Executive Committee

Craig Waller is and IP Attorney at Ference & Associates, a Pittsburgh-based IP Boutique, and the founder and President of Patintelligent, a Pittsburgh-based Intellectual Asset Management consulting company. Mr. Waller serves a variety of clientele needs in Intellectual Property legal matters, including procurement, enforcement, licensing and opinion writing, through Ference & Associates while providing management consulting services separately to large corporations in need of Intellectual Property Asset Management strategies for identifying, developing, leveraging and monetizing their Intellectual Assets.
After graduating cum laude with his BS in Mechanical Engineering, and working as a network administrator and R&D intern, Craig Waller went on to work as a Product Engineer in the automotive industry before studying law at The John Marshall Law School. While serving on numerous committees and working at an Intellectual Property boutique in downtown Chicago, he was able to graduate with his JD along with a Certificate for Outstanding Academic Achievement in the Field of IP Law.
After more than a decade of working with clientele from Start-up to the Fortune 50, including practicing as an IP/Patent attorney at K&L (www.klgates.com – an AmLaw 100 law firm) and The Webb Law Firm (www.webblaw.com – 30+ attorney IP boutique), time and time again Mr. Waller discovered that many corporations did not adequately appreciate the gravity of underutilized and/or under-managed Intellectual Assets. This was evident when clients would often inquire as to the business implications of other’s patents in their technology space as well as meaningfulness of their innovations, or opportunity for innovation, in the patent landscape. Thus, Mr. Waller founded Patintelligent to bridge the chasm between traditional legal services and business-centric IP consulting solutions and strategies for value creation, identification, contextualization and monetization, while maintaining his legal practice for clientele only interested in procurement, enforcement, licensing and legal opinions.
With diverse experiences in R&D and IT/IS, along with a plenitude of developing/emerging technologies consumed as a registered patent attorney, Mr. Waller serves with a variety of large corporations and small inventors in multiple industries to handle the legal or consulting needs presented. Mr. Waller also serves on several boards and committees for his companies and various non-profits including, for example, the chairing the executive board of the Enterprise Forum of Pittsburgh (www.enterpriseforumpittsburgh.com) as well as serving a secretary on the executive board of The Pittsburgh Experiment (www.pghexp.com). He has also spoken nationally, has published works surrounding IP and entrepreneurial related topics and generally enjoys helping entrepreneurs navigate their paths to success. Mr. Waller is admitted to practice as an attorney in the State of Pennsylvania and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

As an Executive in Residence, Desmond O’Connor works with the management teams of start-up technology companies to identify and address critical business issues including intellectual property creation and protection, product development, marketing, sales, fundraising, management recruitment and growth planning. Some of these high potential enterprises become members of the Innovation Works investment portfolio. For a portfolio company, Des provides mentoring and network access, and serves as an observer on the board of directors.
Des has over 15 years experience in strategic business planning and corporate operations both in early-stage technology ventures and Fortune 1000 companies. Prior to joining Innovation Works, Des was Business Development Director for Management Science Associates (MSA) where he led client-facing activities in the Alcohol Beverage and Publishing industry groups in addition to broader responsibilities in business development and product commercialization. Before joining MSA, Mr. O’Connor was VP Business Development for Haley Systems, an early-stage artificial intelligence software company in Pittsburgh. He previously gained experience managing an early-stage technology company as VP Globalization Strategy for Clickthebutton.com, an Internet-based price comparison services provider based in New York City. Previously, Des was a Principal Consultant with the Strategic Change Consulting Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P., where he focused on strategy development, particularly in the areas of sales and marketing information, primarily for major CPG clients. Mr. O'Connor also worked in brand management for the Weight Watchers Food Company and in customer marketing for SmithKline Beecham Consumer Products.

Des O'Connor holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University College Dublin and an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University.

