Keynote Speakers
Sybilla Lenz
Founder
Positive Living By Design
Keynote Title – Entrepreneurship & Energy
Sybilla Lenz is a serial entrepreneur, balancing a highly successful wealth management practice with a
passion for helping others as an internationally recognized Feng Shui teacher, author, and consultant.
Known for helping clients find a life they love, Sybilla recently completed the Audio Book Healthy Home,
Healthy Me. She is also the author and contributor to Living An Abundant Life, The Prosperity Factor,
and Welcome Home.
You can learn more about Sybilla at Positive Living by Design.
Chris Satullo
Principal
Keystone Civic Ventures, LLC
Keynote Title – Redraw The Lines
Ever been on a job interview? So you have a sense of how they’re supposed to go. But the regular job interviews known as elections have gotten out of whack lately.
The self-interest of candidates runs roughshod over the needs of the legitimate bosses of democracy, the voters. A key cause of this problem is the practice known as gerrymandering. In recent years, technology has enabled political operatives to take this partisan practice nuclear – nowhere more so than in our own state. A new initiative called Draw the Lines PA hopes to turn the situation around – by putting the key technology and data in the hands of ordinary voters and students. Learn about what Draw the Lines PA is up to from the person running the initiative.
Chris Satullo is a lifelong journalist now working as a civic engagement consultant to Pennsylvania’s oldest good government group, the Committee of Seventy. Previously, he was vice president of news and civic dialogue at WHYY, Philadelphia’s public media outlet. He’s also been editorial page editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer and managing editor at the Express-Times newspaper in Easton. He’s won more than 60 awards for newswriting, columns, editorials, news design and civic engagement.
Workshops
Marc Gonzalez
Co-Founder
Site2
Presentation Title – Cyber Hygiene
According to the Better Business Bureau, only 35% of business owners say they could remain profitable
for more than three months if they permanently lost access to essential data. Entrepreneurs often
believe that their businesses are simply too small to be a target of cyber crime, yet their businesses
could be among the most vulnerable in the absence of proactive steps. Join Marc Gonzalez, a principal
at Site2, to learn about how you can take common sense steps to protect your business and employees
with good cyber hygiene practices!
Marc Gonzalez is a cyber hygiene and cyber compliance specialist with over 26 years’ experience. Marc
is the Information Security Officer at Site2, a data management and security consulting services firm
which helps organizations comply with federal and industry regulations such as HIPAA, NIST 800 and ISO
27001. For non-regulated organizations, Marc’s team helps improve cyber security practices and
employee cyber security awareness.
Marc’s career has included positions with three fortune 100 companies with Information Systems audit
responsibilities, application development, IT management, help desk & infrastructure support, and
business continuity planning.
Learn more at Site2.
Mandy Pennington
Net Driven
Presentation Title – Build Audience Understanding through Personas
You’ve heard about target audiences, but have you explored personas? Personas are a powerful tool for you to use in crafting more engaging customer journeys, stronger marketing messages, and customer service practices that wow. In this session, we’ll talk about what personas are, how to make them, and how to apply them to your business strategy.
Mandy Pennington is a writer, marketer, and teacher with a passion for the art of storytelling. She is the Director of Internet Marketing at Net Driven and is actively involved with organizations that enrich our region, including the NEPA Tech Meetup and the Scranton Fringe Festival. Mandy is also an award-winning regional actress, playwright, and adjunct instructor at Marywood University in the Communication Arts Department. She co-founded NEPA BlogCon, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s blogging and social media conference, and Squirrel Girls Tech Camp, a STEM initiative for girls in grades 4-6. She is a CASE District II Accolades Award panelist, Northeast PA Business Journal Top 20 Under 40 recipient, 2016 SAGE Award nominee, and a proud recipient of Marywood University’s Recent Alumni Award for Professional Achievement.
