Springboard| E.I.R Program

CONNECT is fortunate to draw upon a pool of highly-qualified individuals who volunteer their time to serve as Springboard Entrepreneurs in Residence. Entrepreneurs in Residence are invited to serve based upon their experience in raising venture capital and growing successful companies.

Currently CONNECT has close to 100 EIRs volunteering their time and expertise towards the Springboard program.

Springboard Entrepreneurs in Residence

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Our current Entrepreneurs- in-Residence are:

Cleve Adams
Background: Co-founder Websense -4 time CEO
Expertise: Software, SaaS, Security, Internet/Online

Michael Adam
Background: SVP Drug Development - Anadys Pharmaceutical
Expertise: Pharma-, Drug Development

Owens F. Alexander
Background: Former President and CEO, Titan Wireless
Expertise: Telecommunications, Wireless, and Utilities

Malcolm Avner
Background: Founder and President of a Staffing/Personnel Company; Management Consultant and Coach to Entrepreneurs, VP of Development for a Restaurant Chain, Professional Sports
Expertise: Business Planning, Strategic Planning, Organizational Development; Construction and Real Estate, Food Service, Playing and Teaching Sports

Amy Barnhart
Background: Director of Product Development, Intuit (TurboTax, ShopIntuit, QuickenLoans)
Expertise: Consumer software, internet products, Customer Driven Innovation

David Beach Background: Senior Executive/Direct Marketing
Expertise: Direct marketing, consumer finance, distance education, casino gaming

Thomas M. Bergmann
Background: Former Vice President, Gartner, Inc.
Expertise: Software, defense, government services

Curt Becker
Background: Director Level Customer Support, International Marketing, Product Management, Business Development, Sales Management, Bench Chemist.
Expertise: Biotechnology

Jai Bhagat
Background: CoB Axestel, CEO SkyTel
Expertise: Wireless, Telecom, Internet, Service Provider

Cheryl J. Bostater, ASA, CFA, MBA
Background: CFO of Solar Company, Business Valuation Expert
Expertise: CleanTech, HiTech, Financial & Operations Modeling, M&A

Daniel P. Brogan
Background: COO Smith Consulting Architects, CEO, Earl Walls Associates, CFO KA Architects
Expertise: C-Level Exec, licensed Architect, construction, clean/green, insurance, some heavy manufacturing

Michael Brower
Background: Sporting goods and consumer products. EVP / GM Odyssey Golf, CFO Orange 21 / Spy Optic Expertise: Public and private capital raising, strategic planning, business plan development.

D. Scott Buchanan Ph.D.
Background: CEO, CFO 4-D Neuroimaging - a public medical device manufacturer
Expertise: Medical Device design, development and marketing, hardware/software development

Danen Butler
Background: CEO Applied Control Concepts
Expertise: High-tech computing platforms; repeat CEO

Mario A. Bourdon, Ph.D.
Background: CEO and President, BioLaurus Inc.
Expertise: C-level executive, strategic planning, life-science discovery research, oncology, preclinical drug development

Mike Bourne
Background: Executive Consultant with Tatum LLC, COO & CFO Rexhall Industries; CFO Grumman Olson
Expertise: manufacturing, services, retail and aerospace & defense

Michael Brower
Background:Sporting goods and consumer products. EVP / GM Odyssey Golf, CFO Orange 21 / Spy Optic
Expertise: Public and private capital raising, strategic planning, business plan development.

Dan Caulfield
Background: Chairman & CEO, Hire a Hero
Expertise: Military, technology, public-private military transition program, ability to develop innovative digital marketing and branding strategies

Michael Christian
Background: Former director, general counsel, and secretary of Visual Sciences (former WebSideStory)
Expertise: Enterprise-class SaaS business models, licensing, corporate finance, and new media consumer businesses

Robert Ciardella
Background: Former Founder and President, Asymtek
Expertise: Engineering and automation

Dennis Clerke
Background: Former CEO Alignent Software and Founder, CEO of Cardiff Software
Expertise: Software, SaaS applications and Hi-Tech

Jim Comeaux
Background: Co-Founder and CTO Redwire
Expertise: Wireless, Voip, ISP

