Built in Ohio

Aplos Data: Operationalizing AI with Palantir-Powered Systems (No. 104)

Wed, 13 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Aplos Data is coming out of stealth with a clear focus: helping organizations move beyond disconnected data, stalled use cases, and AI pilots that never reach production.

In this episode, Aplos Data co-founders Ian Ferré, CEO, and Sean Dooley, Executive Chairman, join the podcast to discuss how they are helping businesses operationalize AI through data, workflow automation, and Palantir-powered systems.

Aplos works with organizations to turn complex data environments into coherent operating systems that drive real decisions, execution, and outcomes. The company focuses on designing and delivering operational systems, taking high-potential use cases from concept to production, and aligning data, AI, and workflows around measurable business value.

Ian and Sean also share the story behind launching Aplos, why they believe companies need long-term partners rather than one-off implementations, and how their experience building and scaling businesses shapes the way they serve clients.

The conversation explores AI, data, digital twins, predictive insights, operational efficiency, and what it takes for organizations to move from experimentation to real-world impact.

Connect with Ian on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sean on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Aplos Data.

Building Accent: Chris Cameron on Entrepreneurship, Cloud Communications, & Customer-Focused Growth (No. 103)

Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Accent has grown into a trusted cloud communications provider serving organizations ranging from small businesses to large enterprises.

In this episode, Chris Cameron, CEO of Accent, joins the podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey — from working at Accent to buying the company and becoming its president and CEO.

Chris discusses how Accent helps businesses modernize communication through cloud phone systems, video meetings, team messaging, unified communications, and cloud contact center solutions. He also shares what it means to build a company that is “big enough to deliver and small enough to care,” and how Accent serves customers across industries with practical, reliable communication tools.

The conversation explores entrepreneurship, business ownership, customer service, and the evolving role of cloud communications in how organizations work today.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Accent.

Scaling Ohio’s Startup Ecosystem with Michelle Murcia (No. 102)

Wed, 13 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Ohio’s startup ecosystem has grown from early investments and foundational programs into a thriving network of entrepreneurs, investors, operators, and support organizations.

In this episode, Michelle Murcia, founder and CEO of Book+Street, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of the Columbus and Ohio startup ecosystem, her decades of work supporting entrepreneurs, and why she launched Book+Street in 2018.

Michelle shares lessons from her time at Battelle, Fletcher Spaght Ventures, TechColumbus, and Book+Street, where her team supports startups from ideation through Series B and beyond. The conversation also explores Ohio’s growth as a place for startups and how the region can continue building momentum while staying true to its Midwest culture and values.

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Book+Street.

Making Modern Software Work: Brendan Gualdoni on Composable Commerce and Agentic Automation (No. 0101)

Wed, 13 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Modern software promises speed, flexibility, and growth — but too often, businesses find themselves boxed in by legacy systems, rigid “out-of-the-box” features, and digital projects that never fully deliver.

In this episode, Brendan Gualdoni, Chief Operating Officer of Aries Solutions, joins the podcast to discuss how companies can modernize complex digital ecosystems through composable commerce, agentic automation, and a more strategic approach to software transformation.

Brendan shares why technology modernization is not just a technical challenge, but a leadership and culture challenge. He explains how companies can move beyond transactional vendor relationships, evaluate digital partners based on trust and accountability, and build hybrid teams that combine internal knowledge with outside expertise.

The conversation also explores Aries Solutions’ commitment to helping clients get live and into production — and why execution, alignment, and end-to-end accountability are what separate successful digital transformations from stalled projects.

Connect with Brendan on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Aries Solutions.

Building Ohio’s Quantum and AI Workforce with Miami University’s Beena Sukumaran (No. 100)

Wed, 13 May 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Miami University is helping prepare the next generation of technology talent through first-of-its-kind programs in quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

In this episode, Beena Sukumaran, Professor and the Dinesh and ILA Paliwal Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at Miami University, joins the podcast to discuss how Miami is building new pathways for students in some of the most important emerging technology fields.

Miami’s College of Engineering and Computing is home to the first Bachelor of Science in Quantum Computing in Ohio and the first in the nation focused on software applications. Developed in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, the program gives students hands-on experience with real quantum systems, including opportunities to work with IBM’s System One Quantum computer both physically at Cleveland Clinic and virtually from Miami’s Oxford campus.

The conversation also explores Miami’s efforts to expand the quantum talent pipeline through K–12 outreach, high school programs, experiential learning, internships, research, and industry partnerships.

Dean Sukumaran also shares what makes Miami’s new AI program distinct, including its focus on building AI systems, not just using AI tools, and preparing students to apply AI responsibly across industries.

Connect with Dean Sukumaran on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Miami University's College of Engineering and Computing.

AI as the New Operating System for Manufacturing and Healthcare with Quentin Fisher (No. 099)

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The AI era is not just about making old systems faster. It is a shift from operating on the ground to operating in the air — requiring new tools, new controls, and a new way for organizations to coordinate work.

In this episode, Quentin Fisher, CEO and founder of Aidan Systems, shares how manufacturing and healthcare organizations can move into the AI era with practical, trusted, and operationally focused solutions.

Quentin discusses Aidan Systems’ AI Control Tower, a platform designed to help organizations turn enterprise data into trusted insight and action without ripping out existing systems. He also explains why not every business process needs AI, why choosing the right starting point matters, and how organizations can maintain and improve their AI capabilities over time.

The conversation also explores Aidan’s broader mission: helping reindustrialize the Midwest with AI and supporting healthcare providers as they work to serve more people in a rapidly changing world.

Connect with Quentin on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Aidan Systems.

Connecting Labs to Communities: Anthony Gillespie of Parallax Advanced Research (No. 098)

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Built in Ohio we’re joined by Anthony Gillespie, Director of Strategic and Technology-Based Partnerships and the Technology Transfer Office at Parallax Advanced Research.

Anthony brings more than 30 years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, government, university tech transfer, and consulting—all focused on advancing innovation and economic impact.

At Parallax, Anthony helps connect groundbreaking research with real-world application. One of the programs he leads is the Precision Urban Agriculture Initiative, a NIST-funded effort that’s transforming underused urban spaces in Cuyahoga County into productive farming hubs powered by aerospace technology.

This work is directly tackling food security, sustainability, and workforce development—while serving as a model for how technology transfer can solve real community challenges.

In our conversation, we explored Anthony’s career journey, the critical role of tech transfer in Ohio’s innovation ecosystem, and how initiatives like Precision Urban Agriculture are reimagining what’s possible for the state’s future.

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn

Learn more about Parallax Advanced Research: www.parallaxresearch.org

Learn more about the Ohio Aerospace Institute: www.oai.org

Inside VC Fest: Lorne Novick on Building Ohio’s Startup Future (No. 097)

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Built in Ohio we’re joined by Novick, the Interim CEO of JumpStart Inc.

Lorne has spent his career at the intersection of law, startups, sports, and venture—always with a focus on driving innovation and impact. At JumpStart, he’s held senior leadership roles overseeing services, deal flow, and strategy, helping to build one of Ohio’s most influential entrepreneurial organizations. Now as Interim CEO, he’s steering JumpStart through a pivotal moment, working to accelerate the launch and growth of high-potential companies while expanding the state’s innovation ecosystem.

One of the biggest ways JumpStart does this is through VC Fest, the annual gathering coming back to Cleveland on September 16th and 17th that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders from across Ohio and beyond. This year’s event introduces new elements, fresh conversations, and opportunities for collaboration that could shape the next wave of Ohio startups.

In this episode, we dig dug what makes VC Fest unique, the impact it’s already had, and where Lorne sees Ohio’s innovation ecosystem heading.

Connect with Lorne on LinkedIn.

Learn more about JumpStart at www.jumpstartinc.org

Learn more about Ohio VC Fest at www.ohiovcfest.com

From Facebook to Factory Floor: How Alexandra Scheiman Is Building the Fourth Industrial Revolution at Path Robotics (No. 96)

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Built in Ohio we’re joined by Alexandra Scheiman, Vice President of People at Path Robotics.

Alexandra brings over 15 years of experience in scaling teams, leading people strategy, and driving culture in high-growth environments—from Spotify and Facebook in New York to one of Ohio’s most innovative AI companies.

At Path Robotics, Alexandra has built the people function from the ground up, helping grow a team that's powering the next wave of manufacturing. Founded by brothers Andy and Alex Lonsberry, Path Robotics is tackling one of the industry’s biggest challenges: doing more with less.

With reshoring, rising demand, and a shrinking talent pool, manufacturers are under pressure—and Path’s AI-powered welding robots are designed to help. Their technology absorbs repetitive, high-volume work and puts humans in safer, more impactful roles.

In this episode, we talk about building values-driven teams, attracting top tech talent to Ohio, and how Alexandra’s experience at global tech companies is shaping the future of workforce strategy right here in the Midwest.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrascheiman/

Learn more about Path Robotics: www.path-robotics.com

Smart Parks and Strategic Tech: How Anthony Joy is digitally transforming Cleveland Metroparks (No. 95)

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Built in Ohio our guest is Anthony Joy, Chief Information Officer of Cleveland Metroparks.

Most people hear “parks” and think of hiking trails and picnic tables. But Anthony, who's the first-ever CIO for Cleveland Metroparks, sees something much more complex: a 25,000-acre network spanning six counties, 18 park reservations, a nationally acclaimed zoo, nine golf courses, marinas, restaurants, retail operations, and a fully commissioned law enforcement agency.

Anthony’s job? Make sure all of it runs securely, efficiently, and increasingly smartly.

With a background that started in law enforcement and evolved into higher education IT leadership roles, Joy brings a rare mix of public-sector insight, academic discipline, and creative energy to one of Ohio’s most innovative civic organizations.

This is an incredible conversation where we talk technologies like cybersecurity, AI, drones, and more.

And the next time you go to a Zoo, you're probably going to think about all you see a bit differently.

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-joy-6682581/

Learn more about the Cleveland Metroparks at: www.clevelandmetroparks.com/

Driving Government Innovation: How Shane Bigelow and CHAMP Titles are transforming public sector tech (No. 94)

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this epsiode of Built in Ohio we welcome Shane Bigelow, CEO of Cleveland-headquartered CHAMP Titles.

Modernizing government systems is a challenge few startups dare to tackle. But Shane and the CHAMP team, is proving it can be done, and done from Ohio.

Shane, whose background spans finance, capital markets, and emerging technologies, launched CHAMP to digitize one of the most outdated government processes: vehicle titling.

The company helps state governments replace paper-based systems with fully digital solutions that make buying, selling, and managing vehicle titles faster, more secure, and far less bureaucratic.

Bigelow’s inspiration for CHAMP came from recognizing just how inefficient and antiquated title processing was, and how it impacted millions of consumers, dealerships, lenders, and government agencies.

This was an incredible conversation and Shane is leading one of Ohio's most exciting tech companies.

Connect with Shane on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/shanemcrannbigelow/

Learn more about CHAMP's work at: www.champtitles.com

Rewriting the Dress Code: How Becca Wenning is Using AI to Transform Bridal Retail (No. 093)

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Built in Ohio, our guest is Becca Wenning—the founder and CEO of Dressit, a smart technology platform that uses artificial intelligence to power designer websites and guide brides—confidently and effortlessly—to the right dress and the right boutique.

Think of it as a digital matchmaker for the most important outfit a person may ever wear.

In 2010, Becca stepped into bridal retail just as Pinterest and Instagram were being born. She didn’t know it then, but the digital revolution was about to turn the wedding industry—and her career—inside out.

Becca ran her own boutique for over a decade, building a successful business that guided thousands of brides to their perfect dress. But behind the romance and ribbons, she saw chaos: brides overwhelmed by options, boutiques buried under manual processes, and designer brands unable to adapt to modern e-commerce expectations.

By the time she sold her boutique in 2020, she had cataloged every inefficiency the industry refused to fix.

Now, she’s fixing them. And building it from Coldwater, Ohio.

Connect with Becca on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/becca-wenning/

Check out Dressit at: www.dressit.ai

From telecom to family streaming: Robert Marks’ mission to bring home videos to the big screen (No. 092)

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Built in Ohio podcast, we sit down with Robert Marks, a serial entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Projector.

Robert is no stranger to building big ideas—he founded Fidelity Voice and Data with just $600 and grew it into a $30 million business, delivering internet and cloud services across the Midwest. After successfully exiting that company, he turned his focus to new ventures and giving back to the community.

Now with Projector, Robert is reimagining how families can enjoy their home videos—making it as easy as streaming your favorite show.

We talk about:

How Robert grew Fidelity Voice and Data from a $600 startup to a $30 million business
The inspiration behind Projector and how it’s making family videos as easy to stream as your favorite shows
Why Ohio is the perfect place to build — and fund — the next wave of tech companies
Lessons from a founder on scaling, selling, and starting again

Connect with Robert on LinkedIn

Learn more about Projector at www.projectorstream.com

91. Tony Pietrocola on putting Ohio on the cybersecurity map

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Built in Ohio, we sit down with Tony Pietrocola, President of AgileBlue, a Cleveland-based cybersecurity company using AI to detect and respond to threats faster than ever before.

Tony’s journey is anything but ordinary. With no formal background in cybersecurity, he co-founded AgileBlue to solve a real market need—and scaled it into one of Ohio’s fastest-growing tech startups. Today, AgileBlue’s platform monitors organizations 24/7 using autonomous technology to protect against evolving cyber threats.