Chuck is a Senior Audit Manager for Schneider Downs, one of the 50 largest public accounting firms in the United States and third largest in Western Pennsylvania. Since 2007, Chuck has provided the firm with a unique blend of practice expertise, including experience working with national and local SEC companies, large private companies and numerous nonprofit organizations.
In addition to his public accounting experience in numerous industries, Chuck also plays an important role internally at Schneider Downs, serving the firm on a number of technical and service committees. Chuck is a member of the firm’s Nonprofit Services group, as well as its SEC industry group, and is a contributor to the Schneider Downs Insights blog.
Chuck is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. Chuck came to Schneider Downs after spending more than eight years at a national accounting firm.

Leveraging extensive executive leadership experience within bootstrap start-ups and Fortune 1000s in branding, business development, marketing, angel investment and management, Christopher serves as Vice President of TrueFit.
Christopher forges strategic alliance partnerships, shapes TrueFit’s brand, drives new business, and spearheads our growth strategy. He also works closely with clients to dial-up the value of product ideas, seek funding, and get to market. Christopher’s passion is helping clients create disruptive new technology products.
Prior to joining TrueFit, Christopher held senior roles at industry leaders including Mastech, Blue Hammock and PNC Financial Services Group. In his role as Director of Global Marketing for Mastech, Christopher helped drive strategic initiatives which included the 2006 launch of RPOworldwide, a start-up recruitment process outsourcing firm which operated under the Mastech corporate banner, and Mastech’s successful spin-off from former parent iGATE Corporation. Christopher was a co-founder of CRM start-up Blue Hammock, where he helped lead a $1.5M initial angel fundraising round, transform from start-up into a recognized industry leader, and later sell off via acquisition.
Brands under his auspices have been granted the awards ‘2007 Thought Leader of the Year’, ‘Emerging Market Leader’, and the ‘2008 Relationship of the Year’. It has been said that branding, launching new ideas, and innovating are a part of Christopher’s core DNA.
In addition to his roles at TrueFit, Christopher serves as Chairman of the Member/Partner Committee, and member of the Screening Committee for BlueTree Allied Angels, the region’s leading group of accredited investors who invest in early-stage companies, and as member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Forum Pittsburgh, a leading educational organization for entrepreneurs. Christopher is also a member of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh's Advertising Program Advisory Committee, and former member of the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association.
Christopher is a published writer and regular speaker at industry events and universities, including Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Duquesne University. Although he is always working, he loves spending time with his family, snow skiing, cycling the city, relaxing poolside with a cigar and enjoying the music of Frank Sinatra.

Daniel Bates, an award-winning writer and editor, is Strategic Relations Manager in the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Technology Management. The office facilitates the commercialization of innovations from University faculty, staff and students. Dan oversees marketing communications, commercialization education for faculty, outreach and other strategic relations efforts there. Dan joined Pitt in 2002, after 18 years in the media as a writer and editor in Pittsburgh and Boston.
Prior to Pitt, Dan served almost eight years as editor of SBN Magazine, whose mission was to motivate, educate and inspire entrepreneurially minded senior executives. Previously, he was a reporter for the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Jerry is currently General Manager at Philips Respironics, a division of Philips Electronics, which purchased medSage Technologies in 2010. Jerry joined medSage as President & CEO in 2006, grew the company twenty-five fold, and negotiated a highly successful exit.

Before joining medSage, Jerry was Executive Vice President of Morneau Sobeco, a prominent benefits outsourcing firm. Morneau successfully completed an IPO in 2005. During Jerry's tenure, Morneau's revenue increased more than ten-fold, to over $70 million.

Jerry began his career with management consulting firm, Bain & Company, where he worked as a consultant in their San Francisco and Toronto offices.

Jerry has a degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University, where he was a member of both Tau Beta Pi and Phi Beta Kappa. In 1990, he won the Ford Prize honoring the valedictorian of the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD), a leading international MBA program.

Practice Areas

• Business Succession Planning
• Commercial and Residential Development
• Corporate and Business
• Leasing
• Real Estate and Real Estate Development
• Securities
• Associate

Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
jfarber@thorpreed.com
412 394 7720 Office
215 640 8419 Office
412 394 2555 Fax

Mr. Farber is a member of Thorp Reed & Armstrong's General Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group and Real Estate Practice and Real Estate Development Practice Group. Mr. Farber focuses his practice on a wide range of legal matters including mergers and acquisitions, formation and structuring of business entities, commercial real estate development and leasing projects, private equity and venture capital transactions, securities offerings and disclosure compliance, and general corporate transactions.