Ron Courtois
Background: Former CEO, VP GM, Founder of 3 start ups, Currently interim CEO of a Start-up
Expertise: Semiconductors, Wireless, CleanTech, Medical Instrumentation, Audio

Elyse Dasko
Background: Marketing / Public Relations
Expertise: corporate/product launch, speaker training, media relations, issues/crisis management

Jack DeFranco
Background: Jack DeFranco] Life sciences – diagnostics, surgical, orthopedic, and therapeutic products. Work history, Johnson & Johnson, Smith & Nephew, Orthoconcept (start-up), and Alliance Pharmaceutical. Current President & COO, Alliance, President & CEO Microparticle Proteomics LLC, and COO Targeson Inc.

Expertise: Marketing, business development, business operations
Martha Dennis, Ph.D
Background: Former Venture Partner, Windward Ventures
Expertise: Telecommunication, wireless, software

Bill Diller
Background: CEO Netresults
Expertise: C-level High-tech and consumer products and services

Jack Dollard
Background: Former EVP&COO AMS, SVP Global Operations Gateway Computers, President QPE Qualcomm/SVP Global Operations
Expertise: Electronics, Hi-Tech, Wireless, Computer Products - global P&L operations inclusive to manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, logistics, distribution, quality, six sigma, business development, and sales

Jeff Draa
Background: Scientific and Technology Capital Equipment
Expertise: General Management, Marketing, Sales, Small Business Valuation

Hunt Eggleston
Background: Former VP and Officer, AT&T
Expertise: Bandwith delivery, compression, search engines, wireless, cellular, software

Ronald C. Eld
Background: 25 years of global pharmaceutical & biotech experience. Former Executive Director Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Worldwide Director Marketing & Businsess Planning For Farmitalia Carlo Erba, Director of Finance Pfizer Puerto Rico & Caribbean
Expertise: Corporate/Business Development Strategic & Business Planning, M&A's Product & Portfolio Assessment and Risk Adjusted Valuation Pharmaceutical market assessment segmentation, forecasting and valuation Strategic opportunity assessment decision support.

Dan Engel
Background: Miracle League of San Diego, Applied Underwriters, Inc., Gateway Partners, Onyx Partners, Salomon Brothers Expertise Capital Markets, Corporate Finance, M&A, Due Diligence, Non-Profits
Jim Esserman
Background: Former VP Business Development, Polycipher
Expertise: : Telecommunications

Simon Faithfull MD, PhD
Background: Ex VP Medical Affairs Alliance Pharmaceutical; Anesthesiologist; Academic Research
Expertise: Drug and Device Development; Clinical and Preclinical Investigation; Physiological Modeling

Vince Ferraro
Background: Former VP of Worldwide Marketing for Hewlett-Packard Company
Expertise: IT peripherals, hardware, software, solutions, product development/launch, consumer/commercial products, networking, high tech marketing, operations, strategic planning, international, and web-based businesses

Tom Fisher
Background: CIO DriveCam, CIO Qualcomm (QCT), CTO-Ebay
Expertise: Technology, ecommerce, SaaS, wireless

Stephen F. Flaim, Ph.D FACC, FAHA
Background: Founder & CEO, CardioCreate, Inc.; Chairman, President & CEO, OncoFluor, Inc.
Expertise: Drug discovery, preclinical and clinical product development, strategic planning, project management, operational planning and execution

Dan Flanagan
Background: President, founder Soapbox Mobile
Expertise: High-tech Marketing, advertising, creative development, product management

Walter Flicker
Background: Former VP Resmed Inc
Expertise: Medical devices business development and finance.

Jean-Jacques Foucherot
Background: President and CEO, Canopus Bioscience
Expertise: Turnarounds and Start-ups, High-Tech, Food Sector, Consumer Products, Life Science, International Development

Marc Friedmann
Background: CEO
Expertise: Web and enterprise software, semiconductors

Randall Gibson
Background: Sr. VP - Supply Chain consulting firm; Founder - two software tech firms in automation and engineering consulting fields.
Expertise: Supply chain operations & analysis; automation systems; mfg and distribution planning and operations; application of Operations Research techniques to business and industrial problems.

