCO, the Denver
Small Business Development Center and the Inner City Growth Center.
She also participates on task forces for The Colorado Association
for Micro Enterprise Initiatives and the Rocky Mountain Lender's
Conference.
Marcia Hughes
Marcia
Hughes is President and CEO of Collaborative Growth and devotes
her life to guiding clients and colleagues to bringing their life’s
purpose to the forefront. She serves as a strategic communications
partner for leaders and teams in organizations that value high performers.
Marcia weaves her expertise in emotional intelligence throughout
her consulting work, facilitation, team building, and workshops
to help people motivate themselves and communicate more effectively
with others. Her presentations are built around powerful stories
of how success grows when people work collaboratively and when individuals
“sing their song.” Clients include American Express,
Medtronic, Jefferson County, and Kaiser.
Karen
Klam
Karen Klam serves as Procurement Center Representative for Government
Contracting, Area V. In this capacity, she evaluates the compliance
of large prime contractors’ subcontracting programs and plans,
serves as an advocate to small businesses, and counsels small businesses
in all aspects of government contracting. Ms. Klam also conducts
Size Determinations and serves as the alternative Procurement Center
Representative.
Pam Watson Korbel
Pam
Watson Korbel is an expert on how to grow a company to the next
level. As the CEO of a California software firm, Pam was a finalist
for the Inc Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year Award after
building the company’s sales by 300% over five years. She
has also worked in strategic and sales positions in Fortune
200 and Inc. 500 companies. She and her business have
been recognized with awards from the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce,
the U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Association
of Women Business Owners.
Carol Naff
Carol
J. Naff, owner and founder (2000) of Mariner Company, has earned
a solid reputation among fellow entrepreneurs and small business
owners. She helps her clients experience exponential growth in business
income while enjoying more free time to create balance in their
lives. Carol's success comes from her experience in marketing, management,
and marketing/business coaching expertise. She currently publishes
a monthly e-newsletter and has been published in Emerging Markets
Magazine, StrictlyBusiness newspaper, and on the Business Page Web
Site for 9News. Carol was honored with an Emmy - The National Television
Academy/ Heartland Chapter Board of Governors' Award (2002) and
Business Woman of the Year – DTC BPW (2005-2006).
Lynnette
E. Newman
Lynnette E. Newman is a Lender Relations Specialist/Commercial Loan
Officer for the Colorado District Office of the Small Business Administration.
An SBA employee since 1987, Ms. Newman’s responsibilities
include assisting small businesses during their formation and growth
to enable them to become an integral part of the State’s economy.
Ms. Newman works in the loan processing, loan liquidation, and business
development areas of the SBA, with a primary focus on processing
and liquidating SBA loans. She also educates lenders and the general
public on SBA loan programs.
Marcy Phelps
Marcy Phelps is the founder and president of Denver-based Phelps
Research. She offers professional research services that help her
clients assess market and product potential, minimize risk, and
improve long-term planning. Marcy has presented seminars on the
basics of business and market research to such entities as the Denver
Metro Chamber of Commerce, the American Marketing Association, and
the Business Marketing Association. In addition, she is a contributor
to “Introduction to Online Market & Industry Research”,
part of a six-volume series of business research guides. A true
introvert, Marcy has built her business through power networking.
Jeanna Pool
Jeanna
Pool is the President of CATALYST creative, inc., an award-winning
graphic design, web design and marketing firm. Jeanna works exclusively
with small business owners who are experts in their field, but not
experts at attracting enough clients consistently. Jeanna is the
author of When Your Small Business is YOU™ marketing
handbook, which has earned enthusiastic praise from leading business
and marketing experts. Jeanna markets her own small business, CATALYST
creative, inc., the same way she teaches and markets her clients’
small businesses. To date, Jeanna has won over 20 top industry awards
for her graphic design, website design and marketing work.
