Henry Yaffe, Ph.D, Chairman, and CEO, Newridge Technologies. Dr. Henry Yaffe, the President of NRT, oversees the day-to-day operation of the company. He has over 20 years of experience in advanced technologies and business. Before NRT, Yaffe was the founder of YAFO Networks, where he led the development of PMD compensation and technologies as chairman, CEO and CTO. Prior to YAFO, he had various responsibilities for network systems and optical technologies at CIENA. Yaffe has also held technical positions with Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ and Norcross, GA. Dr. Yaffe has a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Applied Physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and a B.A. from Swarthmore College.
Gary Chackman, CEO, The Chackman Group, Financial Management
Asher Epstein, Managing Director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Prior to that Mr. Epstein worked as a consultant for American Management Systems where his clients included AT&T, the Bank of Montreal, Bezeq Ltd. and Chevy Chase Bank. He has also held a variety of management and operational positions working with startup companies. His areas of expertise include business plan writing, new venture creation, early stage financing, IT Services, e-commerce (online banking/bill payment), control networking and embedded systems. Mr. Epstein has an undergraduate degree in English and History as well as a Certificate of Management Studies from the University of Rochester. Mr. Epstein received an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of business.
Lawrence Feldman, Principal of Strategic Partners, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in turnarounds of financially distressed companies where he deals with general management, organizational, and sales & marketing issues. Mr. Feldman has an excellent network of banking and non-bank financing companies and can be of assistance in finding more traditional sources of operating funds for newly emerging companies. His clients are in a wide variety of industries, including technology consulting, manufacturing, engineering, and contracting (building industry related), among others. Prior to starting Strategic Partners, he was CEO of a wholesale distributor of floor coverings in the mid-Atlantic area for 12 years, and spent 7 years with Maryland/Sweetheart Cup, in various capacities including Group Marketing Director of its institutional plastics products and its dairy food packaging division. Mr. Feldman received his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, he is a C.P.A., and he received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Steve Gevarter, Partner, Miles and Stockbridge. Steve Gevarter practices in the tax and general business areas of law. In the tax field, his practice spans a wide range of federal and state tax planning and compliance matters, principally for individuals, tax-exempt organizations and business entities, such as corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. In matters involving tax controversies, Mr. Gevarter has represented clients at the audit/examination stage, the appeals level and State and Federal Tax Court proceedings on issues involving federal and state income taxes, federal estate and gift taxes and state sales and use taxes. His practice also includes representing taxpayers involved in state and federal tax. He received a B.A in 1973 from Franklin & Marshall College, he also graduated from the Villanova Law School, with a J.D. in 1976 and from New York University School of Law in 1982.
John Hamilton, Senior Vice President for Corridor RF&S Real Estate, LLC. Mr. Hamilton is responsible for generating leasing and sales activity by marketing the company and its services through special events, advertising, public relations, direct mail and an extensive cold calling program. He is also responsible for government relations at the local, state and federal levels. Mr. Hamilton’s special area of expertise lies with high technology companies involved in life sciences, health care, environmental science and information technology. He received his B.S. from Towson University, his M.A. from Western Maryland College and has done advanced graduate study at Johns Hopkins University and Morgan State University.
Alex Koff, Partner, Whiteford Taylor Preston, international business attorney. As the Chair of the Global Practice in Whiteford Taylor Preston, Mr. Koff provides innovative solutions and strategies to companies, governments, industry associations, and NGOs that enhance competitive strengths and protect against risks. Some of his noteworthy experience includes a $1 billion Section 337 intellectual property investigation, a $970 million NAFTA investor-state arbitration and a $300 million WTO proceeding. He has also served twice as an International Trade Expert for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Mr. Koff is an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law and is a Research Associate at the Creative and Innovative Economy Center of the George Washington University Law School. Mr. Koff attended the University of Michigan where he received both his J.D. and B.A., and he attended Cambridge University, UK and earned a M. of Phil. in International Relations.
Wylie H. Levone, Associate, Hogan & Hartson. Mr. Levone practices in the area of general business transactions, with particular emphasis on international project and corporate finance. Wylie assists clients with international transactions and business matters, and business, corporate, and project finance aspects of financing transactions. He recently was closely involved in completing two major strategic acquisitions in the United States by a publicly traded Spanish energy company. Wylie has also worked on several significant cross-border transactions for a large Brazilian energy company. This work includes negotiating, structuring, and drafting complex agreements; contract analysis; advising on dispute resolution; and advising on matters of international and U.S. business law. Prior to joining Hogan & Hartson, Wylie worked for several years managing projects for high tech companies, primarily with European and large multinational clients. Wylie is a Sergeant First Class in the Israel Defense Forces. He has an M.A. in International Relations, with an emphasis on Middle East politics and diplomacy and a J.D. from Yale University, 2005 M.A., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1999 B.A., and Yale University, 1992.