We talk about:

• How Tony transitioned from serial entrepreneur to cybersecurity founder
• Why AI is now essential to defending against modern threats
• The unique challenges and advantages of building in Ohio
• What it means to launch and grow a tech company during a global pandemic

Connect with Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonypietrocola/

Learn more about AgileBlue: https://agileblue.com/

Ratmir Timashev on building the world’s strongest community of tech innovators in Central Ohio (No. 090)

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Built in Ohio, we sit down with Ratmir Timashev, a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and investor whose impact on cloud data protection and software innovation is felt worldwide.

Ratmir is an entrepreneur, technologist, and community leader, best known for his innovations in cloud data protection. Since launching Aelita Software in his dorm at the Ohio State University, Ratmir has built some of the world’s most successful tech companies, including Veeam Software, the global leader in cloud data protection and management software. Today, he invests in startups worldwide and is the co-founder of Object First, a company delivering backup storage for mid-sized businesses using Veeam.

Ratmir is the founding visionary behind the Center for Software Innovation at the Ohio State University, positioning Columbus as a global hub for AI and digital innovation. Through new cutting-edge education, career pathways, community programs, and the Techstars Columbus accelerator, the CSI team is empowering students and entrepreneurs to build the next great digital products. Together with his wife Angela and the Timashev Family Foundation, Ratmir's philanthropic impact in innovation, education, and the arts extends across Ohio and the globe.

During the conversation, Chris Berry and Ratmir talk about the entrepreneurial journey, the importance of being the first-mover (and how you need to be at the right time, right place, with a brilliant product), and the tech opportunity he sees coming out of Ohio State.

Follow Ratmir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratmirtimahsev/

Learn more about his work from his website: https://www.ratmirtimashev.com/

And discover the innovation happening at Ohio State's Center for Software Innovation: https://software.osu.edu/

89. Building billion dollar brands of the future with Procter & Gamble

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode we welcome two guests from Cincinnati-headquartered Procter & Gamble (P&G): Guy Persaud, President of the New Business Unit at Procter & Gamble and Board Chair at Cintrifuse and Chetan Parekh, Vice President & General Manager of Zevo.

Built in Ohio's host, Chris Berry, speaks with Guy and Chetan on innovation in large corporations, what it's like building and launching new brands, and the importance of strong tech ecosystems.

P&G is known for creating some of the world's most iconic brands. At P&G Ventures, they create new brands in new spaces to help consumers live life better.

--

Guy Persaud is President of the New Business Unit at Procter & Gamble and Board Chair at Cintrifuse.

Persaud has nearly three decades of experience across four continents leading multi-billion-dollar businesses and global organizations across a wide range of cultural contexts.

In his current role as president of the new business unit at Procter & Gamble, Persaud is responsible for identifying and operating high-growth and value-creation businesses outside the company's traditional business units. Previous roles at the company include: senior vice president, fabric and home care and head of brand, Latin America; senior vice president, fabric and home care, greater China; global franchise leader; and other roles in the U.S. and Europe.

A native of Canada, Guy joined Procter & Gamble after completing his Master of Business Administration at McGill University.

--

Chetan Parekh is Vice President & General Manager of Zevo.

Chetan leads the Pest Prevention brand Zevo, which is P&G’s first new category entry in over 20 years.

A native of India, Chetan joined P&G after completing his MBA at The Yale School of Management. Over his 17-year career at P&G, Chetan has had a unique journey spanning brand-building, P/L ownership, and retailer-facing experiences spanning multiple business units with a track record of delivering breakthrough results: Skincare (Olay), Healthcare (Vicks, Prilosec), Oral Care (Crest/ Oral-B), and managing P&G’s healthcare, oral care, and feminine care business on the Walmart team.

These experiences have led to the current pioneering and entrepreneurial opportunity to build Zevo from the ground up, from incubation to national scaling.

--

Learn more about Zevo at: https://zevoinsect.com/

Learn more about P&G's new venture work at: https://pgventuresstudio.com/

Learn more about Cintrifuse: https://cintrifuse.com/

Connect with Guy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guypersaud/

Connect with Chetan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetan-parekh/

###

88. Building Ohio's STEM education pipeline through partnership with Marvin Logan

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0500

Marvin Logan is the Executive Director of Youngstown-based OH WOW! Children's Center for Science & Technology.

In this episode, we spoke to Marvin about building a STEM education pipeline connecting education, government, nonprofits, and the tech industry.

OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology opened in downtown Youngstown, Ohio on May 12, 2011 to rave reviews and overwhelming community support. Today, OH WOW!®’s brand is well-respected, and the organization is an anchor and economic development engine in downtown Youngstown’s central business district, serving over 645,262 since their opening.

At OH WOW!, Marvin directs one of the region's preeminent STEM education providers, dedicated to delivering dynamic hands-on experiences by employing project and challenge-based learning to yield impactful educational results for K-12 youth. His leadership work oversees strategic and operational functions encompassing the organization’s personnel, programs, expansion efforts, goals, and mission.

To learn more about OH WOW!, please visit: https://ohwowkids.org/

Connect with Marvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinloganjr/

87. The giant Midwest innovation opportunity with Max Brickman

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0500

Max Brickman is the Managing Director of Heartland Ventures, a venture capital firm that connects high-growth startups with new customers in the Midwest.

We first welcomed Max back as a guest in April 2021. In his second appearance on the show we check in to see how the pandemic crated opportunities for venture capital in the midwest and why connecting high-growth industrial startups on the coast with new customers in the Midwest is more vital that ever.

Max is a forward-thinking venture capitalist with a passion for expanding technological innovation into smaller, underrepresented Heartland communities. In line with this passion and commitment, Max founded Heartland Ventures in 2016 to enhance Silicon Valley startups’ access to this market.

He manages the fund’s relationships with other venture capital partners and oversees key investment decisions with the Heartland team. Heartland has over $100 million under management and has invested in 14 high-performing portfolio companies.

Max received a B.S. in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2022, an Executive of the Year by Columbus Business First, and a Future 50 Member by Columbus CEO.

Learn more about Heartland Ventures: www.heartlandvc.com

Connect with Max on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxbrickman/

84. Inspiring Ohio's next generation of innovators with Katie Comer

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we welcome Katie Comer, Head of Community Development for North America at Meta.

Meta, formerly known as the Facebook Company, is the parent company of the apps you know and love−Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Workplace, Messenger, and Quest.

During our conversation with Katie, we discuss Meta's passion for Ohio, why their company is committed to helping build Ohio's tech workforce, and the tremendous impact Data Centers have on communities across the world.

In Katie's role, she manages the Community Development team within 17 Meta global data center locations in North America. Her team is responsible for community relations, government affairs, and corporate social responsibility initiatives within these data center communities.

Through Meta platforms and products, she and her team give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. Data Centers, and the tens of thousands of servers installed in them, are the foundation upon how the company rapidly scales their infrastructure to operate Meta’s innovative and growing technology.

Prior to joining Meta, Katie served as the Director of Development and Interim Chief Development Officer for the American Red Cross. Before joining the nonprofit sector, she worked for News Corporation in account management and sales. Katie worked with companies such as Coca-Cola, Disney Sports, P&G, and Rubbermaid to implement in store, print, and digital marketing sales.

Katie is a graduate of the University of Georgia and has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University.

Katie is a member of Leadership Atlanta, Georgia 4-H Advisory Board, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Huntsville Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Walton County Chamber of Commerce Board. She resides in Atlanta with her husband.

For more information on Meta and their impact on Ohio, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/NewAlbanyDataCenter/

86. The amazing community behind Central Ohio's tech growth with Angelo Mazzocco

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Angelo Mazzocco is Vice President of Advisory Services at AVAAP. AVAAP is an industry-focused technology management and advisory services partner known for delivering strategic technology solutions and exceptional customer experiences.

In this episode, we spoke with Angelo about the amazing community behind Central Ohio's tech growth, some of the keys that have led to innovation success in Columbus, and why tech collaboration is vital during times of challenge.

Prior to AVAAP, Angelo was President of 3SG Plus, the Chief Information Officer of Central Ohio Primary Care, President of Pillar Technology Group, Chief Information Officer of Progressive Medical, the vice president and chief information officer of The Dispatch Printing Company and Affiliates, held significant roles with Andersen Consulting (now called Accenture), NCGroup/CompuCom, Nationwide Insurance, and NCR.

He has served as an adjunct faculty member of the Ohio State University and Otterbein University.

Angelo served on the Boards of Gladden Community Settlement House, American Heart Association, Quick Solutions, Navigator Management Partners, GroundWork group, Pillar, and Technology Advisory Board of OCLC.

Angelo and his teams have been the recipient of awards including Technology Innovation Team and Service Provider of the Year, Executive of the Year, Large Technology Team of the Year, Technology Service Provider of the Year, ComSpark Tech Power Award, Information Week 500 Technology Innovation, ComputerWorld 100 Best Places to Work in IT, CIO100 finalist, GroundWork Group Volunteer of the Year, and Ohio Cancer Research Associates Honoree.

To learn more about AVAAP, please visit: https://avaap.com/

Connect with Angelo on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelomazzocco/

85. West Coast innovation meets Rust Belt work ethic with Steve Cross

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Steve Cross is the Founder and Creative Director of iSynergy, an integrated digital marketing agency with a laser focus on maximizing ROI for clients.

In this conversation we spoke with Steve about the inspiration to leave a "safe" job and create his own business, why he's so focused on team culture, and his passion for West Coast Innovation with a Rust Belt work ethic.

iSynergy, based in Canfield, is an industry leader in programmatic advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), social advertising, search engine marketing (PPC), inbound marketing and growth strategy development. They focus on building scalable, efficient campaigns that deliver results for clients globally.

Steve is a proud graduate of Baldwin Wallace University and is on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley.

For more information on iSynergy, please visit: https://isynergy.io/

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cross-digital-marketing/

83. Ohio's tech opportunity with Lt. Governor Jon Husted

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Right now, Ohio is in the midst of a generational opportunity with the growth and development of our tech economy.

For this special Built in Ohio Podcast, we welcomed Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted. This episode was built and released for our annual #OhioTechDay celebration.

Held annually on the final Friday in September, #OhioTechDay celebrates and promotes tech in Ohio and inspires students to consider innovation careers.

In this episode, we talk with Lt. Governor Husted on his work with the State of Ohio, how exciting technologies like AI will impact Ohio, and how we can build a strong innovation workforce.

From big companies choosing Ohio like Intel, Meta, and Google, to growing startups, it seems like every week there's exciting news happening in the Buckeye State.

For more information on Lt. Governor Husted, please visit https://governor.ohio.gov/administration/lt-governor

For more information on #OhioTechDay, please visit https://www.ohiotechday.org/

81. Kristy Campbell on helping entrepreneurs build great companies

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0400

Kristy Campbell is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Rev1 Ventures.

In this episode, we talk with Kirsty about the Columbus tech scene, how Rev1 Ventures helps entrepreneurs build great companies, and inclusion in the startup ecosystem.

Kristy leads operations for Columbus-based Rev1 Ventures, providing strategic services and capital to help startups scale and corporates innovate. She supports cross-team delivery of client services – including talent programs, corporate partnerships, infrastructure (via Rev1 Labs’ innovation center), and access to investment capital.

Prior to joining Rev1, Kristy spent her career working within multiple high-growth, venture-backed startups, helping to build their brands, organize effective teams, grow revenue and scale. She held leadership positions at Manta Media – where she helped to grow the company into one of the largest, most trafficked websites in the U.S. – and Saama Technologies, a global leader in Big Data and analytics.

Kristy serves on the advisory board for SureImpact, a cloud-based software platform that allows mission-driven organizations to manage, measure and communicate their unique social impact, and for non-profits entrepreneur support organization Cultivate SMB.

She holds a BS in Journalism from Ohio University and an MBA from Ashland University. Kristy is a frequent speaker on startup, marketing and inclusion best practices and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Axios, Venture Beat, Yahoo, and other top entrepreneur media outlets.

To learn more about Rev1 Ventures, please visit: https://www.rev1ventures.com/

To learn more about Kristy's work and connect with her, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/campbellkristy/

80. Dennis Andersh on solving critical challenges for the Nation's security and prosperity

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0400

Dennis Andersh is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Parallax Advanced Research Corporation.

In this episode we talk with Dennis about solving critical challenges for the Nation's security and prosperity, Parallax's unique model, and their important work linking academia, industry and government research and development programs.

Parallax Advanced Research is a Dayton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute. They solve critical challenges for the Nation's security and prosperity and do this by focusing on creating impact by accelerating investments in the U.S. science and technology enterprise.

Their research is aimed at solving critical state- and federal-level challenges at the intersection of government, industry, and academia using the Triple Helix Model of Innovation. This model combines resources, competencies, and perspectives from different sectors (academia, industry, and the government) to drive innovation and new creative solutions; anchors and cultivates innovation ecosystems within a region; engages in boundary-spanning activities and encourages collaboration within and between these three sectors.

Dennis joined Parallax’s predecessor, the Wright State Research Institute in December 2013 as the Chief Operating Officer and was named Chief Executive Officer of the Wright State Applied Research Corporation within six months of joining the organization, and in 2015 he added the title Executive Director, Wright State Research Institute. 

In October 2020, transitioned to Parallax Advanced Research, an independent non-profit research organization focused on linking academia, industry and the government research and development programs. Dennis is the co-lead with Ohio State for the Ohio Federal Research Network that is being developed state-wide to focus academic research to better support Wright Patterson, NASA Glenn as well as other Federal and State Institutions state-wide.       