Mr. Farber advises established and emerging businesses on the various issues faced throughout a company's life cycle, including formation, capitalization, equity investment, commercial transactions, debt financing, acquisitions, divestitures and succession planning. Mr Farber has counseled numerous parties through the formation and structuring of new entities and ventures, and has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating limited liability company agreements, partnership agreements, buy-sell agreements and other organizational documents. Mr. Farber also assists entities in compliance with corporate formalities and business law requirements.

Mr. Farber has a wide range of experience representing buyers and sellers in complex acquisition transactions, including mergers, stock purchases, and asset purchases in the real estate, manufacturing, construction, retail and printing industries. In the area of private equity and venture capital, Mr. Farber's experience includes drafting of private placement memoranda, preparation of shareholders and operating agreements, securities law compliance, and counseling both the management of and investors in such entities.

Mr. Farber's real estate practice focuses primarily in the areas of real estate acquisition, leasing and development including the sale, leasing and purchase of office buildings, shopping centers, manufacturing facilities, apartment complexes and planned community projects. Mr. Farber's real estate experience also includes representing real estate companies in tax assessment appeals and land use and zoning matters. Mr. Farber also has advised both property owners and energy companies in the sale, leasing, and assignment of mineral rights.

Experience

• Real Estate Transactions
• Represented national real estate company in the purchase of numerous large, multifamily residential apartment complexes totaling in excess of $100 million.
• Represented closely held real estate company in the sale of $135 million commercial property portfolio to public REIT.
• Represented developer in the acquisition of numerous sites for commercial development

A graduate of MIT, Corey has investigated the use of computer vision and automated analysis techniques in medical imaging and gene expression. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science with an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering and has spent the majority of her career working with medical doctors and researchers seeking to apply advanced algorithms to solving problems in health care.

Currently, Corey is a Staff Research Scientist with MEDRAD, Inc. (a Bayer Healthcare subsidiary) in Pittsburgh and leads several product innovation and development efforts for the MR and CT imaging modalities. She is actively involved with many nationally known radiologists (thought leaders) and is working to bring healthcare informatics to reality for the working radiologists. She has presented at international conferences and tradeshows and conducts original research into personalized patient protocol technology (P3T™) for radiological contrast injection for MEDRAD.

David is Co-Founder and former CEO of Bossa Nova Robotics, a firm founded on the vision of creating dynamic and engaging experiences with innovative robots. The global commercialization of this vision resulted in David being named a 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. He is presently initiating social impact ventures focused on enabling innovation and start-up capacities in disadvantaged regions.

David has received recognition by the Pittsburgh Technology Council for his accomplishments at Bossa Nova Robotics, winning the Rising Star Award in 2009 and as a finalist for the Innovator of the YearAward in 2011. David and the Bossa Nova story were featured in November 2009 edition of TIME Magazine. In February 2011 David was invited to the White House to advise with President Obama’s staff on policies engendering enterprise formation and growth. He has been invited to meet with leading members of the Senate and House to discuss similar topics and current legislation.

Prior to Bossa Nova, David held leadership positions at FedEx including senior management responsibility for Strategic Planning, Supply Chain Alliances & Partnerships, and Product Management of the Technology Products group.

David has a B.S. from Penn State, an MBA from UCLA, and has completed three years of doctoral research at the University of Southern California focusing on the impact of innovation and entrepreneurship on economic development in distressed regions. David has served as a board member for Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA students’ second year project and has given a talk at the Tepper School entitled ‘Inspiration, Innovation, and Commercialization’.

David speaks conversational Mandarin and has traveled to over 40 countries. He founded a relief and development mission in Syria and is currently leading an economic development mission to Cambodia. David and his wife Hwan reside in the neighborhood of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh where they welcome international students to live with them in their home.

