Gayle R. Kugler - Associate Director, Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and State Director, SBDC and Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network, University of Wisconsin-Extension

As Associate Director of DEED, Gayle is responsible for directing its two core programs, the Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) and the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network. Coordinating a statewide network of entrepreneurial resources through these programs, Gayle's responsibilities include leading statewide SBA, SBDC, University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Department of Commerce initiatives that affect the development of small businesses within the greater goal of economic development for individuals, communities and the state.

Gayle's background is primarily private sector, in all areas of business from HR to operations to customer service and sales, primarily at a large-scale print manufacturer. She has worked to advocate employee and customer training, on-site child care and quality-of-life programs both in the workplace and for worker's families.

Wisconsin Companies to Watch and the Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurship Network are two current programs Gayle has initiated in Wisconsin. She continues to collaborate with others to enrich DEED's program line-up. In 2011, she was instrumental in bringing and hosting the National SBIR Spring Conference to Madison, Wisconsin.

Don Zukowski - Account Executive for Millennium Laboratories

Mr. Don Zukowski is an Account Executive for Millennium Laboratories where he is involved with the medical sales of prescription drug monitoring. He has over 21 years of experience in the field of pharmaceutical.

Prior to Millennium Laboratories, he was employed at Fisher Scientific and has over 17 years of managing biotech sales.  He was responsible for negotiating contracts and building relationships with PowerBuy 4 You and BioForward.  In addition to negotiating contracts, he also sold sales equipment and managed biotech biopharmaceuticals.  Don holds a BA in Finance and Accounting.

Steve Blondell - Vice President of Finance for Bjorksten | bit 7

Mr. Steve Blondell currently is Vice President of Finance for Bjorksten | bit 7; an accomplished finance professional with over 30 years experience at Fortune 500 companies and mid-size firms serving within the industries of: Insurance, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Product & Services. In addition to being a member of Fortune 500 companies, he also served as consultant to leading firms such as GE, American Family Insurance, Clark Retail Enterprises. He has a bachelor's in Business Administration from Valparaiso University and holds a Masters in Business Administration. Steve has achieved additional awards and honors including:

• CTP (Certified Treasury Professional permanent status)
• Completed Level I of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program

Dr. Charles Landry - Field of Molecular Biology and Neuroscience

Dr. Charles Landry has over 25 years of experience in the field of molecular biology and neuroscience. He has a world-class reputation in molecular neurobiology, has numerous publications, reviews and book chapters and his work on addiction has been profiled in the Wisconsin State Journal and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. After 10 years as a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin — Madison, Dr. Landry is now applying his talents in the biotechnology sector, at his current position at Scarab Genomics, where he has successfully obtained millions of dollars in federal funding and is an inventor on several patents that are pending. Additionally, Dr. Landry is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Sovegen (Somnogen) Neurologicals, a new biotechnology company in neuroscience.

Michelle Fischetto - Account Manager for Aerotek

Michelle Fischetto serves as an Account Manager for Aerotek Scientific in Madison, Wisconsin. Michelle has more than four years of experience in the staffing industry and has dedicated her career to serving her clients by placing the right scientific professionals. She began her career with Aerotek in 2007 as a Scientific Recruiter for the Wisconsin region. Serving approximately one year in this role, Michelle focused on Aerotek's recruitment services of scientific professionals. In 2008, she was promoted to Account Manager for the Scientific Division where she now customizes and executes staffing services for Aerotek's customers. Michelle focuses on companies and skill sets within the Biotech, Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Allied Chemical, and Healthcare industries. In addition to her staffing services, Michelle also contributes to Aerotek's professional development through training Recruiters and other Account Managers within Aerotek on division specific and company-wide goals to better service Aerotek's clients. Michelle is based out of  Madison, WI serving the                                                 south central region.

Mark Jackson - Co-Founder of NeoClone

Mr. Mark Jackson has over 25 years of experience in molecular biology. Mark Jackson is one of the co-founders of NeoClone and was responsible for co-developing the company's initial business and research strategies. He negotiated the deal with Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation or WARF to license a retroviral transformation technology for NeoClone, and has been full-time at NeoClone since early 2001. Prior to NeoClone, he was employed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School where his research was focused on cancer and cell signaling. Before, the University of Wisconsin, he was employed at the Free University of West Berlin (Frei University Berlin) where his research involved immunological responses to viral antigens.

Diane Reiner - President of Act Telecom Inc.

Diane Reiner is currently President and Owner of Act Telecom, a business telecommunications consulting firm. Diane is a management professional with over 30 years of management, marketing, and telecommunications experience. Diane holds a Marketing degree and Paralegal certificate and is Six Sigma Yellow Belt certified. She is a member of Forward Janesville and Monona Chambers and is the Founder/Visionary for the Business Referrals 4 Women group.