With more than 20 years of documented leadership, management, and technical innovative successes, Dennis's expertise lies in basic research, laboratory research and development, system concept development, system and platform development, and the fielding of air, ground and space mission critical systems. He is highly respected for building collaborative partnerships of academia, industry, government, commercial, congressional, and local entities to create strategic growth across multiple new markets in the federal, state, and local government. 

Before coming to Parallax, Dennis held several leadership positions at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). He led the Dayton region as Senior Vice President where he was responsible for SAIC’s business with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Springfield Air National Guard, and the Dayton region. In this role, he increased revenue at the Dayton operation by 20 percent year-over-year and grew the employee base from 235 to 450. His other previous SAIC roles included reconnaissance and surveillance operation Senior Vice President in Arlington, Va., and Vice President and Associate Operations Manager in Champaign Illinois. 

Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He is also an accomplished researcher, winning multiple awards from the Air Force when he directed radar research programs for the Air Force Research Laboratory. In his spare time, Dennis has been a major supporter of STEM programs throughout the Dayton region.

To learn more about Parallax, please visit: https://parallaxresearch.org/

To learn more about Dennis, please connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-andersh-8913281/

79. Lindsay Watson on the idea that took her from physical therapist to startup founder

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Lindsay Watson is the co-founder and CEO of Augment Therapy. In this episode we talk about Lindsay's journal going from physical therapist to startup founder.

With a career as a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics for nearly 20 years, Lindsay is now a tech entrepreneur with a passion to drive change in the rehab industry by integrating innovative augmented reality technology into treatment.

Taking her expertise and industry experience, she is now the co-founder and CEO of Augment Therapy Inc, a company which combines the best of augmented reality, Telehealth, and remote monitoring to improve the delivery of physical therapy. She has led her company to win many awards, participate in multiple tech accelerators, and receive recognition such as “Most Promising Startup” and “A Company to Watch,” by Inc. Magazine.

In 2019, she was named one of Cleveland’s Notable Women of Technology. She is passionate about driving change in the healthcare and physical therapy industry by automating more precise data collection, making therapy more widely accessible, and better engaging for today’s tech savvy patients.

Learn more about Augment Therapy here: https://augmenttherapy.com/

Learn more about Lindsay and connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-watson-pt-mpt-68103a134/

78. Denise Bartick on building Ohio's tech workforce

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Denise Bartick is the President and CEO of MAX Technical Training. In this episode, we talk with Denise about one of the largest issues facing tech companies today: tech talent.

MAX, based in Mason, was created by Denise in 1998 and provides corporate and individual IT training. They recently celebrated their 25th anniversary in business.

Denise and Chris dive into the evolution of tech talent needs by companies over the last 25 years, how smart businesses stay ahead of the ever changing landscape, and the resources available to help re-skill and up-skill Ohioans.

To learn more about Denise and connect, please visit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-bartick-3845ab/

For more information on MAX, please visit: https://maxtrain.com/

82. Ray Leach on the billion dollar economic impact of startups and entrepreneurs

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Ray Leach is CEO of Cleveland-based JumpStart. In this episode, we talk with Ray about the economic impact of startups and entrepreneurs, the growing work their team is doing, and creating equitable opportunities.

JumpStart is a nonprofit venture development organization providing capital, services and connections to help entrepreneurs grow, researchers commercialize and corporations innovate. Their mission is to unlock the full potential of entrepreneurship to transform entire communities.

Ray is the founding CEO of JumpStart and through his leadership the organization has gained a national best-in-class reputation for its innovative economic development models and its ability to leverage its experience and expertise across the U.S.

Ray is considered a national thought and practice leader at the intersection of public, private, and philanthropic partnerships accelerating private-sector investment capital, job creation, and increasing inclusive economic outcomes in neighborhoods, cities, states, and regions.

Ray was a Sloan Fellow and a graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management and the University of Akron. He began his career at IBM and went on to co-found four startups. Ray was a founding member of the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE) and currently serves on the for-profit boards of Axuall, Smithers, and Signet LLC.

To learn more about JumpStart, please visit: https://www.jumpstartinc.org/

To learn more about JumpStart's work and economic impact, please visit: https://issuu.com/jumpstartinc./docs/2022_abridged_ei_report_final?fr=sNmMxYjUxNDA1NTQ

To follow along with Ray's work and to connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raytleach/

77. Michael Caralis on delivering emerging technologies to customers

Wed, 17 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Michael Caralis is Vice President of Business Markets at Verizon Business and in this episode of Built in Ohio we're talking delivering emerging technologies to customers, the keys to successful products, and how a background in small business has helped build a career in one of the largest companies in the world.

As Vice President of Verizon Business Markets, Michael leads three critical business units for small and midsize business customers: network as a service (NaaS), Fios for Business and their channel program. His team of 1,200+ professionals partner with customers on their digital transformation journeys, providing innovative managed solutions for total communications, connectivity, collaboration and security.

Their customer-centric organization delivers 5G technologies, fiber, ethernet, security solutions, and unified communications solutions such as BlueJeans conferencing, One Talk (voiceover IP solution) and Microsoft Teams. As businesses across all segments and industries anticipate a post-pandemic comeback, they are looking to adopt 5G and its potential to create new opportunities and build new efficiencies and scale their businesses. Verizon's team also provides Fios for Business, business digital voice, and easy to deploy and use set of security and collaboration products.

Michael thrives on solving the most complex business problems in today’s data-rich and tech-heavy environment while leading groundbreaking transformations and aligning large-team operations to the strategic vision.

He strive to be the most objective voice in a room and believe in authentic leadership.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-caralis-62ba1a4/

76. Dr. Erandi De Silva on the superpowers of gene therapy

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 01:00:00 -0500

Erandi De Silva, Ph.D. is Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Product Development at Forge Biologics. In this episode, we talk with Erandi about her journey to Ohio, building a BioTech outside of traditional life science hubs, increasing opportunities for girls and women in STEM, and more.

Dr. De Silva is an experienced scientist and entrepreneur with over 10 years in discovery research, therapeutic development, and partnering across oncology, infectious diseases, and gene therapy.

Prior to founding Forge, Dr. De Silva held leadership roles in both academic and industry settings. She's been named 2022 40 under 40 by Columbus Business First and 2022's Fiercest Women in Life Sciences by Fierce Pharma.

Dr. De Silva earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Princeton University and her B.S., with honors, from Stanford University.

Connect with Dr. De Silva on LinkedIn.

For more information on Forge, please visit: www.forgebiologics.com

75. JP Nauseef on Ohio's generational opportunity

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 01:00:00 -0500

In this episode we welcome JP Nauseef, President and CEO of JobsOhio.

JP is a former U.S. Air Force officer with 30 years of experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors with a longstanding passion for and focus on technology, innovation, and economic development.

Prior to joining JobsOhio in March 2019, he was the chairman and co-founder of Krush Media, a full-service digital advertising, media, and data company. He has also served as president and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition.

At JobsOhio, the state’s private nonprofit economic development arm, JP works with energetic and smart professionals who have one goal in mind: drive job creation and new capital investment. His team is responsible for making sure Ohio remains a leader and economic engine for the region.

As you hear about successes like Intel in Ohio, it's JP and his team leading the way.

In our conversation we talk about Ohio's "generational opportunity", the 10 Ohio sectors that JobsOhio is focused on to build industrial diversity, what it takes to welcome new industries to Ohio, and a ton more.

Connect with JP on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter.

Learn more about JobsOhio at www.jobsohio.com.

74. The spark that launched Ohio tech with Meta and the City of New Albany

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 01:00:00 -0500

In this episode we have not one but two leaders joining us to share a special story. Our guests are Brad Davis, Meta's Director of Data Center Economic Development, and Jennifer Chrysler, the City of New Albany's Director of Community Development.

The "Silicon Heartland" has been in the news all year but there was one spark that really started Ohio's tech momentum. That's Meta coming to Ohio.

In 2017, Meta, then known as Facebook, broke group on their New Albany Data Center and it came online in 2020.

The Data Center site is over $1 billion in investments by Meta, it's supported by 100% renewable energy, and it has created hundreds of jobs... which includes Meta's tech employees to construction workers.

We're excited for this episode and to be joined by two of the projects team leaders: Brad from Meta and Jennifer from the City of New Albany.

73. Ed McQuiston on winning culture, Cleveland's tech comeback, and seizing opportunity

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Ed McQuiston is Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Hyland. In this episode we talk winning culture, Cleveland's tech comeback, and seizing innovation opportunity.

Ed first joined Hyland in 2001 and has had roles such as Director of Healthcare Solutions (where he founded Hyland’s first vertical practice), Vice President of Global Sales, Senior Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, and in 2017, Ed became Hyland’s Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer.

Ed also serves on multiple non-profit boards in his passion areas of healthcare and education.

About Hyland: Headquartered in Westlake, Hyland is a leading content services provider with a range of cloud-based technologies, solutions and services. They enable thousands of organizations to deliver better experiences to the people they serve. Hyland’s customers use Hyland solutions to navigate the complex digital ecosystem that is essential for any thriving, modern organization.

Connect with Ed on LinkedIn.

For more information on Hyland, please visit: www.hyland.com

72. The power and potential of artificial intelligence with Cal Al-Dhubaib and Matt Schaefer

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Built in Ohio Podcast, we talk about the power and potential of artificial intelligence with Cal Al-Dhubaib of Pandata and Matt Schaefer of H2O.

Cal is the Founder and CEO of Pandata, an award winning firm that empowers organizations to use Artificial Intelligence competitively. They are data science thought leaders and help organizations solve and simplify complex business challenges. And they pride themselves on delivering solutions that are approachable and ethical.

Matt is a Sr. Strategic Account Executive with H2O.ai, the leading AI cloud company, on a mission to democratize AI for everyone. Customers use the H2O AI Hybrid Cloud platform to rapidly make, operate and innovate to solve complex business problems and accelerate the discovery of new ideas.

To learn more about Pandata, please visit: https://pandata.co/

Connect with Cal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhubaib/

To learn more about H2O, please visit: https://h2o.ai/

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-schaefer-b785015/

71. Dr. Timothy J. Miller on building Ohio's biotech hub and manufacturing gene therapies for life

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Dr. Timothy J. Miller is CEO, President and Co-Founder of Forge Biologics, Inc., a VC-backed gene therapy development engine focused on accelerating access to potentially life-saving (AAV) gene therapies. In this podcast, we talk with Dr. Miller about building Ohio's biotech hub and Forge's work in manufacturing gene therapies for life.

Dr. Miller was previously founding CEO & President of Abeona Therapeutics, a rare disease NASDAQ gene and cell therapy company. He's a proven biotech leader with experience in driving gene therapy pipeline development, regulatory strategy, investor relations, M&A activities, in-licensing, GMP manufacturing, clinical development and leading stakeholder and shareholder engagement.

Dr. Miller has over 20+ years of business development, scientific research, product development and clinical operations expertise, with a focus on transitioning novel gene and cell therapies through pre-clinical and human clinical trials.

He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Science (M.S.) from John Carroll University. Dr. Miller is an avid patient-centric drug developer and entrepreneur.

For more information on Forge Biologics, please visit: www.forgebiologics.com

To learn about career opportunities with Forge, please visit: www.forgebiologics.com/careers/

And in 2021, Forge Biologics launched its Forge Ahead campaign to deliberately expand its impact by committing to raise awareness and support for people and families living with rare diseases. Learn more about this work (which includes pictures and video of the team climbing Mt. Adams!): https://insights.forgebiologics.com/forge-ahead-launches-with-support-for-be-the-match-and-hope-on-a-summit

70. Ryan Frederick on the hype and realities of new technologies

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:00:00 -0400

Ryan Frederick is a Principal at AWH, a technology consulting firm that helps companies grow by leveraging technology. In this podcast, we talk with Ryan about how the Columbus tech community got built, what makes a strong tech ecosystem, and the hype and realities of new technologies.

Ryan is a Founder and product person at heart. He's had the privilege of being part of starting and growing several software and service companies. Ryan has helped companies grow from inception, to viability, through to sustainability. During the evolution of these companies, Ryan has served on company boards and been instrumental in capitalization activities. He has also helped companies to expand to international markets.

Combining a unique blend of business acumen and technical knowledge having originally been a developer who migrated to the business side, Ryan now helps companies build great software products and solve data challenges for competitive advantage as a Principal at the product and data consulting firm, AWH.

He's an active angel investor, mentors and advises entrepreneurs and startups, as well as corporate innovation leaders. Ryan launched a non-profit workforce development program to train under-employed adults on digital skills called i.c.stars. He's authored a book on increasing the odds of success in creating products, being a Founder, and starting companies called The Founder’s Manual: A Guidebook for Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur. Ryan speaks frequently about the product, Founder, and startup journeys.

Learn more about AWH: www.awh.net

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryangfrederick

Ohio Tech Report w/ Nicole Paolozzi of OndeCare

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0500

This week's Ohio Tech Report welcomes Nicole Paolozzi, Founder and CEO of OndeCare.

Chris and Nicole are talking some of the biggest Ohio tech stories this week, including...

1️⃣ Canton-based Society Brands raises $204 million

2️⃣ Richfield company orthobrain closes $9 million Series A funding round

3️⃣ The HOMAGE/OhioX "Silicon Heartland" shirts are out and looking great!

The Ohio Tech Report is presented by Zendesk. Visit www.zendesk.com to learn more!

Want to learn more about Nicole and OndeCare? Visit www.ondecare.com!

69. Dan Snyder on building one of the world's most innovative companies

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0500

Dan Snyder is the co-founder and CEO of Lower, a multi-channel FinTech aimed at helping consumers build wealth through homeownership. In this episode we talk with Dan about his journey starting Lower, raising the largest Series A round in Ohio history, and why doing it in his home state is special.