David Giegel
Background: Warner-Lambert, MitoKor, Celgene
Expertise: Biotech/Large Pharma small molecule drug discovery

Phil Harding
Background: Chairman and CEO of MFLEX, The worlds largest manufacturer of Flexable printed circuits and component assembly
Expertise: Engineering, management, strategy

J. Mark Hattendorf
Background: : COO/CFO Gc-Free, Inc. Former CFO for 3 public companies (software, digital entertainment & nutrition) and 5 strategic/private equity backed (software, ecommerce technology & entertainment) enterprises.
Expertise: Strategic planning, financial operations, major corporate transitional events, corporate director-audit committee chair/medical device company.

Ron Hawkins
Background: Current director of industry relations at UCSD, Former VP at SONY, former division COO at Titan/Visicom
Expertise: Product development & engineering in consumer, defense, and industrial electronics; high performance computing.

Wayne Huang
Background: Former founder/VP of eAnywhere Tech, and Motorola wireless executive
Expertise: Semiconductor, Wireless, and Wireless Healthcare

Devin C. Hughes
Background: Regional Sales Director, West Coast, Genzyme Biosurgery
Expertise: Sales & Marketing; medical devices

Chris Humphrey
Background: VP GM Sperian Protection, CEO Nacre AS, SVP Marketing Lantronix
Expertise: LAN, SAN, semiconductor, enterprise software, wireless, global b2b channels, turnarounds

Ed Iwanowicz
Background: Former Head & VP Chemistry, Chiron Corp.
Expertise: Drug Discovery & Related Technologies

Andy Jedynak
Background: President & CMO Kidzui
Expertise: Digital Media, Internet, mobile, video

Matthew Jenusaitis
Background: Partner, ConceptTx Medical; former President ev3 Inc.; EIR Warburg Pinkus
Expertise: Healthcare, Medical Devices, Venture Capital

Manas Kanungo
Background: Founder, Consultant, Int'l Medical Marketing USA LLC
Expertise: Develop & Deliver Sustainable Global / International Product & Market Entry Growth Strategies with special focus on Emerging Countries and New Technology Platforms.

David Kaplan
Background: Currently Principle Partner, Xlerate Solutions; EVP & Co-Founder, DecisionView Software
Expertise: Strategic planning, operations, business development, and marketing in life science software, ecommerce, enterprise software

Brian Kelleher
Background: Pres/CEO California MedTech, CEO EndoMorphix
Expertise: Medical Device development and manufacturing

Stanley Kim
Background: COO and GC Softmax
Expertise: Bio-tech and hi-tech, IP counsel

David Kramer
Background: David W. Kramer Management Consulting, Former CFO Somanta Pharmaceuticals, Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Gen-Probe Incorporated.
Expertise: Finance in high tech, medical devices, biopharma

Hank Kraus
Background: CEO of BioSafety Systems, Tomotherapeutics, Romer, Simply Automated and Compucraft Industries
Expertise: Industries include medical device, industrial metrology, consumer electronics and aerospace manufacturing

Lawrence Kirsch
Background: Senior Marketing Consultant, Former VP Marketing - Kirlin Corporation, Former Co-Founder - The MovieMakers Connection
Expertise: Strategic Marketing - B to B, Internet, Consumer Products

Michael N. Krupp, Ph.D
Background: Former Sr. Vice President of Business Development and Chief Business Officer, Chugai Pharma USA
Expertise: Biotech and pharmaceutical companies, licensing

Jay Kunin
Background: President/Founder RxSys Int'l
Expertise: Healthcare & Life Science IT, TCA VP Life Sciences

Mario C. Larach
Background: Chairman, Kai BioEnergy Corp.
Expertise: Clean-tech, hi-tech, signal processing, semi-conductors, consumer electronics

Michael R. Lee
Background: Managing Partner, C5 Networks, founder and former CEO, IP3 Networks
Expertise: Telecommunications, wired and wireless networks

Brian Leeper
Background: VP of Operations, Whalen Manufacturing
Expertise: Operations, supply-chain, medical devices, consumer goods; global supply chain management, system implementation, strategic sales, P&L management, forecasting, product development/launch, and integration of acquisitions