Vince Mallozzi, President of International Marketing Systems, Inc. (IMS) IMS is a 12 year-old Maryland expert consulting company providing a full range of technical program management and business development services for small to medium sized commercial organizations. IMS helps clients solve business problems, improve operational performance, and market their products and services. They are uniquely prepared to assist from the earliest stages of a project’s development through the implementation of a total program. Mr. Mallozzi is a Special Consultant for the United States Export Advisory Council, United States Department of Commerce and is also a Business Advisor for the Small Business Administration/SCORE, Baltimore Chapter. He received his BS in Electrical Engineering from the NY Institute of Technology and he took Business and Financial Courses at the Loyola College Master Program.
Joshua Mauer, Joined UBS Financial Services Inc. as a Financial Advisor in April, 2004 and is currently VP of investments. In association with Barry Salzman, Mr. Mauer formed the Salzman-Mauer Group, concentrating in money management and retirement planning for business owners and comprehensive financial planning strategies for individual investors. Prior to joining UBS he was a Financial Advisor at Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc., attaining the designation of Wealth Management Specialist. Mr. Mauer is a 1981 graduate of Clark University in Worcester, MA with a B.A. in Political Science. He has a 1993 certificate in Arts Management of the University of Rhode Island, as well as a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, 1992. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1992.
Lauri Rodich, Director of Business Development for Rose Financial Services (RFS), the mid-Atlantic’s premier accounting and financial outsourcing and staffing firm. Founded in 1994, Rose Financial Services manages the accounting operations for U.S. based subsidiaries of international companies of all sizes in a multitude of capacities. Services range from being the entire accounting department or just a function within it. She currently serves on the Program Committee of the British American Business Association (BABA) and on the International Committee of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC). Ms. Rodich has a MBA from Pepperdine University and received her undergraduate degree from California State University at Northridge.
Avigail Rosemore, VP and Wealth Advisor, Morgan Stanley. She is a registered Wealth Advisor with over 11 years of market experience where she offers comprehensive financial planning services that encompass the full spectrum of investor objectives, including sophisticated areas of concentration, such as executive stock options and estate planning. She focuses on wealth creation and preservation strategies such as asset allocation strategies, wealth planning, equity and fixed income strategies, stock option strategies and professional money management strategies. She received her MBA from the University Of Texas, graduating Summa Cum Laude and her BA from the University of Texas, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Asher Rubin, Partner, Hogan and Hartson, attorneys. Mr. Rubin has more than 10 years experience in the legal profession and practices in the areas of corporate, securities and finance, and food, drug, medical device and agriculture. Prior to joining Hogan & Hartson, he served as senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary for a major, publicly traded pharmaceutical company in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was responsible for all of the company’s legal matters including intellectual property. Prior to his time with the pharmaceutical company, Asher worked as an associate for two Baltimore-based law firms. Most recently, Asher’s experience includes U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting, several complex financings and M&A matters, and corporate governance matters. In addition, Asher has negotiated agreements with clinical research organizations (CROs) for conducting clinical trials and negotiated multiple strategic collaboration agreements with national and international pharmaceutical companies and universities, in addition to designing disclosure controls and procedures for ’34 Act reporting purposes. When Mr. Rubin earned his J.D. in 1995, he earned The William O. Cunnigham Award for Exceptional Service to the School of Law from the University of Maryland School of Law. He also earned his B.A. from Duke University in 1992.
Harry Shapiro, Attorney, Saul Ewing LLP. His practice focuses on taxation law, tax litigation, and tax-exempt financing law and has included matters for multinational companies, non-U.S. corporations having U.S. businesses, pass-through entities, professional associations, and wealthy individuals, as well as for numerous tax-exempt organizations such as schools, hospitals, and municipalities. In addition to his federal tax focus, Mr. Shapiro has represented numerous multi-state and Maryland corporations in Maryland income tax, sales and use tax, and property tax matters. He received his J.D. from the University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, 1964 and his B.S.L. from the University of Louisville, 1962.
Gerald Solomon, Vice President, International Trade Finance Group, M&T Bank. Mr. Solomon has been in international banking since 1974. He joined M&T Bank as a Vice President of the International Trade Finance Group in May 2002 taking responsibility for the pre-export working capital financing programs of the Export-Import Bank and SBA. His goal is to help U.S. exporters access short-term financing through these programs as well as through short-term export credit insurance. Mr. Solomon has a BBA from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from New York University. He is currently an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.