Dan was named the #4 CEO in the country by Glassdoor in 2021 and his leadership style has led to multiple local and national Best Places to Work awards. Lower also recently joined Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022. The FinTech landed third in the Personal Finance category. This designation comes as the company continues their innovation to help consumers reach their homebuying goals.

Lower is the naming rights partner for the Columbus Crew’s new stadium, Lower.com Field and they also hold the record for largest Series A investment in Ohio history. Dan loves helping his own people grow and uses a promote from within approach to the company.

Learn more about Lower at www.lower.com

Follow Dan on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/snyderdan

68. Liz Engel on covering Cincinnati's tech story

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0500

Liz Engel is a reporter at the Cincinnati Business Courier and leads editorial for its sister site, Cincy Inno, which covers tech and startup news in the region.

In this episode, Liz gives us a run down of Cincinnati's tech ecosystem and insights to where the region is headed. She also shares about her day-to-day work as a journalist and how anyone can work with a reporter on a good story.

Her past work has been featured at Forbes.com, WCPO and Cincy Magazine. She’s a Cincinnati native who made her return to the Queen City in 2014 following stints in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Read her work at www.cincyinno.com

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/liz-engel-00430117/

Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LizCinciBiz

67. Caesar Campbell on the relationships tech creates

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 16:00:00 -0500

Caesar Campbell serves as a North American Data Center Operations Manager at Meta. In this episode we talk about the relationships that tech creates - both in person and virtually.

Building, nurturing, and sustaining so that it brings joy, productivity and a fruitfulness to his every day. He's a father of three and loves snowboarding, golf and mountain biking. And Caesar's hip-hop to his core.

His professional career spans 17 years most of which has been in the infrastructure outsourcing space building teams globally and creating partnerships worldwide. He absolutely loves the work he does at Meta but he loves the people he does it with even more.

Connect with Caesar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caesarc/

66. Jamie Timm on helping the world’s most admired brands on their path to digital leadership

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 08:00:00 -0500

Jamie Timm is the Chief Delivery Officer at WillowTree where she and the team help the world’s most admired brands on their path to digital leadership—from product to process.

In this episode, we talk to Jamie about her path to tech, building a growing company in Columbus, and WillowTree's work with iconic brands.

Jamie has over a decade of experience leading software delivery teams at digital agencies. She brings deep expertise in aligning people and business strategies to client engagements, as well as exemplary servant leadership to both the internal teams she manages and her external stakeholders.

Jamie is particularly passionate about the opportunities for digital products to improve customer experiences in both highly-regulated mature and hyper-growth industries.

Jamie holds a degree in Communications & Public Relations from Ohio Northern University and has previously held leadership roles in communications at the Columbus Chamber and Columbus Region Economic Development Group.

Founded in 2008 as a pioneering mobile app development company, WillowTree has grown into a full-service digital product consultancy, helping their clients anywhere humans and technology intersect. Their teams provide end-to-end, full-stack development, strategy, design, and growth marketing services. Select clients include Domino’s, HBO, FOX, National Geographic, Synchrony Financial, PepsiCo and ABInBev.

Visit www.willowtreeapps.com for more information.

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jamietimm

65. Nicole Ponstingle McCaffrey and Crystal M. Franklin on creating STEM opportunities for girls

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we talk with Nicole Ponstingle McCaffrey and Crystal M. Franklin about inspiring girls to consider STEM careers. The conversation is centered around the American Heart Associations' STEM Goes Red for Girls event.

This episode was recorded in August as the original date of STEM Goes Red for Girls was the fall. Due to Covid-19, the event was rescheduled for March 11th.

For more information on STEM Goes Red and the event, please visit: https://ahacleveland.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/20212022ClevelandSTEMGoesRed/tabid/1241618/Default.aspx

About Nicole Ponstingle McCaffrey
Nicole is a 20+ year marketing and business development veteran with a career that spans local and global brands. As the COO of Pandata, Nicole crafts and stewards the brand and provides the strategy for the marketing blueprint. By extension, she is Pandata’s resident AI Translator, bringing approachability to AI. She also shapes and champions company culture, team growth, and talent pipeline.

She fulfills her avocation in tech and diversity-focused workforce development by serving as an OhioX Workforce Development committee member and the 2021 chair for the American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red for Girls event.

About Crystal M. Franklin
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, I have a first-hand. understanding for the students that attend schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and issues surrounding access to equitable education. As a
result, I have developed a passion for working with students and families to break through barriers and factors that lead to marginalization. Prior to my position as a Director of CSforCLE, I taught high school science at an American School in Pinghu, China, and worked as a Teacher-Trainer for the Peace Corps Response, in New Amsterdam, Guyana. With a background in STEM, which includes a career in clinical and academic research, teaching, and program evaluation, it was only natural that I landed at Cleveland State and became a part of CSforCLE. My goal is to push our vision of Computer Science in every school, and that every student has an opportunity to engage in.

64. Dr. Ayanna Howard on building the next generation of builders

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Accomplished roboticist, entrepreneur and educator Dr. Ayanna Howard became dean of The Ohio State University College of Engineering in March 2021.

In this episode we talk with Dr. Howard about her work at Ohio State building the next generation of builders, the relationship between industry and academia in innovation, and creating tech opportunities for all students.

Previously she was chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Interactive Computing, as well as founder and director of the Human-Automation Systems Lab (HumAnS for short).

Her career spans higher education, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the private sector. Dr. Howard is the founder of Zyrobotics, a Georgia Tech spin-off company that develops mobile therapy and educational products for children with special needs. Its products are based on Dr. Howard’s research.

Among many accolades, Forbes named Dr. Howard to its America's Top 50 Women In Tech list. In May 2021, the Association for Computing Machinery named her the ACM Athena Lecturer in recognition of fundamental contributions to the development of accessible human-robotic systems and artificial intelligence, along with forging new paths to broaden participation in computing.

Connect with Dean Howard on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ayanna-howard/

Learn more about Ohio State's College of Engineering: www.engineering.osu.edu

63. Warner Moore on Columbus's tech growth and future opportunities

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0500

Warner Moore is a strategic executive leader and manager with a background in technology and information security. In this episode we talk with Warner about Columbus's tech growth, future opportunities for tech in Ohio, and the cybersecurity landscape.

He has focused his career in working with entrepreneurial growth organizations where technology is their business and product. Within these organizations, Warner has an accomplished record of building successful cybersecurity programs and high performing teams who embrace DevOps culture and practices.

As an international speaker, Warner has been invited to present to university students, technology professionals, and business leaders in a classroom setting as well as at conferences such as Startup Week, CloudDevelop, Path to Agility, InfoSec Summit, CodeMash, Security BSides, DevOpsDays, and Abstractions.

Warner is passionate about culture, innovation, and community. His commitment to these values is demonstrated though his work leading organizations such as Ohio LinuxFest, LOPSA, and Toastmasters. The culmination of this work is the founding of Tech Community Coalition in 2016, a non-profit organization whose mission is to enable the greater tech community.

After building security and privacy capabilities for numerous organizations across industries at companies such as CoverMyMeds and Bold Penguin, Warner founded the cybersecurity strategy firm Gamma Force. Through Gamma Force, Warner serves as a virtual CISO for clients that include Deep Lens and Smart Columbus and advises startups to scale them through concept and growth phases.

Learn more about Gamma Force: www.gammaforce.io

Connect with Warner on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/warnermoore

62. Alison Sathe on Ohio's MedTech and BioTech opportunities

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0500

Alison Sathe is the Cincinnati-based Founder of not one but two companies in the MedTech space.

Alison founded Regulatory Mark and ClearMark to provide best in class regulatory consulting and electronic QMS solutions for medical devices to her domestic and international partners.

In this episode, we talk with Alison about Ohio's MedTech and BioTech opportunity, the path that led her to building two companies, and more.

As a biomedical engineer, Alison began her career working in medical device startups and has specialized in regulatory and quality affairs for over 15 years.

Previously an executive team member overseeing Regulatory and Quality Affairs for companies with domestic and international registrations, Alison has managed teams and been regulatory lead for multiple product lines from concept and strategy through product release including early regulatory body interactions, regulatory submissions, and product clearance/approvals.

Learn more about Regulatory Mark: www.regulatorymark.com

Learn more about ClearMark: www.clearmarkqms.com

Connect with Alison on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alisonsathe

61. Steve Lekas on righting the wrongs of the insurance industry with innovation

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Steve Lekas is the co-founder and CEO of Columbus-based Branch Insurance. In this episode we talk with Steve about the moment that led to going all-in with Branch, building an InsurTech in Columbus, and why he's excited to be doing it here in Ohio.

Steve got his start in insurance at Allstate to put himself through school at Kent State. A decade later he went on to build the first-ever online home insurance business at Esurance.

After 18 years in the industry, Steve became increasingly frustrated with how broken insurance had become with lengthy processes and rising costs. Chasing down his entrepreneurial calling, Steve set out to right the wrongs of the industry by creating insurance that’s quick, easy, affordable, and built to do good.

In August 2019, Branch Insurance launched the quickest way to bundle home and auto insurance online and is now expanding nationally. To learn more about Steve and Branch Insurance, head to OurBranch.com.

60. Dana Allender on building Ohio's AI ecosystem

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Dana Allender is a life-long resident of Northeast Ohio and the Founder of SUN he works with emerging technology startups and small businesses to build “revenue roadmaps” to create scalable, sustainable growth.

In this episode we talk to Dana about his passion for building Cleveland's tech ecosystem, the role AI and AI companies can play in this growth, and revenue journeys for tech companies.

Active in a number of civic and nonprofit organizations, he has served on the Alumni Board of Trustees at Walsh University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business and is a Past President of the Kent State University (Stark Campus) Alumni Association. He’s a mentor in the startup community as well, working with JumpStart and previously with cohorts of the Bounce Innovation Hub and Fintech71. Most importantly, he is a current member of OhioX, serving on the New Ventures and Technology Committee.

Connect with Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-allender-88aaba/

Learn more about Dana's work at SUN: www.sungrowsyou.com

59. Melissa Cutcher on leadership and the Dayton tech ecosystem

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Melissa Cutcher is the Executive Director at Technology First, a trade association for IT professionals and technology companies in the Dayton region. In this podcast, we talk with Melissa about leading during challenging times and get the lowdown on Dayton's tech ecosystem.

Melissa has a Bachelor’s degree in organization management and Master’s degree in business administration with a focus on organization leadership. Melissa is active in the Miami Valley and is a contributing member to many groups and organizations in the area. Melissa is a learner and loves reading, building connections, boating, spending time with her daughter Ashley, husband Jeff, and dogs Bailey and Cooper.

For more information on Technology First, please visit: www.technologyfirst.org

Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melissacutcher

58. Tim Porter on security at startups and young companies

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 11:00:00 -0400

Tim Porter is a Manager within Pease & Associates Risk Advisory Services and in our latest podcast episode we talk security at startups and young companies.

Tim has dedicated his entire career to Risk Advisory Services where he provides clients with auditory reports that focus on an organization’s internal controls. Tim specializes in advising businesses on how to leverage their controls to generate efficiencies and maintain compliance with regulatory and audit requirements. As a Manager in the Risk Advisory Services Group, Tim focuses on providing tailored solutions and recommendations to service organizations.

Tim has worked extensively with clients located around the world and ranging from pre revenue start-ups to over $5 billion in annual revenue. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Common Security Framework Practitioner (CCSFP), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), he understands how to audit many types of systems and operations. Tim leverages his interest in technology and process automation to achieve this in the most efficient way possible. Tim has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a co-major in Business Analytics from Miami University.

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-porter-cpa-ccsfp-cisa-32360b7b/

Learn more about the work at Pease CPAs: www.peasecpa.com

57. Steven Muszynski on FinTech opportunities and scaling companies

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Steven Muszynski is the Founder and CEO of Splash Financial, a Cleveland-based leading digital lending platform that helps borrowers easily shop and compare financial products from a Splash-powered network of credit union and bank partners. In this episode, we talk with Steven about building a FinTech company in Cleveland, business pivots, and scaling a company.

Recently named among the top 250 private FinTech companies in the world by CB Insights, Splash’s unique hybrid marketplace model and automated underwriting platform has helped the average person refinancing their student loans save thousands.

For more information on Splash, please visit: www.splashfinancial.com

To see career opportunities at Splash, please visit: https://jobs.lever.co/splashfinancial

Connect with Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-muszynski-16341b2b/

56. Tracy Ruberg on aligning strategic business objectives with digital transformation initiatives

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Tracy Ruberg is the Founder/President of T6 Group and Executive Director of The Circuit, a non-profit IT association in Southwest Ohio. In this episode, we talk with Tracy about aligning strategic business objectives with digital transformation initiatives, the tech ecosystem in Southwest Ohio, and creating tech education opportunities.

Throughout her career, Tracy has had the opportunity to work for organizations including E&Y, HP, Dell, EMC, CBTS and others. Tracy loves working with clients and uses her ability to “stand in the shoes” of the client’s employees at all levels to deliver solid results. She believes in gaining clarity on the end result, and that project success hinges on continuous, strategic, and transparent company-wide communication.

When she is not busy working, she can be found doing activities with her family, reading, or planning the next beach vacation. Tracy has a Quantitative Business Analysis and Marketing degree from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Learn more about The Circuit: www.thecircuit.net

Learn more about T6 Group: www.t6-group.com

Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tracyruberg

55. Rob Moyer on solving tech talent challenges

Wed, 19 May 2021 13:00:00 -0400

Rob Moyer is the Co-Founder and President of Agility Partners, LLC an IT recruiting and consulting company headquartered in Columbus. In this episode, we talk with Rob about his path to tech, building a new business, and taking risk for greater upside.