Ken Liu
Background: CEO—InfoGation, MindTouch. VP BD—IPivot, HNC Software, SciVee
Expertise: Software, Web 2.0, Communications, Asia-Pacific/China

William Lofft
Background: CEO, CFO Modern Postcards, Adcom
Expertise: Consumer Marketing/Advertising

Rob Logan
Background: Former CEO at ContentGuard, VP at Thomson S.A., and Engineer at IBM
Expertise: New Media, Mobile, and Consumer Electronics products and services

Milton L Lohr
Background: Public Corporate Director, Former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition,former Exec Vive President of Flight Systems,Panel and Board Member of various Government Advisory Boards, former Acquisition representative to CNAD,with oversight of International Joint Programs.
Expertise: Hi Tech,repeat CEO,, Weapon Systems,Sensors, UAV, Military and Commercial Electronics, International Business, Flight Test,

Mark Lovett
Background: Former President and CEO, Chassis Plans - CIO Industrial Computer Source
Expertise: Operations Management, Informations Systems, Business Strategy

Jean Luc Lembert
Background: CEO DelfMems, VectraWave
Expertise: Hi-tech, repeat CEO, semi-conductors, wireless, telecom

Bruce F. Mackler, Ph.D, J.D.
Background: TCA, Consultant
Expertise: FDA legal/regulatory experience in biomedical products, including biologics, drugs, nutraceuticals, medical and in vitro diagnostic devices, food and cosmetics

Rick Maiero
Background: COO/President Keylime Software, CEO Boojum Mobile
Expertise: SAAS Business Models/Technology, Social Media, Operations, Product Management

Linda Manaster
Background: Founder CEO Larkin Foods, Compucook
Expertise: CEO Consumer Products, product concept to launch

John Meiling
Background: VP Marketing, IV Infusion at CareFusion; GM Cardiology at General Electric
Expertise: Marketing, Medical Devices, Healthcare IT, Cardiology, IV Infusion

Mike Miller
Background: Former CEO IntegriCo Companies
Expertise: Composite materials, food, automotive, aerospace

Risto M. Mitrovich
Background: CPA, CFF, former partner (Singer Lewak) and VP Business/Corporate Development (Infonet)
Expertise: Corporate finance, planning, M&A (buy and sell), operations and governance, telecomm

Phil Morettini
Background: Currently a Tech Management Consultant, Former CEO and VP-Marketing & Sales
Expertise: P&L Management, Product Management/Marketing and Business Development in Software, Wireless, Imaging, Networking

Michael Morrison
Background: Former founder and President Naprotek, Inc
Expertise: Electronic contract mfg. & design services, semiconductors, capital equipment and instrumentation markets.

Rob Murray
Background: CEO, Hidden Water Pools
Expertise: Wireless, Consumer Goods, Alternative Energy

Todd Myers
Background: Former CFO, SGX Pharmaceuticals; Former CFO, FeRx Incorporated;
Expertise: Life sciences; public/private financings; M&A; financial modeling

Robert Nascenzi
Background: Former CEO Claritas, CEO National Decision Systems, COO TARGUSinfo, founder ElementOne
Expertise: Information services, software, online services, consumer targeting, acquisitions and divestitures

Ed Odjaghian
Background: COO, Consumer Health Technologies
Expertise: Healthcare, Telecommunication, Software Development, Operations, SaaS, Internet, IT, ERP, Productivity

Steven F. Osinski
Background: Former President/CEO, SMART Group, Former Vice President of Marketing TMP Worldwide (renamed Monster Worldwide in 2002)
Expertise: Advertising/Marketing, wireless industry

David Overskei
Background: Former CEO, Polexis, Inc.; SVP General Atomics and SAIC
Expertise: Defense and energy technologies, medical systems, optical communications, advanced software

Mark Palmer
Background: Prior CEO Alvarado Hospital Medical Center/ Prior President and CEO for West Penn and Forbes Hospitals
Expertise: Healthcare, hospital operations management

David C. Pearson
Background: Former Life Science CEO, COO, GM at Nidus, Noxxon, BioBlocks and Novartis
Expertise: General Management, Sales and Marketing, International, e-Business, Outsourcing

Adrian Pelkus
Background: CEO A Squared Technologies & IYIA Technologies, COO Hypnoz Devices
Expertise: Electronic contract mfg. & design services. Coaching inventors in New Product development. Startup formation in high-tech, bio-tech, renewable energy technologies.