David Sonde, Managing Partner of The Winvale Group, a highly specialized government contracts consulting firm with expertise in the GSA Schedule Program. Mr. Sonde is responsible for leading The Winvale Group's sales and marketing efforts as well as its long-term strategic goals and initiatives. Having worked with a number of startups and multinational companies, Mr. Sonde’s in-depth knowledge and understanding of government procurement has enabled The Winvale Group to become the leader in the marketplace while allowing his clients to achieve continued success. Mr. Sonde received his degree from Ithaca College in Business and Marketing.
Alec Stone, MA, MPA - President of The Stone Group. He has been a leader in nonprofit association management for more than a decade. Mr. Stone began The Stone Group to provide premium organizational management to the nonprofit environment with services including complete office administration, membership, budgeting, development, event planning, IT support, communications, and legislative and regulatory analysis. His expertise is in biomedical and healthcare association management and has worked with premiere organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Medical Association, American Dental Association and the American Library Association. Mr. Stone holds a BA in history from Memphis State University, a Masters of Public Administration from Southern Illinois University’s Graduate School of Public Affairs, and a Masters in Political Management from The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management.
Brooke Tucker, Managing Director of Tucker Capital Advisors LLC. Mr. Tucker has provided financial advisory and consulting services in over 100 M&A and private placement transactions since 1990. He is highly experienced in the placement of senior debt, mezzanine, and equity financing in support of transactions. Mr. Tucker has managed over 200 valuation engagements since 1995, including business valuations for business acquisition and divestiture, estate and gift tax planning, ESOPs, complex estate freezes, buy-sell agreements and litigation matters. Mr. Tucker has 30 years of financial experience, including asset-based lending, business valuation, debt restructuring, debt and equity placements, venture capital and financial and transaction advisory in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Tucker received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Roanoke College (1974) and is a Certified Financial Planner.
David Warschawski, CEO and founder of Warschawski, specializing in helping clients achieve business results through branding strategies, PR and marketing strategies. He has developed a proprietary model, BrandMaPRSM, to facilitate this process. Over the course of his career, David has worked with many of the leading brands in the world including: Microsoft, Black & Decker, and SunTrust Bank. Mr. Warschawski has been involved in diverse communications activities ranging from announcing and obtaining media coverage to authoring an op/ed piece for the President of one of the world’s largest countries, positioned and lead companies through the IPO process, and helped a client obtain a multi-million dollar court settlement through aggressive PR tactics. Mr. Warschawski serves on the Board of Directors for Baltimore Hebrew University, The Interpreter’s Forum and Beth Tfiloh School. He is a dual U.S. and Swiss citizen and speaks English, German and Swiss German. He is a Dean’s List graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Studio Arts.
Ezra Weinblatt, Real Estate Broker, Senior Associate, Scheer Partners Inc. Scheer Partners is a leading provider of commercial real estate consulting services in the greater Washington metropolitan area. At Scheer Partners, Ezra’s efforts are divided between corporate advisory services and landlord representation with a specialized focus in the Montgomery County submarkets. Ezra earned a BA in political science from the University of Maryland in 2000 before signing up to serve in the military. When Ezra returned from overseas, he successfully launched a nonprofit devoted to the procurement of bulletproof vests for soldiers serving on the front lines. His professional affiliations include Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Maryland High Tech Council. He has degrees from the University of Maryland College Park and Tel Aviv University.
Dan Wise, Partner, Gorfine Shiller and Gardyn, accountants. Mr. Wise has 15 plus years of experience in business, accounting, and tax. Previously, Mr. Wise was CFO of a multimillion dollar Non-Profit with 7 locations. His broad experience includes the areas of SEC reporting, taxation and transactional planning, both domestic and international. Dan has also worked as controller/director of financial reporting for an internationally consolidated hi-tech firm, and in the tax departments of PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG Peat Marwick and BDO Seidman. Dan received a Bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania, graduating magna cum laude with a double major in finance and accounting. Dan holds CPA licenses both here in the U.S. and in Israel.
P. Richard Zitelman, CPA, CVA - Mr. Zitelman began his career in public accounting in 1977 at Ernst & Ernst. After serving in the audit and tax divisions for two years, he joined a regional savings and loan as Corporate Controller. Gaining experience in financing real estate and the financial markets, Mr. Zitelman went on to provide high income net worth individuals with investment advisory, tax planning, accounting and tax preparation services. As Principal and President, he led a Registered Broker-Dealer to provide due diligence, structuring, negotiating and financing limited partnerships in radio broadcast properties and real estate. In 1985, Mr. Zitelman founded The Zitelman Group (TZG) to identify investment opportunities and provide financial services specializing in evaluating, valuing, financing, owning, operating and investing in closely held entities and other illiquid investments. Recognizing the growing demands of valuation and litigation support services, he co-founded Valuation Services, Inc. in 1994. He received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1977 and is a Registered Investment Advisor and Registered Securities Principal & Representative. Additionally, he is a Certified Public Accountant – (CPA) Mediator and Certified Valuation Analyst – (CVA).