Founded in 2017 in his spare bedroom, Rob (and his partner Alan) self-funded AP and immediately began to disrupt the industry by building a greenfield, referral-based technology platform called Connect. In 2020, Agility Partners formally stood up its automation consulting division, Impower.ai. Over those four years, AP has grown to 100+ employees in several states and has been recognized by the community and the industry for their innovation, diversity, and culture.

Rob lives in Grandview Heights, is a member of the Information Systems Advisory Board at Ohio University where he graduated, and is intimately involved in the tech community in Columbus and beyond. In his free time, Rob invests, travels, acts like he golfs, and enjoys a stiff, smoked Old Fashioned at No Soliciting.

Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robmoyer/

For more information on Agility Partners, please visit: https://agilitypartners.io/

54. Alex Frommeyer on disruption and Ohio's opportunity

Wed, 12 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Alex Frommeyer is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Beam Dental. In this episode we talk with Fro about disrupting the dental insurance industry, the golden age for building tech in the midwest, and why Ohio became home.

Beam Dental is a digital-first dental benefits provider that incorporates dental hygiene behavior into policy pricing, combining an easy-to-use online insurance platform, AI-powered underwriting, and the connected Beam Toothbrush for better overall wellness.

Beam has raised over $160 million in venture capital funding and is the only digital-first company within the $75 billion dental insurance industry. Beam also offers vision insurance and group term life coverage for employers of all sizes. Beam is available in 41 states around the U.S. and is accepted at over 400,000 access points nationwide.

Fro has done an amazing job driving Beam’s continued success and expansion, and has also led the organization through multiple capital raises, most recently a Series E of $80M.

Follow Fro on Twitter: @AlexFrommeyer

Learn more about Beam Dental: www.beam.dental

53. Cal Al-Dhubaib on ethical AI and growing Ohio's data science industry

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Cal Al-Dhubaib is the CEO of Pandata and in this episode we talk with Cal about ethical AI and how we can grow Ohio's data science industry.

Pandata designs and develops human-centered AI and ML solutions. Their deep expertise in human behavior is why they shine at working with innovative teams, including navigating the complexities of regulated and protected data sources to mitigate risk and protect the most priceless asset they own – their reputation.

Cal is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and professional speaker on AI. He founded Pandata on the core values of "Approachability and Ethics". Empowering organizations to design and develop AI solutions that grow their bottom line, Pandata has overseen 80+ transformative projects with leading global brands including Parker Hannifin, the Cleveland Museum of Art, FirstEnergy, and Penn State University.

Cal is especially passionate about the ethics of AI and how organizations can orchestrate the right talent to support AI initiatives. Cal has been recognized as a Notable Immigrant Entrepreneur, Crain's Cleveland 20 in their 20s, and two-time Cleveland Smart 50 recipient. In addition to becoming the first data science graduate from Case Western Reserve University, Cal is also known for his role in advocating for careers and educational pathways in Data Science through workforce development initiatives.

Connect with Cal on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dhubaib

Learn more about Pandata: www.pandata.co

52. Max Brickman on connecting midwest industries with Silicon Valley

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Max Brickman is the Managing Director of Heartland Ventures, a venture capital firm that connects high-growth startups with new customers in the Midwest. In this episode we talk with Max about why he brought his Venture firm to Ohio, the opportunities that come from connecting Midwest industries and leading tech companies, and scaling businesses.

Max is a forward-thinking venture capitalist with a passion for expanding technological innovation into smaller, underrepresented Heartland communities. In line with this passion and commitment, Max founded Heartland Ventures to enhance Silicon Valley startups’ access to this market.

With offices in San Francisco, Ohio, and Indiana, Heartland Ventures connects coastal startups to their largest customers within the recently flourishing and often overlooked Heartland market. Max serves on several regional boards designed to increase per capita income and entrepreneurial activity.

Learn more about Heartland Ventures: www.heartlandvc.com

51. Chris Berry on growing businesses while keeping focus

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Chris Berry is the CEO and Founder of Echelle Resources, Inc., and a board member of Per Scholas. In this podcast, we talk with Chris about growing businesses while keeping mission focus, how a napkin led to a new company, and breaking down the digital divide.

Chris has spent the last two years growing Echelle Resources into a competitive information technology company with automotive and telemedicine lines of business. Before founding Echelle Resources, Chris spent time in central Ohio as a Solution Architect. He resides in the central Ohio area with his family.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisberry

For more information on Echelle Resources, Inc., please visit: www.echelleresources.com

50. Shawn Leitner on product management and building communities

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Shawn Leitner is Vice President and Senior Product Manager at KeyBank, and Chief Technology Officer at Sway Mobility. In this podcast, we talk with Shawn about the growing role of product management and how he built a community of product managers in Northeast Ohio.

Shawn has spent two decades building products, being innovative, and solving problems using technology, working in various tech roles in both the public sector and private sector. He is also an avid networker, creating the Cleveland Product networking group in 2017 to support Cleveland's Product community.

Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shawnleitner

Learn more about Sway Mobility: www.swaymobility.com

49. Jeffrey Stern on moving to Cleveland to start a tech career and the city's growing startup community

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Jeffrey Stern is a co-founder and product manager at Axuall, a venture-backed company in Cleveland, and is also the host of the Lay of The Land Podcast which tells the stories of entrepreneurship in Cleveland. In this podcast, we talk with Jeffrey about his decision to move to Cleveland in order to start a tech career and the catalyst for launching his podcast.

At Axuall, Jeffrey and his team are focused on streamlining the sharing of verified digital credentials between clinicians and healthcare organizations to eliminate onboarding delays while empowering clinicians with ownership of their own data.

Prior to Axuall, Jeffrey was the first employee at Votem, working to restore and bolster trust, access, and transparency in elections with a core focus on developing secure and verifiable voting systems. Jeffrey is also an alumni of Venture for America.

Connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern

Learn about Axuall: www.axuall.com

More on Lay of the Land: https://upside.fm/shows/lay-of-the-land/

48. Dr. Joseph Shields on how Ohio universities power innovation

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Dr. Joseph Shields is Vice President for Research and Creative Activity, Dean of the Graduate College, and Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Ohio University. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Shields about the potential, power and payoff of University-Industry collaborations across Ohio.

Among his many duties, Dr. Shields oversees technology transfer and economic development activities supported by the Innovation Center, an award-winning on-campus business incubator for technology startup companies. He also led implementation of a successful multi-million-dollar internal program of tiered funding to incentivize and grow interdisciplinary partnerships around a broad theme of innovation.

We also discuss the Ohio Innovation Exchange. The OIEx connects businesses and industry with professors, equipment and facilities available at Ohio research universities. By providing access to thousands of faculty and resources from campuses and laboratories across the state, OIEx fosters economic development and intellectual advancement across Ohio and the globe.

OIEx is an initiative of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, developed in collaboration with Ohio universities with industry support from the Ohio Manufacturing Institute.

For more information on Dr. Shields, and his work at Ohio University, visit: https://www.ohio.edu/research/people/shieldj1

For more information on the Ohio University Innovation Center, visit: https://www.ohio.edu/research/innovation

For more information on the Ohio Innovation Exchange, visit: https://www.ohioinnovationexchange.org/

47. Jack Thompson on empowering young entrepreneurs

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0500

Jack Thompson is an 18 year old senior in high school at Toledo School for the Arts and President of StartHuddle, a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower and promote young entrepreneurs in the Greater Toledo region. In this episode we speak with Jack about his experience building businesses as a student and how we can encourage more young entrepreneurs.

Jack has been involved in Toledo's startup scene since he was a child. He and his family started CoderDojo Toledo, a local branch of an international nonprofit that helps kids ages 7-17 learn how to code. In the fall, Jack will be studying computer science at an undecided university and plans to build StartHuddle throughout his undergraduate experience.

For more information on StartHuddle: www.starthuddle.com

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jakkuthompson

46. Catherine Allshouse on scaling technology and becoming a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC)

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Catherine Allshouse is the Global CIO and Head of Cloud Operations at Veeva Systems. In our latest episode of The Future Lab we talk with Catherine about scaling technology, why Veeva recently became a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), and why more businesses should consider following.

Catherine is an industry-leading technology executive with extensive experience in roles spanning the commercial and industrial software business, from strategy through delivery. Her experience includes large and small enterprises in both the commercial and non-profit sectors, and she has led both technology and business operations. She has additional expertise in contract and intellectual property law and has served as liaison with counsel in several leadership positions.

Veeva Systems is a fast-growing enterprise cloud software provider headquartered in Silicon Valley with 2,800 employees and offices around the world (NYSE:VEEV). Catherine also serves as the site leader of Veeva’s second U.S. corporate hub office in Columbus.

Catherine’s early career was spent in Silicon Valley at PeopleSoft, Inc., where she spent 12 years in various executive roles including as a Vice President in the Tools & Technology products organization. She was responsible for product development teams, maintenance development, the global support center, security, and maintaining executive level relationships with PeopleSoft's C-level customer base.

Catherine is a Level 1 Sommelier and a concert pianist that performs regularly with high school instrumentalists.

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/catherineallshouse

For more information on Veeva becoming a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC): www.veeva.com/pbc

***

This epsiode of The Future Lab is brought to you by Ashland University's MBA Program.

The world’s greatest leaders utilize their business acumen to quickly adapt to ever changing market conditions.

Start solving tomorrow's business problems today and create opportunities for all with an MBA degree from Ashland University’s 1 Year Online program.

OhioX members, their spouse, and dependent(s) receive a 10% tuition discount. Learn more at mba.ashland.edu.

45. Stephen White on Innovative Strategies to Bridge the COVID Canyon in Our STEM Educational Landscape

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0500

Stephen White is the Vice President of External Affairs, Strategic Initiatives, and Business Development, and serves as In-House Counsel at the Center for Science and Industry (COSI). In this episode of The Future Lab, we talk with Stephen on Innovative Strategies to bridge the COVID canyon in our STEM educational landscape.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he founded and is the executive lead of the COSI Learning Lunchbox® initiative, a new model of distance learning through community partnerships to provide learning and to bridge the digital divide for underserved youth, in partnership with NASA, U.S. Department of Energy and more.

Stephen is the recipient of several awards, including 40 Under 40, Columbus CEO Future 50, and the John Glenn Young Alumni Achievement Award. He previously served in the U.S. Senate and serves on the International Space Station Subcommittee on Education, State of Ohio STEM Committee, and more.

Find him on Twitter at @StephenWhiteOH.

Connect with him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmauricewhite

***

This episode of The Future Lab is sponsored by Ashland University's MBA Program.

At Ashland, you can gain international business experience and quickly earn your MBA degree, without leaving your home. Ashland’s 1 Year International MBA program is offering a transformational virtual study tour of Estonia and Finland, where students will participate in a consulting project, expand their global network, and experience a new culture.

OhioX members, their spouse, and dependent(s) receive a 10% tuition discount. Learn more at mba.ashland.edu.

44. Steven Hong on bringing to Ohio lessons learned from Silicon Valley

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0500

Steven Hong is the CEO and Co-Founder of Oculii, a radar software company enabling the next generation of autonomous systems. In this episode we talk with Steven about why he returned home to Ohio from Silicon Valley in order to build his startup and the lessons he learned from his time at Stanford and one of the world's best known Venture Capital firms.

Using aperture imaging software that dynamically learns and adapts to the environment, Oculii’s proprietary virtual aperture imaging software increases the resolution of any radar hardware by up to 100x.

Prior to his experience at Oculii, Steven was a partner at Kleiner Perkins where he was a member of the hardtech investing team. Before KP, Steven co-founded Kumu Networks where he was responsible for product management, fundraising, IP strategy, business development, and marketing. Steven started his career as a management/strategy consultant at McKinsey and Uber, where he specialized in M&A diligence and expansion strategy.

Steven holds a PhD and MS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University where he won several best paper awards for his research and graduated at age 23, completing both degrees in 3 years.

For more information on Oculii: www.oculii.com

Connect with Steven on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hongsteven

***

This episode of the Future Lab is brought to you by Ashland University's MBA Program.

Amid a digital transformation, employers are seeking to hire professionals with strong technical and analytical skills.

Better analyze, understand, and interpret data with Ashland University’s Business Analytics MBA. Apply for the March 2021 entry point to begin advancing your career. All OhioX members, their spouse, and dependents receive a 10% tuition discount. Visit mba.ashland.edu to learn more.

43. Blockchain success stories with Sir John Hargrave and Evan Karnoupakis

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode we talk with Media Shower's Sir John Hargrave and Evan Karnoupakis on Blockchain Success Stories: Case studies from the leading edge of business.

John and Evan are the co-authors of a book of the same name where they share the real-life stories of the visionaries who are rewiring the world through the new technology called blockchain.

Through deep research and firsthand interviews, John and Evan take you on a page-turning journey with these dreamers as they disrupt the world.

Sir John Hargrave is the CEO of Media Shower, the leading blockchain media company. His company publishes the blockchain investor website Bitcoin Market Journal, which reaches 100,000 investors monthly. He’s the author of Blockchain for Everyone (Simon & Schuster) a frequent speaker and lecturer, and a leader of the blockchain revolution. He holds an MBA from Babson College.

Evan Karnoupakis is a blockchain consultant who works with the banking, direct marketing, education, energy, government, financial services, legal services, media, and transportation industries. Evan frequently writes about blockchain industry disruption and governance and advises on blockchain strategy with governments and companies worldwide. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School.