Jerry Lisman
Lisman Holdings
Workshop Title – Selling On Amazon
Are you interested in building a sales business on Amazon? If so, join this workshop to learn the “Do’s and Don’ts” from a successful third party sales company. Workshops topics will cover expectations for margins, fees, and profitability potential as well as the pros and cons of Self-fulfillment or Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
Jerry Lisman is Chief Executive Officer of Lisman Holdings, is a three platform operating company focused on medical products, online retailing and business strategies in addition to investments in children’s winter wear accessories, web page hosting and several consumer products. Jerry has over 35 years of sales, marketing and operational experience with several large medical and distribution companies.
Jerry is an Executive Business Mentor at the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Wilkes University, mentoring students, faculty, and staff to develop and own companies from inception to commercialization. He also works with a fee for service clients of the center on specific projects. Giving back to the community is important to Jerry and he serves as Chairman of the Board of Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, serves on the advisory boards of several startups and early-stage companies in the region and is a Director Emeritus of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Bridge.
Ryan Hetel
Founder
Socialocca
Workshop Title – Social Media, Where is it Going ?
Social Media should be pretty simple right? Then why is trying to utilize it so complicated? Ryan from Socialocca explores the ‘future’ of what social media is becoming and discusses why it’s imperative to cultivate a social media presence to achieve success.
Entrepreneur, business builder and musician, Ryan Hertel is a Dallas, Pennsylvania native who specializes in social media and branding. At 17 years old, Ryan founded an entertainment management company and marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial career. After emerging into the public’s eye as a DJ and music producer, Ryan switched gears and in 2016 launched his main venture as an entrepreneur, Socialocca. Through heavy networking and finding himself one step ahead of his own projects, Ryan has created a digital creative agency that has the potential for nonstop growth into every area of digital marketing, design, software, and more. Ryan hasn’t put away his turntables for good just yet, and with employees and clients residing across the country, he always tries to catch a show when traveling to cities like Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas.
Marty Wolff – Co-Presenting with Bob Courtright
Executive/Business Coach, Business Builders Show Podcast
Workshop Title – Intentional Networking
Networking is not schmoozing. Networking is the process of sharing and engaging for the benefit of you and others. Whether you are an experienced professional, or just getting started, join workshop hosts Marty Wolff and Bob Courtright to discuss tips and strategies for creating networking opportunities that produce real, satisfying, results.
Marty Wolff is a serial entrepreneur, business coach, and business journalist. In addition to his coaching and consulting practice, Marty hosts a regional radio show, Business Leaders Radio and a nationally recognized podcast, the Business Builders Show. Marty’s skill in securing well-known guests for his shows are a direct result of his skills as a master networker. Marty is on the board of the Northeast PA Networkers.
Bob Courtright – Co-Presenting with Marty Wolff
Courtright & Associates, Inc.
Robert J. Courtright is President of Courtright & Associates, Inc., a retained executive search consulting, business development & outplacement firm, located in Scranton, PA. Mr. Courtright founded the firm in 1989. He also offers business, Networking & Linkedin consulting services. He is Chairman of the Northeast PA Networkers.
It has become obvious to students who are graduating high school and/or college that a diploma is no longer a bridge to a successful life or career. The ability to understand and implement networking skills are vital for personal and professional success. This also pertains to individuals already in the workplace who want to do better where they are at now or to move on to a new opportunity. This workshop is designed to go beyond fundamental networking and will teach you how to not only connect with people but positively influence them.
Learning Sessions
Terry Jones, CPA
Partner
Jones Kohanski
Learning Session Title – Best Practices Looking Through the Eyes of a CPA
Ever wonder what mistakes accountants see all the time? How about the little things that make a big difference in highly successful businesses? Join a CPA and business founder to hear his thoughts and answer your questions on how to best position your venture for success.
Terry is the founder and managing partner of JonesKonhanski & Co., PC a regional accounting and consulting firm with offices in Moosic and Sugarloaf. Terry has earned both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential. Terry obtained his undergraduate degree from Rutgers, a MBA from New York University, and graduate credits at Wilkes University. Terry is an active member of the community including board leadership positions at tecBRIDGE, Rotary Club of Hazleton, Hazleton Rotary Foundation, Hazleton Chamber of Commerce and CAN DO.