Gary Pritchett
Background: Former V.P. of Technical Operations at St. Bernard Software
Expertise: Software Development

John Ransom
Background: Consulting CSO, Former VP R & D for Cytori Therapeutics, former VP Biology for Novasite Pharmaceuticals
Expertise: Biotechnology, Life sciences, Pharma

Ruben Recio
Background: Corporate Business Development / Sales and CFO
Expertise: B2B Corporate Relationship sales to decision makers and Finance

Paul Roben
Background: Director of Biotechnology for the Enterprise Ireland, CSO, founder Target Protein Technologies, Inc.
Expertise: Life science, bio-tech, food sciences, venture capital

Dan Ruchman
Background: Former CFO, Phyton Biotech and Inslaw Inc.; former Director of Corporate Planning, Bausch & Lomb
Expertise: Finance, planning, bus. dev., operations & governance in life sciences and high tech

Michael A. (Mike) Russell
Background: Managing Partner: Russell Financial Services; 25 years as CFO of emerging technology companies
Expertise: Semiconductor, Software, Telecommunications and Clean Technology industries. Overall, financial and strategic planning, fund raising and implementation of financial systems.

Mary Ann Russo
Background: CEO Fitforall
Expertise: Internet: B2B, Hi-tech: hardware, software, global operations: service/support, quality, logistics

Killu Sanborn
Background: Former Managing Director, Hercules Capital; Principal/Fund Manager, IngleWood Ventures
Expertise: Life science VC (equity/debt), startup formation, commercialization

Dario Santana
Background: CEO of NTN Buzztime
Expertise: Media, Inter-active TV, entertainment, private equity, telecom, fire and security equipment and services

Alan M. Schechter
Background: CEO Pyro Pharmaceuticals, AlphaGene, Applied Carotenoid Sciences, Noetix, Veterinary Reference Laboratory
Expertise: Successful, serial CEO for medical device and biotech early stage and turn-around companies

Stefan Scheinert
Background: President Scheinert Telecom; Former CTO LGC Wireless High-tech; Former CEO Ibis Telecom; Former CEO Littlefeet
Expertise: High-tech, telecom, wireless and fixed wireless

Daniel Schumann
Background: Co-founder board member MediPhysics, Inc
Expertise: Medical Devices, automotive, business strategy, operations, marketing, product development

Karl Schwenkmeyer
Background: VP Marketing HP Inkjet Systems
Expertise: Branding, product positioning, customer segmentation, product development and launch, competitive strategy, market planning, retail distribution.

Jim Scott
Background: CEO Iliad, Inc.
Expertise: e-commerce, on-line content, IT, Software

Steve Scott
Background: CEO Technology Acquisition Group, former CEO, RacePS, World Transport Authority, & Div Head, Oncor.
Expertise: Strategic development & planning, CEO development, capital structure, turnaround, and corporate governance. Life science, diagnostics, device, software, electronics, clean tech, aquatics, and internet.

Joe Sheehan
Background: Former President and COO, TruePosition
Expertise: High-tech s/w, telecom, wireless, LBS, MRM/automatic vehicle location, aerospace

Dana Shertz
Background:: Former COO MacGregor Golf, Former VP Sales and Marketing Callaway Golf, Former COO/CMO EnDev Enterprises.
Expertise: Sports Industry, Hospitality, C-Level Executive with officer roles in privately held start -ups to billion dollar publicly held companies.

Brad Shoen
Background: Serial Founder, CEO, YPO Chair
Expertise: Hi-tech, e-commerce, gaming, RFID, Bio-tech\

Michael Sick
Background: Indepedent Marketing Consultant since 2003. Formerly Marketing VP for Jack In The Box, Pearle Vision, Arby's, El Chico
Expertise: Marketing and management in Retail, Consumer Products, eCommerce, software, advertising and franchising.