***

This episode is sponsored by Ashland University's MBA Program.

You can improve your job security, even during unprecedented times! Ashland University’s MBA Programs prepare students for the changes of tomorrow and teach in-demand business skills.

Ashland University offers a variety of flexible, accelerated, online or part time MBA degree options for every working professional. Apply for the March 2021 start date and Ashland University will waive your application fee & GMAT or GRE test scores. Plus, OhioX members, their spouse, and dependent(s) receive a 10% tuition discount for all Ashland MBA programs. Visit mba.ashland.edu to learn more.

42. Dr. Elad Granot on lessons from companies that failed to innovate

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0500

Dr. Elad Granot is the co-founder and managing member of an early stage technology Venture Capital fund and the Dean of Ashland University’s Business School. In this episode, we talk with Elad about some of the world's best tech ecosystems and lessons from companies that failed to innovate.

Elad is passionate about the role of Higher Ed in its ecosystem, and he actively builds, cultivates, and promotes social and economic connections through active citizenship in the community, while serving as a key strategic influencer for students to move up the academic and economic ladders.

Dr. Granot is an accomplished practitioner and noted scholar who is a sought- after speaker, and frequently appears in multiple media as a business expert and publishes in leading academic journals.

Active in his community, Elad has served on a variety of boards and is an enthusiastic booster of the Ohio ecosystem.

Connect with Elad on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/higheredokr

***

This episode is sponsored by Ashland University's MBA Program.

Want to excel your career to the next level, but feel as though it’s impossible due to the demands of work, family, and other obligations? Made with working professionals in mind, Ashland University’s MBA programs provide flexibility in terms of curriculum, learning style, time, location of classes, and pace throughout the program.

Apply for the March 2021 start date and Ashland University will waive your
application fee & GMAT or GRE test scores. Plus, OhioX members, their spouse, and dependent(s) receive a 10% tuition discount for all Ashland MBA programs. Visit mba.ashland.edu to learn more.

41. Scott Allen on thinking BIG

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Scott J. Allen, Ph.D., is the Standard Products—Dr. James S. Reid Chair in Management at John Carroll University. In this episode, we talk about the start of a new series Scott and John Carroll University are launching, Thinking Big - Digital.

The series is a look inside leading technology-focused companies and how emerging technologies are shaping the future. Throughout Spring 2021, Scott will host conversations with business leaders from companies like Tesla, Microsoft, Walmart, and more.

Scott is an associate professor and teaches courses in leadership, management skills, and executive communication. He's received the Wasmer Outstanding Teaching Award for his work in the classroom.

In addition to writing and speaking, Scott consults, facilitates workshops, and leads retreats across industries. He is a faculty member of the Institute for Management Studies, and recent engagements include: Lubrizol, Key Bank, EY, Siegfried Group, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Sherwin Williams, Progressive, NASA-Glenn, FedEx Custom Critical, Thompson Hine LLP, Cleveland Clinic, Leadership Cleveland, and Cleveland Bridge Builders.

Scott is also the chair and co-founder of Captovation, a services firm dedicated to “Presentation Coaching for the Digital Age.”

For more information on the Thinking Big - Digital series, visit www.ohiox.org/events

For more information on Captovation, visit www.captovation.ai

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-j-allen/

40. Deneisha Franklin on creating opportunities in tech and building community

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0500

Deneisha Franklin is a diversity and inclusion champion and tech enthusiast. In this episode, we talk with Deneisha about creating opportunities in technology and building a community with Black Tech Columbus.

She is passionate about planning, creating, and executing solutions aimed toward disrupting the status quo and incorporating sustainable, systemic change - especially within corporate environments.

Deneisha is a founding member and Secretary of the Columbus non-profit organization, #BlackTech614, and is a Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Program Manager at HubSpot. In 2019, she was named as a ComSpark Central Ohio Tech Power Player in the Rising Star category and has been recognized by The Wendy’s Company as a Community Ambassador.

Connect with Deneisha on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/deneishafranklin

For more information on #BlackTech614: www.blacktechcolumbus.com

39. Kevin Gadd on reskilling workers and filling tech talent pipelines

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:00:00 -0500

Kevin Gadd is the State Director of Ohio for Apprenti, a national nonprofit that helps veterans, people of color and women get into technology careers through registered apprenticeship.

In this episode we talk with Kevin about how he's helping workers find new careers and his passion in helping underrepresented groups get into tech.

He is a retired Air Force Chief with 23 years of service. He served in Air Force communications and technology roles and capped his career as the state diversity officer for the Ohio Air National Guard and Director, ANG Mission Driven Mentoring Program.

Kevin has cofounded, funded, and mentored several technology based companies and taught entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University and Dar Al-Hekma in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chiefgadd

Learn more about Apprenti: www.apprenticareers.org

38. Nicole Paolozzi on building an on-demand care community

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0500

Nicole Paolozzi is the Founder and CEO of OndeCare, a technology platform that finds pre-vetted, Professional Care Providers that can be at your home in as little as two hours. In this episode we talk with Nicole about how experiences as a working mother led to her building OndeCare and her journey from BigCo to startup.

Nicole is an entrepreneur because over the past two decades she repeatedly ran into the same need for safe, reliable, on demand family care and just couldn’t let it go. She has more than 25 years’ experience developing and leading high-end service organizations.

The foundation for Nicole’s career was with American Express Corporate Card and Corporate Travel Services, where she started out in middle-market sales in Indianapolis, was promoted to large-market account management in Chicago, led their internal Knowledge Management team which built Wikipedia-like databases (before Wikipedia), and ultimately recruited to be a Six Sigma Black Belt in the first Six Sigma cohort to apply the defect reduction methodology to service processes and organizations.

Nicole’s forte in process design and leading service organizations has shaped OndeCare’s technology driven solution; addressing the accelerated caregiving crisis currently in Cleveland and Akron with a plan to deploy as a voluntary benefit and an employee perk to small and midsized businesses nationwide.

Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-paolozzi

Learn more about OndeCare: www.ondecare.com

37. Jessica Cohen on 5G and the opportunities it creates

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0500

Jessica Cohen currently leads Verizon's philanthropy and community engagement efforts in Northern Ohio. In this episode we talk to Jessica about the power of 5G, how the it's building Ohio's cities, and why she loves working for a leading tech company.

Before joining Verizon, she worked in the nonprofit and public sectors, serving on the staff of U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and later in institutional advancement and government advocacy roles for Cleveland-based nonprofits. During her time at Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jessica became a recognized leader in external affairs and community relations. She also chairs the Cleveland Heights Planning Commission.

Jessica was chosen as one of the 2015 Crain's Cleveland Business Forty Under 40 and a 2019 Cleveland Jewish News Difference Maker. She received her undergraduate degree in Government from Harvard University, her Master's in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, and is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

Jessica and her husband Eric, a public school teacher, live in Cleveland Heights with their four adorable children.

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacohen18/

36. Bob Fenner on helping customers solve problems and working for Silicon Valley in Ohio

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0500

Bob Fenner is currently a sales leader in the Midwest for Arista Networks, a publicly traded Silicon Valley based networking and security company. In this episode we talk with Bob about helping customers solve problems and what it's like working for a Silicon Valley-based company in Ohio.

Bob joined Arista in 2016 and has since grown regional revenue 10x including building out an extended team of 20+ team members. Prior to joining Arista Networks, Bob spent the last 10+ years working for various technology startups and a Fortune 500 company in Silicon Valley, Denver, Cleveland, and Columbus.

Bob is a graduate of Ohio University and The Schey Sales Centre. He currently serves on the board of The Schey Sales Centre at Ohio University and the Ohio Networking User Group (OH)NUG. Originally a Cleveland, Ohio native, Bob resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and two kids.

Connect with Bob on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bfenner/

Learn more about Arista: www.arista.com

35. Jacob Glenn on innovative solutions at the intersection of business and technology

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 07:00:00 -0500

Jacob Glenn is the Founder and President of M Genio. In this episode, we talk with Jacob about the path which led him to starting his own firm eight years ago and how his company brings innovation solutions to the intersection of business and technology.

M Genio is a Cleveland-based boutique firm of smart technologists specializing in Mobile Solutions, Internet of Things, and Cloud Automation. From strategy to software development to ongoing support.

Prior to founding M Genio, Jacob worked at a number of leading technology companies. Today, he's an advisory board member at two investment firms and his alma mater, Case Western Reserve University where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees.

For more information on M Genio, please visit: www.mgenio.com

Connect with Jacob on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jacobglenn

34. Molly Reams Thompson on educational entrepreneurship

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0500

Molly Reams Thompson is the Co-Founder of Perrysburg Energy Solutions. In this episode we talk with Molly about her passion for educational entrepreneurship and how a career in tech and startups across America led her home to Toledo.

From the moment her feet hit the floor in the morning, Molly is constantly thinking about how to implement big ideas, challenge the status quo, and inspire others. Molly’s DNA is made up of equal parts entrepreneurship, strategy and service.

Molly has founded/co-founded seven companies; invested in three start-ups; and served on numerous boards.

She has raised nearly $3 million and successfully rebuilt previously struggling programs. She has mentored dozens of food, tech, and arts-related startups and created a curriculum for entrepreneurship in urban agriculture at a local college.

Currently, Molly is co-founder of Perrysburg Energy Solutions, a full-service LED lighting company she and her husband started in 2016. Her most successful “startup”? Avery and Jack, 16-year old twins, co-founded with her husband, Scott.

Connect with Molly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heymollydolly/

For more information on Perrysburg Energy Solutions: www.perrysburgenergy.com

33. Naveed Iqbal, PhD on solving the student loan debt problem

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Naveed H. Iqbal, PhD is the co-founder and CEO at Dolr. In this episode we talk with Naveed about solving the big issue of student loan debt, his path to founding Dolr, and why Columbus was the perfect place to start his company.

Founded with a mission to lower financial barriers to education, Dolr is a student loan repayment platform accelerating its members to $0 student debt with their money, their employer's money, and money from the apps they use.

Before founding Dolr Naveed worked in consumer risk and product at one of the largest consumer banks in the USA. He earned his PhD in Applied Math at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Connect with Naveed on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/naveed-h-iqbal

Follow Dolr on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/dolr

For more information on Dolr: www.getdolr.com

32. Craig Borkowski on building technoloy inspired by the U.S. Military

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Craig Borkowski is the CEO of Terra Sound Technology, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), headquartered in Columbus.

Terra Sound was founded on a passion for creating thoughtful solutions for their Customers, delivered through Terra Sound's Software and Fiber Optic Cable. Their Mission is to solve your Security, Smart City, and Pipeline problems.

Craig graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Pepperdine University. Over the past 25-years, he has worked extensively in the electronic materials field in a variety of positions.

Craig started out in Operations and has held roles in Engineering, Technical Service, R&D, Marketing, Business Development and as General Manager at a variety of global multinationals. Before Terra Sound, his most recent role was as Chief Strategy Officer of Momentive, a $3Bn silicones manufacturer with approximately 5,000 employees.

Craig is a seasoned leader with a strong leadership style. His ability to think through a grand strategy, focusing on core competencies and growth opportunities for the company will enable Terra Sound Technology to continue our rapid growth that has been happening over the past year.

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn.

• Learn more about Terra Sound: www.terrasound.us

31. Pete Blackshaw on making Cincinnati the #1 startup hub in the Midwest and a top innovation center in the USA

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 07:00:00 -0400

Pete Blackshaw is the CEO of Cintrifuse, a syndicated venture fund and startup catalyst organization dedicated to making Greater Cincinnati the #1 startup hub in the Midwest and a top innovation center in the nation. In this episode we talk with Pete about his work across the globe and the opportunity for Cincinnati and cities like it across the country.

Pete joined Cintrifuse from Nestlé, S.A. in Switzerland, where he was Vice President of Digital. Pete earlier served as CMO of NM Incite, a joint venture between Nielsen and McKinsey.

He is the author of “Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3000” (Doubleday). Pete is a passionate entrepreneur who founded PlanetFeedback.com, one of the web’s first consumer-feedback portals, which he sold to Nielsen.

He also co-founded the Word-of-Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) and served as Chairman of the Board of the National Council of Better Business Bureaus. In 2019, he served as an innovation juror at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Pete is a graduate of Harvard Business School and the University of California, Santa Cruz.

• Connect with Pete on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/consumergeneratedmedia/

• Follow Pete on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pblackshaw

• For more information on Cintrifuse, please visit: www.cintrifuse.com

30. Rick Pollack on career pivots and high tech manufacturing

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Rick Pollack is the founder and owner of MakerGear LLC. MakerGear engineers and manufactures desktop and benchtop 3d printers. In this episode we talk with Rick about the career pivot that led to MarkerGear and the importance of high tech manufacturing.

Rick started MakerGear in his garage in Shaker Heights in 2009 and MakerGear moved to their current location in Beachwood in 2012. MakerGear was one of the first companies in desktop 3d printing and helped to bring 3d printers to the masses.

Prior to MakerGear, Rick worked as a software developer for many years and for a variety of companies. He was a principal in eCCS a very early online CRM startup for the automobile industry and that company was acquired by Dayton based Reynolds and Reynolds in 2000.