Pam Pressel
Pam
Pressel had a 30-year career as an entrepreneur and a health care
executive. Most recently, Pam held the role of General Manager of
Pathways Homecare Center in Aurora, where she pioneered the concept
of a retail store for people with disabilities. Pam holds a B.S.
in Business. She currently serves as Past President of CAMES, Colorado
Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers, and is on the Board
of the Alliance for Holistic Aging. In 2004, Pam and Kathryn Arbour
incorporated Capabilities and opened their first storefront in 2005.
Their on-line store launched in the spring of 2006. Expansion plans
include more Colorado stores.
Ceyl Prinster
Ceyl
Prinster is Executive Director of the Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF),
a non-profit community development financial institution founded
in 1976 and specializing in microenterprise and small business lending.
Prior to joining CEF, Ms. Prinster was a commercial lending and
training officer at United Bank of Denver, now Wells Fargo. In 1999,
she was named the SBA Financial Services Advocate of the Year for
both Region VIII and the State of Colorado. She is the Co-Chair
of the Colorado Microenterprise Development Commission, and a founding
Director and past President of the Colorado Association of Microenterprise
Initiatives (CAMI).
Marla Riegel
Marla Riegel, President of Inspired Potential Coaching, draws upon
her extensive business background and 30 years of experience in
seven different industries to help businesses grow to the next level.
She has been training and coaching business people internationally
for over 20 years. Marla’s client list ranges from Fortune
500 companies to Small Business and covers a wide range of industries.
She is a CEO Group Facilitator for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Her credentials include a Masters of Divinity, a Bachelor's in Communications
and a designation as a Financial Management Advisor. Marla is also
an Ordained Omni-Faith Corporate Chaplain.
Meryl Runion
Meryl
Runion, CSP, is a Certified Speaking Professional and the author
of four books that have been translated into five languages and
sold over 200,000 copies worldwide. Her expertise is in PowerPhrases,
and finding the perfect words to say what you mean and get what
you want. Her clients include IBM, who find her to be systematic,
the IRS who particularly loves her in mid-April and the FBI, who
finds her to be a person of great interest.
John J. Salanitro
John
J. Salanitro is a Team Leader with the Denver Division of the United
States Postal Inspection Service. He is responsible for supervising
a team of inspectors who investigate contract and private sector
employee mail theft. The team is also responsible for providing
for the security of the postal service employees, facilities and
assets within the Denver Metro Area. Mr. Salanitro began his career
with the US Postal Service in 1988, and has served in several field
offices around the country.
Lisa Shevy
Lisa
Shevy is President and CEO of the Women’s Business Enterprise
Council-West (WBEC-West), an affiliate organization of WBENC, the
nation’s largest third-party certifier of Woman Owned Businesses.
WBENC certification is recognized and accepted by more than 700
corporations and government entities across the United States and
is the premier certification for Women Business Enterprises. Through
focused outreach efforts, Lisa has successfully commenced partnerships
with numerous professional organizations to raise the visibility
of women business enterprises and the importance of the inclusion
of diversity within supply chains.
Stacy Swift
M.
Stacy Swift has over 19 years of small business ownership, management,
sales and marketing experience. She has owned several franchise
businesses, including hair salons and a handyman service. Prior
to her career in the franchise industry, Stacy owned a deli/corporate
catering business located in downtown Denver. Since 1996, Stacy
has owned and operated The Franchise Centre, which provides education
and assistance to clients interested in purchasing a franchise and
represents nearly 100 franchise companies in all industries. Stacy
conducts franchise seminars throughout the region in conjunction
with outplacement agencies, the SBA, Small Business Development
Centers, and regional libraries.
Adrienne Zobel
Adrienne
Zoble began her Fort Collins business, Adrienne Zoble Associates,
Inc., in 1977 in New Jersey, with the idea of offering efficient
marketing services and know-how to small and growing businesses.
As an international marketing speaker and consultant, Adrienne has
helped tens of thousands of business owners and executives understand
the significance of close-to-the-vest, common-sense marketing and
how easy it is to achieve. She “tells it like it is”
and speaks from experience as a business owner and avid networker.
Adrienne is the author of “The Do-able Marketing Plan”
workbook, her “Marketing Myths” emails and several marketing
e-books on her website.
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