Tony Bartocci
Principal
Posture Interactive
Learning Session Title – Online Reputation
Are you obsessed with your business’ online reputation?!? You should be! Take control of your digital footprint before a consumer controls it for you. In this session we’ll discuss the importance of generating authentic reviews, consumer buying habits, streamlined business listings, current online profiles and why on earth you don’t have all this under control already!!
Tony is a Principal in Posture Interactive – a full service web design and development firm. I’m passionate about people – clients, friends, family – they make what we do at Posture go round.
Alicia Tompkins
Learning Session Title: Let’s Get A Loan
John Megargell
Web.com
Learning Session Title – Website Analytics
John has been involved with creating content, designing websites, and marketing them for over 20 years. He is currently the Director of Technical Support at Web.com in which he leads a team of individuals who help small businesses succeed through web hosting, security and online marketing. John has real life experience with running a small business as he owned and operated a successful DJ service in the Bloomsburg area for 10 years. Website marketing and analytics was a key component of the success. John also has a degree in Computer Information Systems from Bloomsburg University and currently resides outside of Bloomsburg with his family.
Jordan Galasso
Founder
Fit A.F
Session Title – Nutrition as a Competitive Advantage
Eating healthy goes beyond just wanting to look good naked, it impacts the most valuable asset to your company, your mindset. Constant battling with the inability to focus or maintain emotional stability are just two things that can inhibit your growth and ultimate success as a business owner. And they are both affected by what you eat.
Jordan has been doing one on one fitness training as well as nutrition coaching for over 8 years. His new business, Fit AF is a healthy meal delivery service, distributing fresh food weekly all over northeastern Pennsylvania.
Panel Discussion – Sales is Not a Four Letter Word
Cyndi Montigney
National Enterprise Account Manager
Comcast Business
Cyndi Montigney is an award winning National Account Executive in the Telecommunications Industry with demonstrated experience in business development, account management, product development and team leadership.
Cyndi’s experience with Fortune 50 – 500 companies includes JP Morgan Chase. IBM, General Electric, PepsiCo, CVS, MetLife, Prudential, Aetna, Liberty Mutual, Rite Aid, Staples, Cigna, PNC Bank, EMC, Family Dollar, Hertz and Avis.
Frank Segarra
President/CEO
Connexicore
Frank Segarra is a 27-year veteran of the IT, telecommunications and aviation industry and currently the Founder and CEO of ConnexiCore, a nationwide commercial drone service and solutions provider headquartered in Pike County Pennsylvania. Utilizing ConnexiCore Cloud as a drone mission platform, ConnexiCore caters its services to clients who need and see value in “Total Asset and Data Management” built around spatial analytics, artificial intelligence, and decision support systems that provide an end-to-end cloud solution for: Data Acquisition, Attribution, Field Management, Visualization and Insight.
Frank is a US Navy veteran and served three WEST-PAC tours on the USS Kitty Hawk and specialized in Avionics Engineering. Frank has always had a passion for aviation and has flown RC aircraft since childhood. Frank’s career success and personal growth has been driven by the positive and lasting business relationships established across a variety of industry channels. He is happily married with 2 sons’ and resides in Milford, Pennsylvania where when he is not leading the helm at his company he enjoys the game of baseball, home carpentry, boating, golfing, and watching classic movies in his home theater.
Kenneth Okrepkie
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of NEPA
I’ve been afforded numerous opportunities working in higher education, managing non-profit organizations and enjoying the world of the entrepreneur.
Now, I’m putting to use all of my experiences facilitating technology-based economic development in Northeastern Pennsylvania among the region’s fourteen colleges and universities. I previously established and managed the Keystone Innovation Zones for Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties returning more than $10M to early-stage companies. Additionally, I serve on the board of directors for the region’s five business incubators.
As a resource for local entrepreneurs, I work with our state and federal legislators to bring opportunities to the region. I currently hold a position with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of NEPA where we provide funding and support to start-up companies and established manufacturers.
BPC Teams