Rick has a BS in Computer Science from the University of Cincinnati. You can often find Rick hiking in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

For more information on MakerGear: www.makergear.com

Connect with Rick on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rickpollack

And for information on MakerGear's virtual Toy Drive: https://www.makergear.com/blogs/stories/join-the-makergear-virtual-toy-drive

***This podcast is sponsored by Ashland University’s world-class MBA Program.

Start solving tomorrow's business problems and apply today. All OhioX members, employees, their spouse, and dependents receive a 10% tuition discount.***

29. Don Wright on Mental Health, Suicide and Artificial Intelligence

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Don Wright is the Founder and CEO of Clarigent Health. Clarigent Health uses artificial intelligence to detect biomarkers in speech that can detect potential mental health risks.

In this episode we talk with Don about his work in tackling the important issue of mental health, what the future of this space holds, and how technology plays a role.

Prior to Clarigent Health, Don led Assurex Health which provides genetic testing for almost one million people with mental health conditions. Assurex Health grew to over 500 employees and was acquired in 2016 by Myriad Genetics. Since then Don has used his 25 years of experience to advise hyper-growth companies and to build Clarigent Health. Clarigent Health is now launching a new product this month, called Clairity.

For more information on Clarigent Health please visit: www.clarigenthealth.com

Connect with Don on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwright/

28. Forlefac Fontem on co-founding a company as a college student and creating opportunities for all

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Forlefac Fontem is the Co-Founder and Technical Lead at Bingo Insurance and a 4th year undergraduate student studying Computer Science at The Ohio State University.

In this episode, we talk with Forlefac about his passion for technology, co-founding a company while still in school, and creating opportunities for all.

While at Ohio State, Forlefac has completed two Software Engineering Internships at J.P Morgan Chase & Co and Lyft. Currently, Forlefac co-founded Bingo Insurance, an insurance company that focuses on providing intelligent dog insurance for smart pet owners.

While he isn't working and spending time with friends and family, he creates opportunities for others by volunteers as a Technology Coordinator for Project V.E.R.B, a non-profit organization that provides low-income students with developmental skills and career opportunities.

Connect with Forlefac on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/forlefacfontem/

Learn more about Bingo Insurance: www.joinbingo.co

27. Ann Marie Fisher on selling Silicon Valley

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Ann Marie Fisher is the Director of Strategic Alliances for Jitterbit. In this episode, we talk with Ann Marie about working remotely for Silicon Valley based companies and selling to Midwest and Canadian businesses, nonprofits and governments.

Jitterbit is the API transformation company that accelerates innovation by combining the power of APIs and integration. Prior to her role as Director of Strategic Alliances, Ann Marie was an Account Executive and sales leader.

In addition to her work at Jitterbit, we talk to Ann Marie about what big problem she'd solve with technology if money was no object and how what companies and leaders can learn from pre-Covid distributed workforces.

Connect with Ann Marie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akozlowski1/

26. Faris El-Khider, MD, on how practicing medicine on three continents led him to startup world

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Faris El-Khider, MD, says he is 60% doctor, 40% data nerd. In addition to being a Cleveland Clinic trained gastroenterologist, Faris is also Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Hyr Medical.

Hyr Medical is building a web-based marketplace to tackle a major healthcare problem: By 2025, the United States will have a shortage of over 100,000 Physicians and 1,000,000 Nurses.

Faris has been in health care industry in 3 different continents since the mid 2000's. He completed his internal medicine training at Detroit Medical Center / Wayne State University, where he also served as Chief Resident, then Associate Program Director and Assistant Professor. During that time, he obtained a Master of Science (MS) focused in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis from University of Michigan, then joined Cleveland Clinic as a gastroenterology and research fellow under a grant from National Institutes for Health (NIH).

He met his current Co-Founder after moving to Cleveland and showing up at a Hack-a-thon. And since then they've been building Hyr Medical, an online platform that connects doctors and hospitals for freelance work.

In this episode, we talk with Faris about his career in medicine, why he showed up at a hack-a-thon, and how technology can solve some of medicines biggest problems.

Connect with Faris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felkhider/

More information on Hyr Medical: https://www.hyrmed.com/

25. Mike Walker on a career in Big Tech and their incredible ecosystems

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Mike J. Walker is an accomplished architect with a vast amount of experience as a leader, innovator and technology expert.

Currently, Mike is Senior Director, Applied Innovation and Digital Transformation at Microsoft and previously has worked at leading technology companies such as Gartner, Hewlett-Packer, and Dell. And his career has taken him across Ohio, Seattle and Austin.

In this episode we talk with Mike about his career working for some of the most innovative companies in the world, the incredible ecosystems of these tech companies and their cities, and how Ohio can play a leading role in the future.

Mike is internationally known as an expert in innovation, strategy development, and enterprise architecture. His insights are sought-after as a speaker at major events worldwide. Additionally, he has delivered keynote speeches for conferences and events on five continents.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejwalker/

24. Ann Toews on changing careers, the Army, and Tech

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Ann Toews is an Operations Manager at Upstart, the leading AI lending platform partnering with banks to expand access to affordable credit. Based in Columbus, Ann graduated from Stanford University before beginning her career as an officer in the U.S. Army.

After her Army service concluded, Ann received her Master's Degree from Princeton University and then joined the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a Presidential Management Fellow.

Ann began her career in Tech when she joined Upstart's Columbus office in 2019.

In this episode, we talk with Ann about her passion to serve in the Army, how her military service prepared her for the shift to tech, and how others can make similar career transitions.

Connect with Ann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anntoews/

To learn more about Upstart, please visit: https://www.upstart.com/

23. Jason Gintert on "networking"

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -0400

Jason Gintert is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of WAN Dynamics, a technology company founded to help organizations find their way in the nascent "NetDevOps" technology space.

In this episode, we talk with Jason about how he got his start in technology (when he was seven years old), the path to founding his own company and how he's building a statewide network of networkers.

Jason learned how to program in BASIC on a Commodore VIC20 when he was 7 years old and he's been enthralled with making technology do cool things since. He entered the technology field via the late 1990s ISP boom and survived to tell the tale. Jason loves networking so not only is it a profession, but something of a personal pursuit as well.

Jason is also the Co-Founder and President of the Ohio Networking Users Group (OH)NUG, a statewide professional organization that brings together industry experts, engaging topics and a lot of beer.

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongintert/

For more information on WAN Dynamics: http://www.wandynamics.com/

For more information on (OH)NUG: http://ohnug.org/en/

22. Matt Buder Shapiro on moving his company from NYC to Cleveland

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Matt Buder Shapiro is a co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of venture-backed startup MedPilot Inc. He is responsible for developing MedPilot's brand and patient engagement strategy. MedPilot has helped over 1 million patients better understand and resolve their medical expenses.

In 2019, Matt and his company made headlines when they moved the business from New York City to Cleveland. In this episode we talk with Matt about why the move happened, why the decision has paid off, and how cities can compete for coastal tech talent.

Matt also sits on the advisory board for Blue Star Families, the nation's largest chapter-based military family organization, and the Catamount Innovation Fund. Prior to MedPilot, he led the New York media team at Bully Pulpit Interactive, a political strategy firm created by the digital marketers of Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns. BPI's experience with leveraging data to target communication helped provide the foundation for MedPilot's engagement engine.

For more information on MedPilot: https://www.medpilot.com/

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbudershapiro/

21. Jeff Leo Herrmann on media technology and creating brain gain

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0400

Jeff Leo Herrmann is the CEO of The Youngstown Publishing Company and also the President of Madison, Michigan and Market. The YPC publishes The Business Journal, Brain Gain, and After Hours Youngstown. MMM is a boutique advisory firm.

In this episode, we talk with Jeff about a career in digital media and marketing technology that took him around the globe, why he decided to return home to Ohio, and his work in trying to keep and recruit talent back to Youngstown.

Herrmann has spent the last 25 years as both an operator and/or investor in digital media and marketing technology companies.

Herrmann is a high-impact business leader with expertise in developing and executing multi-million dollar deals in technology, media and analytical services. Jeff works in high-visibility, highly competitive markets of CPG, Retail, Healthcare, Media, SaaS, B2B Technology, and Advertising/Marketing Services.

Jeff’s passion lies in the design and development of strategies to leverage content, technology and data to accelerate sales and realize extraordinary growth.

Jeff earned an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Economics and Finance. He's also a proud graduate of THE Ohio State University.

Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefflherrmann/

Follow Jeff on Twitter: @JeffLHerrmann

20. Grant Schneider on bringing Silicon Valley to Columbus

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Grant Schneider is the Head of Upstart Columbus and a Data Scientist. With a PhD in Statistics, Grant leads the HQ2 for Upstart, a technology company based in Silicon Valley which is the leading AI lending platform partnering with banks to expand access to affordable credit.

In this episode, we talk with Grant about bringing Silicon Valley to Columbus, his path from PhD to startups, and improving access to affordable credit.

Since the opening of Upstart’s HQ2 in early 2019, Grant has led Upstart Columbus as it expanded from 0 to over 150 people.

Prior to that, he worked for Upstart in the Silicon Valley office, where he had been a Data Science Manager since 2017, managing various teams of 5-10 data scientists.

Grant spent the 3 years before this as a Data Scientist, building the artificial intelligence models and algorithms that are the "secret sauce" of the company. He helped develop early credit risk and marketing models that laid the foundation for future research which led to Upstart’s current position as industry leader in both areas.

Grant has three degrees from The Ohio State University and lives in the Columbus area.

Connect with Grant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantwschneider/

Follow Grant on Twitter: https://twitter.com/grantwschneider

For more information on Upstart, please visit: https://www.upstart.com/

19. Tonjia Coverdale, Ph.D. on fearless leadership and innovation

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Tonjia Coverdale, Ph.D. is an executive, professional, and scholar who has cultivated her unique perspective of technology through the combination of academic theories, applied research, industry practices, entrepreneurial insight, and strategic focus. Currently, Tonjia is Associate Vice President for Workforce & Legal Technology at Nationwide.

In this episode, we talk with Tonjia about fearless leadership and innovation and how she approaches technology through a unique lens that melds academia and technical expertise.

With three degrees in information systems and technology – B.S., MBA, and Ph.D. – Tonjia has 23 years experience in the field including President / CEO of the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network, where she completed the construction of a $118M fiber-optic, middle-mile network that is one of the first 100% fiber-optic broadband networks in the U.S. to service an entire State/Territory. Having pursued a dual career path in both industry and academia, she also has 19 years of experience in higher education as an administrator and professor, most recently serving as the Vice President for IT and Chief Information Officer at Central State University.

She also has a dedicated commitment to increasing socioeconomic mobility by providing career access to the technology industry, with a keen interest in creating pathways for women and traditionally underrepresented groups.

To connect with Tonjia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonjia/

Follow Tonjia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonjia

18. Sam Chang on revitalizing America's post-industrial cities and recruiting top talent back home

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Sam Change is the co-founder at Midstory, Toledo's Media Thinkhub. A nonprofit that examines, researches and reports on the issues of brain drain, community, and the historical intersections between environment, industry, and technology.

In this episode, we spoke with Sam about why he returned to Toledo after attending Princeton and beginning his career on the East Coast, what exactly is a thinkhub and how their work can help cities like Toledo across the country.

Sam started Midstory with a group of similar-minded people to cultivate the many narratives from the Midwest, to challenge, uplift, restore, clarify, and empower this region through creative multimedia storytelling and solutions-oriented research, to be a magnet for more individuals like me to also find the courage and boldness to return.

Midstory is dedicated to retain, cultivate and attract youth and the public to post-industrial cities — beginning in the city of Toledo — through creative storytelling and solutions-oriented projects.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit nonpartisan thinkhub, Midstory works toward revitalizing the socio-cultural infrastructure of the Midwest region by bringing together researchers, creatives, students and other young people from all over the nation to work on research, docket creation, creative storytelling and public media creation. Past and current topics include demography, the Lake Erie water crisis, higher education, and more.

For more information on Midstory: https://www.midstory.org/

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-chang-68178989/

17. Calvin Cooper on the right to invest in your own home

Wed, 27 May 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Calvin Cooper is the co-founder and CEO of Rhove, a Columbus-based fintech company founded on the belief that everyone has the right to invest in their home.

In this episode we talk to Calvin about bringing innovation to the challenges of home ownership, why this was an idea he and his co-founders just had to pursue and what the future of ownership looks like.

Prior to founding Rhove, Calvin was a Director and Venture Partner at an early stage venture capital firm located in the Midwest. Calvin is active in community and entrepreneur support organizations.

He serves on the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center YEx Advisory Board. In 2017, the Columbus City Council and the Create Columbus Commission recognized Calvin with the Visionary Award, and he was also listed in the 40 Under 40 Class of 2017 by Columbus Business First. Calvin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Capital University in Financial Economics.

For more information on Rhove: https://rhove.com/

Connect with Calvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinncooper/

Follow Calvin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalvinNCooper

16. Jay Clouse and Eric Knight Hornung on Test City, USA

Wed, 20 May 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Jay Clouse and Eric Knight Hornung are the co-hosts of Upside, a podcast about startup investing outside of Silicon Valley. They are also the Producers of Test City, USA, a feature film on the technology and startup ecosystem that is Columbus, Ohio.

In this episode we talk with Jay and Eric about their journey during the filming of Test City, USA, what they learned about the innovation ecosystem in Columbus, and how cities across the world are trying to create their own Silicon Valleys.

For more information on Upside: https://upside.fm/

To watch Test City, USA: https://upside.fm/test-city-usa/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayclouse/

Follow Jay on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jayclouse

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekhornung/

Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ekhornung

15. Jerry Valentine on social enterprises and solving affordable housing problems

Wed, 13 May 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Jerry Valentine is the Founder and CEO of Renter Mentor, a for-profit social enterprise IT and consultant services company that helps connect people to affordable housing.