Mr. Park is one of the founding partners of Ferrum Capital, a group focused on facilitating investment for hotels and retail developments.

He has been a consultant to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, where he was researching the IFC's job creation activity through their global private equity investments. He has been a consultant to the board of Calvert Social Funds, a publicly traded mutual fund, running their private equity and venture capital activities in the Special Equities program. During that time he was responsible for over $50 mil in investments in about 30 funds and 30 direct investments. Mr. Park began his investment career at Draper Triangle Ventures and Lycos Ventures in Pittsburgh during the dot-com era in 1999. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University (B.S. Math/Computer Science 1994, B.A. Economics 1994, MBA 1998)

Mr. Park has been the executive chair of the MIT Enterprise Forum of Washington D.C. and Baltimore. He has been a member of the Forum since 2002. He has also been very active with the Carnegie Mellon Alumni association, having helped restart the Washington D.C. chapter of the Tepper Alumni program.

Mr. Poli was involved in the start-up of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum in the mid-1980's.
Senior Managing Consultant at Berkeley Research Group LLC
Location
Mckees Rocks, Pennsylvania
Industry
Architecture & Planning

Current	Berkeley Research Group LLC , Anthony G. Poli, AIA
Previous	Robson Forensic, Inc. ,Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. ,Poli & Cuteri Architects
Education	M. Arch., architecture at University of Washington

Jack Roseman, Director of the Roseman Institute, was a chaired Professor of Entrepreneurship of Carnegie Mellon University.  Previously, he founded three companies and was President of On-Line Systems, an American Stock Exchange company eventually sold to Sprint. Besides having been a columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jack co-authored Outrageous Optimism: Wisdom for the Entrepreneurial Journey, a well-received book on his philosophy of business and life in general.  A serial entrepreneur, Jack, described as a warm, insightful and often amusing guide to the realities of running your own business, was recently presented the first Outstanding Achievement Award by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. 
He has been honored with additional awards including:

• Lifetime Achievement Award by the Entrepreneurship Center of Carnegie Mellon University
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Western PA by Ernst & Young

Teaching Award by Carnegie Mellon University

Jay Srini is currently serving as the Chief Strategist at SCS Ventures where she is working with startup companies internationally to help them with their business development, technology strategy and expansion. The business models for the client companies range from e-health to personal health management, and telemedicine. Jay’s prior experience includes her role as Chief Innovation Officer for UPMC Insurance Services Division as well as her role as Vice President of Emerging Technologies for UPMC. Her responsibilities as VP of Emerging Technologies included providing strategic direction and input regarding emerging technologies and solutions to UPMC and their Insurances subsidiary. Jay was Managing Director for e-Health Initiatives at Internet Venture Works prior to joining UPMC.

Jay has a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from New York University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Bucknell University and her executive education from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She also serves on the advisory board of several entrepreneurial companies, nonprofit health care organizations and serves as one of the commissioners at CCHIT (Certification Commission of HealthCare Information Technology) in addition to her role as adjunct faculty at the University of Pittsburgh.

Julia Thrower specializes in complex quantitative and financial modeling. She currently works as a business analyst at EQT Corporation’s headquarters, and has past experience at Bombardier, Boeing, and General Electric.

Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from MIT. She is completing an MBA at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, where she was recognized as a Forte Fellow and received the Credit Suisse Award for Academic Excellence in Finance.

As a native of the Pittsburgh area, Julia is passionate about the long term economic viability of the region. She aims to further this vision through the promotion of entrepreneurship.

Mr. Whitehill is the owner of PMN, Inc. a regional investment banking firm, founded in 1995. PMN, Inc. participates in the financing of local entrepreneurial endeavors.

John has an MBA from Cornell University and an MSEC from Carnegie Mellon University, where he was appointed as a visiting scholar in the School of Computer Sciences for 5 years ending in 2009.

John co-founded the Center for Appalachian Network Access (CANA), a philanthropic effort to deploy telecommunication and internet technologies in rural and isolated communities. Most recently, CANA is assisting the efforts of Catholic Charities to acculturate refugee populations.