Jim Smith
Background: :(Present) Treasurer – Sharp HealthCare and Senior Partner – TriMentor Group LLC; CFO – Ford Motor Credit; Ford Global Electronics, Ford South American Operations, and Entivity, Inc.; and Strategic Planning VP – Visteon, Inc.
Expertise: Corporate Finance (Automotive, Start-up, Financial Services, & Healthcare), Strategic Planning and Executive Coaching

Larry Stambaugh
Background: Founder & CEO, Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Former Chm & CEO ABC Laboratories, Recognized corporate governance leader and current Principal of Apercu Consulting
Expertise: Life Sciences, Clean Tech, Banking, Manufacturing, Acclaimed Board and Corporate Governance Leader

Bob Stein
Background: Ran companies/ops 25 years Black & Decker and Brunswick Corps. Pres,COO,CMO, CQO, VP Supply Chain, VP Strategy & Bus Dev, VP; Int'l Retail. BS Engr, Kellogg MBA (Marketing/Gen Mgmt)
Expertise: New product and new business start up processes, acquisitions, mergers, alliances. Executive coach/mentor. General Mgmt.

Dave Thompson
Background: President & CEO National Pen
Expertise: Direct Marketing / Turnarounds

Steve E. Tice
Background: CEO, QuantumWorks Corporation, COO, SSI-Racing.com, Former V.P., Special Projects, Viewpoint Corporation, Former CTO, COO, Virtual Celebrity Productions, Former PM, Procter & Gamble, SpotMaster Ad Creation optimization research project, Former Exec Producer, V.P., Hasbro Toys, TOASTER/RUSH Virtual Reality Gaming system division
Expertise: "Agile", iterative, low risk project management & C-level/senior exec high tech P&L management for: s/w & technology product development, rich media web content & marketing production, 3D graphics, visualization & virtual reality games research/technologies, electric vehicle technology

Jarvis Tou
Background: VP/GM CalAmp, VP Staccato, VP Silicon Wave, Intel
Expertise: M2M systems, semiconductors, wireless, marketing

Dan Trudo
Background: General Partner, TrueVest LLC
Expertise: Semiconductor, internet, IT/computing, manufacturing sales, marketing

Marty Turock
Background: GM/VP - business unit mgmt.
Expertise: Internet, Transportations, Wireless Sensors, Plastics

Rick Valencia
Background: Founder & Chairman, ProfitLine, Founder, eimburse.com
Expertise: Telecom, B2B, wireless, Internet

Rob Vickery
Background: Former President of Sales & Marketing, Pacific DataVision; Co-founder Change.com
Expertise: Marketing, business development, wireless, high-tech, e-commerce

Armando Viteri
Background: CEO - Neubloc, President and CEO of RF Code, Inc.
Expertise: Hi-tech, enterprise computing, software, networks

Thomas Waechter
Background: Repeat CEO, COO, VP
Expertise: Hi-tech chips, wireless communications

Brad Wallace
Background: Repeat COO, Typhoon Security Technology
Expertise: Hi-tech, explosive detection, MP3 players/CE

Christopher Williams
Background: COO, Verance Corporation
Expertise: Information technology and product engineering

Kai Wenk-Wolff
Background: CEO, COO
Expertise: Cleantech, Photovoltaics

Jerry Yen
Background: VP Sales & Marketing, multiple firms
Expertise: e-commerce, retail, B2B, strategic marketing

Mary Zoeller
Background: CEO, construction Billboard, Board of Directors, Orca Fund, Apply2You
Expertise: IT, Software

Program Contact:

Ruprecht von Buttlar Springboard Director Email: rvonbuttlar@connect.org Phone: (858) 964-1309 Fax: (858) 964-1301 Steve Hoey Program Manager Email: shoey@connect.org Phone: (858) 964-1308 Fax: (858) 964-1301

San Diego Office Address 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive Suite A124 La Jolla, CA 92037 Mailing Address 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive Suite A124 La Jolla, CA 92037

Washington DC Office Address 1608 Rhode Island Ave Suite 245 Washington DC, 20036