The idea of Renter Mentor was first pitched at Give Back Hack Columbus, a weekend hack-a-thon for social good, in April of 2019, where the team won the competition and received seed money for the idea.

Jerry and the team then took the idea to the 2019 SEA Change Signature Cohort, a 14 week startup accelerator for social entrepreneurs, that allowed them to develop the concept, business plan and product. At the conclusion of the program, Renter Mentor was named a Top Three startup and won additional seed money.

The idea of Renter Mentor was born during Jerry's time working at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority and where he experienced firsthand the challenges and problems that existed in the space.

Jerry is a graduate of Ohio University and currently resides in Columbus.

Learn more about Renter Mentor: https://www.rentermentor.net/

Connect with Jerry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-valentine-24610b194/

Follow Jerry on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JerryV513_

14. Andrew Wolfe on building a company remotely and lessons learned

Wed, 06 May 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Andrew Wolfe is the CEO of Skiplist, a software company that accelerates development and drives value for organizations of all sizes.

In this episode we talk to Andrew about his decision to build his company remotely, why that decision is paying off now, and how other leaders can make the successful shift.

As a leader and executive dedicated to building world-class teams and solutions to the world’s hardest technology problems, Andrew advise startups and enterprises on the right way to adopt cutting-edge technology into their companies and products while ensuring that their teams can handle the innovations themselves.

For more information on Skiplist, please visit: https://skiplist.com/

To connect with Andrew on LinkedIn, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-wolfe-5a127034/

Follow Andrew on LinkedIn: https://twitter.com/AndrewWWolfe

13. Ben Blanquera on tech strong cities and community collaboration.

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Ben Blanquera is the Vice President of Client Success and Experience at the Columbus Callboratory and the Founder of TechLife Columbus.

In this episode, we talk to Ben about how the strong Columbus tech community was born, the journey to today and his background as a community leader. We also learn more about his work at the Columbus Collaboratroy, which is a unique and innovative advanced technology company that focuses on driving solutions in the areas of big data, analytics and cyber security.

Ben's career has included technology focused leadership positions at Fortune 100 companies, nonprofits and startups.

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benblanquera/

For more on TechLife Columbus, please visit: http://www.techlifecolumbus.com/

For more information on the Columbus Collaboratroy, please visit: https://columbuscollaboratory.com/

12. Doug Weintraub on building companies and growing innovation communities.

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Doug Weintraub is the Chief Executive Officer of Bounce Innovation Hub, an accomplished technology executive, and active investor and advisor to startups.

In this episode, we speak with Doug on how Akron came together to build Bounce, his entrepreneurial story and his work today as a tech investor.

Bounce is Akron’s “front door” for collaborative innovation and seeks to engage, educate and grow Akron's innovation ecosystem. Bounce serves community innovators including startup founders, universities, corporations, investors and makers by offering programming, event space, private office space, conference rooms, co working space, a maker space, and an online community.

Doug has built his career in the tech industry, holding roles from Chairman, CEO, Advisor, Investor, and more.

Connect with Doug on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-weintraub-4799a75/

For more information on Bounce Innovation Hub, please visit: https://bouncehub.org/

11. Rehgan Avon on scaling a community worldwide and elevating diverse voices.

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0400

Rehgan Avon is the Founder and President of Women in Analytics and Principal Consultant at Rehgan Consulting where she helps businesses grow through analytics and technology.

In this episode with Rehgan, we talk about how she launched a global community through Women in Analytics, elevating diverse voices and launching her new business.

Rehgan has spent her career executing on the fundamentals of developing and implementing data science and analytics products and solutions. She specializes in analyzing, assessing, and improving analytics processes and standards.

She also evaluates analytics tools, solutions, and strategies to fit operational needs and requirements. Rehgan has worked with best in class organizations designing and implementing these standards.

Her experience is grounded in working with early stage technology startup companies to build analytics software for the large enterprise. She is passionate about cultivating analytics and technology communities that are diverse and equitable.

For more information on Women in Analytics, please visit: https://womeninanalytics.com/

For more information on Rehgan Consulting, please visit: https://rehganconsulting.com/

Connect with Rehgan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rehganavon/

Justin Bibb - On Cleveland's comeback, smart cities and building opportunity.

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0400

Justin Bibb is Vice President of Corporate Strategy for KeyCorp and a community leader in his hometown of Cleveland.

In this episode, we talk with Justin about Cleveland's comeback, his work with smart cities across America and how to build opportunity for everyone.

Prior to joining Key, Justin was a Senior Consultant at Gallup and was responsible for building and growing the firm’s Global Cities Practice. His client portfolio included local governments, foundations, and public-private partnerships. In that capacity, he provided advisory services in the areas of smart cities, economic development, and government service delivery transformation.

Previously, Justin served as Director of Corporate Strategy for kgb, a leading provider of local information, financial products and business solutions, where he was responsible for supporting the firm’s senior executive team with leading strategic business development initiatives and evaluating and executing M&A opportunities.

Justin received his J.D. and M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University and his B.A. in Urban Studies from American University and the London School of Economics. Justin serves on the boards of Destination Cleveland, Teach for America Greater Cleveland, LAND studio, Inc., and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbibb/

Follow Justin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinmbibb

Kaleb Dumot - On building great teams, doing it remotely and what top talent looks for in new jobs.

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Kaleb Dumont is the Founder and CEO of Integrity Power Search, a boutique retained search firm for high growth startups & technology companies across North America.

In this episode, we talk with Kaleb about building great teams, doing it remotely and what top talent looks for when deciding on opportunities.

Since 2012, Kaleb and his team at IPS have successfully executed 800+ searches and their clients have collectively raised over $2.5 billion in VC funding and counting.

Kaleb is also an active startup investor and works with top tech startups all across North America.

Connect with Kaleb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalebdumot/

Learn more about Integrity Power Search: https://www.integritypowersearch.com/

Scott Allen - On the future of work and emerging technologies

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:00:00 -0400

Scott J. Allen, Ph.D., is the Standard Products—Dr. James S. Reid Chair in Management at John Carroll University.

In this episode, we talk with Scott about the Future of Work, the convergence of emerging technologies and how companies big and small go about innovating.

Scott is an associate professor and teaches courses in leadership, management skills, and executive communication. In 2008, he was voted the favorite teacher and in 2014 he was awarded the Wasmer Outstanding Teaching Award for his work in the classroom.

In addition to writing and speaking, Scott consults, facilitates workshops, and leads retreats across industries. He is a faculty member of the Institute for Management Studies and has worked with a range of businesses and organizations which include Fortune 500 companies and leading nonprofits.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-j-allen/

Tim Schigel - On building innovation ecosystems and scaling companies.

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Tim is a serial entrepreneur and investor with roots in the Midwest, experience in Silicon Valley, and connections around the world. He currently serves as the Managing Partner at Refinery Ventures in Cincinnati.

In this episode we talk about building innovation ecosystems, scaling companies and his path to founding Refinery Ventures.

Tim created ShareThis, a social media pioneer that nearly a billion people use to share online content every month. ShareThis, based in Palo Alto, was one of the fastest growing companies in the country, growing to $50 million in less than four years which earned him the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in his region.

Tim also launched and managed Cintrifuse, one of the best performing fund of funds in the country, investing in 15 top-tier early stage funds across the U.S. Tim has been in venture capital since 1998. Prior successes include Advertising.com (AOL), Get2Chip (Cadence), DotLoop (Zillow).

Tim grew up in Cleveland as the son of a steelworker and Vietnam veteran. He received his B.S. in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University and is a Member of YPO, a global network of chief executives.

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schigel/

For more information on Refinery Ventures, please visit: https://refinery.com/

Tim Raderstorf - Chief Innovation Officer, Ohio State College of Nursing

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode we speak with Dr. Tim Raderstorf who is the Chief Innovation Officer at The Ohio State University College of Nursing and The Head of Academic Entrepreneurship at the Erdős Institute.

From TED talks to textbooks, Tim uses every platform he can find to empower those at the frontlines to change healthcare.

As the first nurse to hold the Chief Innovation Officer title in academia, he takes great pride in educating the world on the role of the nurse as an innovator and entrepreneur.

In 2017, he founded The Innovation Studio, a makerspace/incubator that provides interprofessional healthcare teams with the tools and mentorship needed to turn ideas into actions. This work at the Innovation Studio led to Tim being named the 2018 Early Career Innovator of the Year at The Ohio State University, as well as Distinguished Recent Alumni at Ohio State, and the Innovation Studio being named the Non-Profit of the year by Columbus Business First in 2019.

Outside of Ohio State, Tim is the founder of Quality Health Communications, and co-author of the #1 New Release textbook Evidence-Based Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Nursing and Healthcare: A Practical Guide for Success. He is also currently an Innovation Advisory Board Member with the American Nurses Association.

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timraderstorf/

For more information on Ohio State's Innovation Studio, please visit: https://nursing.osu.edu/offices-and-initiatives/office-innovation-and-strategic-partnerships/innovationstudio

Jessica Gritzan - COO, Squirrels

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 11:00:00 -0500

Jessica Gritzan is the Chief Operating Officer of Squirrels which is a North Canton based a market leader in screen mirroring technology for education, business and consumers.

Prior to joining Squirrels, Jessica worked as an Aeronautical Engineer on the F22 Fighter Jet for Lockheed Martin in Atlanta.

Jessica holds an Engineering degree from The Ohio State University.

In this episode we talk with Jessica about building a technology company in Northeast Ohio, why returning home mattered and making the shift from an engineer at Lockheed Martin to growing a technology business.

For more information on Squirrels, please visit: https://www.airsquirrels.com/

To connect with Jessica on LinkedIn, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesschev/

David Croft - Partner, Meyers Roman

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 07:00:00 -0500

David Croft is a Partner at Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis where he chairs the firm's Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Cybersecurity practice.

Prior to joining Meyers Roman, David was in-house as a General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer. Today, he directs the firm’s multidisciplinary approach to representing clients in all aspects of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, including smart contracts, tokenized security offerings, government regulation, inventions, trademarks, brand protection, trade secrets, copyrights, commercialization, mining, energy procurement and licensing.

In this episode we talk with David about his work in emerging technologies and the important role data and privacy are playing in today's business world.

For more information on David, please visit: https://meyersroman.com/attorneys/david-v-croft/

To connect with David on LinkedIn, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidvcroft/

Carrie Murphy - Senior Director, Venture for America

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 07:00:00 -0500

Carrie Murphy is a Senior Director at Venture for America which is a fellowship program for recent college graduates who want to become startup leaders and entrepreneurs.

Based in Cleveland, Carrie returned to Ohio from New York City where she worked at Goldman Sachs and a leading retained technology executive search firm. With additional experience at startups, Carrie is helping recruit and place college graduates from some of America's best universities at startups in Cleveland and throughout Ohio.

In this episode we talk with Carrie about the future of work, what the best talent looks for in deciding on career opportunities and returning to Ohio from the east coast - and how Ohio can recruit more professionals back home.

For more information on Venture for America, please visit: https://ventureforamerica.org/

To connect with Carrie on LinkedIn, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-murphy-8a8948a/

Matt Golis - Founder and CEO, GiveGame

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 15:00:00 -0500

Matt Golis is the Founder and CEO of GiveGame which is a revolutionary fundraising platform that turns major sports and live events into powerful fundraising opportunities. From March Madness to the Oscars, GiveGame empowers cause champions and nonprofits to: raise money for their cause, unlock modern donors and mobile giving, drive year-round donations, ignite donor engagement, and increase giving frequency.

Now based in Columbus, Matt spent years in Silicon Valley where he was the co-founder and CEO of YapStone. YapStone is a provider of online and mobile payment solutions for global marketplaces and software platforms.

In this episode we talking building and scaling technology companies, why he decided to start his new venture outside of Silicon Valley and what cities in the middle of the country can do to recruit and retain top tech talent.

Matt is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and where he is actively involved with the school and its students in the spaces of venture, entrepreneurship and creating companies.

For more information on GiveGame, please visit www.givegame.com

To connect with Matt on LinkedIn, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgolis/

***The Future Lab is powered by OhioX - Ohio's technology and innovation partnership. Our mission is to unite and promote those building the future. For more information on OhioX, please visit www.ohiox.org***

Cory Bailey - Co-Founder and President, SecūrSpace

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 15:00:00 -0500

Cory Bailey is the Co-Founder and President of SecūrSpace a transportation tech startup that provides a network of secure parking facilities and storage yards across the United States.

Cory co-founded SecūrSpace with a college friend while getting his MBA at Notre Dame (and turning down Amazon) and now leads a team across America in bringing innovation to the trucking and transportation sectors.

In this episode, we talk starting a new venture instead of joining a big tech company, disrupting industries and how Cory's diverse work history has helped him in his role today.

For more information on SecūrSpace, please visit www.secur.space

To connect with Cory on LinkedIn, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-d-bailey/

***The Future Lab is powered by OhioX - Ohio's technology and innovation partnership. Our mission is to unite and promote those building the future. For more information on OhioX, please visit www.ohiox.org***

Welcome to The Future Lab

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 14:00:00 -0500

Welcome to The Future Lab.

The podcast where we talk with, and about, the people, companies and ideas building the future.

From startup founders building the next unicorn to someone leading innovation at a Fortune 500 company.

Experts in emerging technologies or people creating the cities of the tomorrow.

In each episode we talk with innovators and creators to learn what they're working on and how they're doing it.

The one thing they all have one thing in common? They're building the future.

Welcome to the future.

***The Future Lab is powered by OhioX - Ohio's technology and innovation partnership. Our mission is to unite and promote those building the future. For more information on OhioX, please visit www.ohiox.org***