A critical element of the Inventrek Technology Park product development service involves matching skilled advisors with Inventrek clients. Inventrek personnel are dedicated to performing in-depth evaluations of prospective competitive environments, including associated industry analyses, data base searches, and phone surveys of participants in targeted industries. Resulting information sources and analyses become foundational elements in business plans and other planning documents. Moreover, Inventrek personnel and members of the Inventrek Task Force are available to provide general counsel in matters of organizational development, etc.

However, none of the above sources of information and counsel are capable of rendering advice with respect to the fine-grained, industry-specific issues upon which effective competitive strategy is developed. It is this accumulated wisdom which may often be absent from Inventrek-supplied analyses and general counsel, and which may only be available from professionals who have a first-hand working awareness of such key issues. The Inventrek Technology Park understands that it is awareness of these critical success factors that can be the ultimate determinant of a winning venture. Therefore, Inventrek appeals to selected individuals to assist in mentoring these young ventures.

One of the key business development services highly valued by our client firms is access to seasoned business executives who are willing to mentor new ventures. Volunteer mentors must be willing to nurture and help cultivate these fragile young ventures as they make their earliest, most uncertain decisions about how they will enter targeted industries, and how they will compete with rivals. Since these mentors serve as volunteers, Inventrek seeks to minimize the burden arising from such a leadership activity. The mentors themselves are free to establish ground rules for their involvement with Inventrek clients with typical commitments being only 1-2 hours/month. The span of involvement varies greatly, however, and Inventrek would ask mentors to be willing to commit to advising the firm through their initial launch and development, the time of which may span one to two years.

Important credentials of effective mentors include the following:
» A servant’s spirit, and a willingness to be available to these young firms for brief sessions in which ad hoc phone counsel may be needed. Mentors should be willing to function as an “informed sounding board” with respect to key issues.
» A technical background or other specific credentials (education, prior work history, etc.) relevant to the proposed new venture. It is crucial that mentors and company founders be mutually equipped to discuss technical issues at a very high level to maximize the efficiency of those interchanges.
» A deep understanding of the competitive landscape of related industries and a willingness to share those insights with prospective ventures.
» A willingness to make crucial networking contacts and introductions for Inventrek firms at those times deemed appropriate by all participants. Mentors are under no obligation to make contacts for firms, especially when such contacts involve any kind of conflict with the interests of the mentor. When (and if) the firm reaches a point wherein such contacts and networking are deemed appropriate and useful for the ultimate success of the venture, it becomes the mentor’s option to make whatever introductions may be advisable in their sole discretion.
» A willingness to make key introductions to prospective members of the top management team. Most Inventrek firms are founded by entrepreneurs with an often world-class understanding of their respective technologies, which may not, however, be balanced by an equal grasp of key business practices and principles. Experienced business leaders are critically necessary for many Inventrek firms to achieve their full potential.

Inventrek mentors, therefore, constitute a critical element of the Inventrek Service Program. As anticipated, the need for broad participation by mentors from across multiple disciplines, and from divergent industries is growing rapidly. It is prudent, therefore, to cultivate a complex web of complementary relationships among Inventrek mentors.

MENTOR STAFF

David Heilman
David is a retired COO from DuPont Photomasks. David worked for 24 years at Delco Electronics Engineering as a supervisor, 10 years at DuPont as plant manager, VP marketing and sales, Exec VP, COO, five years at Photronics, Sr. VP marketing sales.

With a Bachelor of Science in Business and a minor in Chemistry from Indiana University, David has an understanding of what is required to take a manufacturing operation from a green field to a profitable business, develop sales plans, training and customer support. His skills include evaluating and eliminating risk factors, providing vision and experience to assist in the development of a business plan, market analysis and sales plan assistance, cost control and cost reduction.

Joe Klein
Joe is retired from Haynes International Inc. and is a member of the Presidents office and Vice President of the High Temperature Alloy Business.

Joe was the Vice President of Technology at Haynes International, Director of Operations High Technology Materials Division, Operations Manager Mill Products High Technology Materials Division, Director of Technology High Technology Materials, Deloro Stellite, and Machinery Divisions of Cabot Corporation.

He earned a Bachelors of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Purdue University, a Masters of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Alabama, and a Ph.D in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Tennessee.

Joe has a broad range of expertise including, business management, sales marketing, operational management, technology and strategic planning experience, high technology alloys processing, applications and research. His skills include strategic planning, sales and marketing, technology development and implementation.

Thomas K. Capozzoli Ed.D.
Tom is currently the Director for the Purdue School of Technology in Kokomo. He is also retired from General Motors where he worked in Anderson and Fort Wayne, Ind., and in Fitzgerald. Ga. He has started two greenfield plants using the team concept.

He earned a Bachelors of Science in Marketing, and a Masters of Arts, and Doctorate in Education. His experience includes manufacturing and labor relations and has worked with several companies on a consulting basis in team building, lean manufacturing, quality, executive development, and others. Tom’s skills include manufacturing expertise, product development, quality, and general management.

Frank Lachenmaier
Frank is currently a Patent Attorney with Russell McIntyre Hilligoss & Welke. He has worked at Delco Radio Divison of GMC as mechanical design engineer, tool engineer, process engineer, and manufacturing engineer supervisor. Frank retired from Delphi Electronics as manufacturing engineer group manager.

Frank has a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue, a Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue, and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University Indianapolis. He has expertise in intellectual property protection – patents, trademarks, and copyrights – and counseling to avoid loss of valuable property or avoidance of litigation.

John Floyd
John is retired from DaimlerChrysler where he held many positions including complex manager, Kokomo Transmission and Casting Plants, director of paint and pilot operations, and director of manufacturing administration and engineering. John has also held the following positions, executive vice president, manufacturing and international operations for General Tire and Rubber Company; director of manufacturing, United Kingdom, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and he has been the plant manager for three plants at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

John has a Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University. Executive Programs, Columbia University. Menninger Foundation, Carnegie Mellon. He has expertise in manufacturing, finance, and organizational development. John has skills involving product development, manufacturability, marketing and selling, and assessing financial implications and practicality.

David Bastin
David retired in 2001 as executive director of marketing at Delphi Delco Electronics Systems where he began his career in 1967 when it was the Delco Electronics Division of General Motors. David’s leadership was instrumental in receiving the JD Power award in 1998.

David held many positions over his 30-plus years with Delphi, including executive director of marketing, director of marketing and ventures, western regional sales manager, program manager for the implementation of the field-sales force, pricing manager, contract manager for military/government programs, and superintendent of worldwide quality control of automotive radios and air controls.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management, with a minor in finance from Ball State University. His expertise and skills are in advertising, branding, market research, promotions, graphic media, sales channel management, sales force management, and contract management.

Tom Sheehan
Tom is retired from Delco Electronics. Tom held various positions in the engineering, manufacturing and operations departments. Overall experience includes several executive assignments in general management.

Tom has a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering-GMI, a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. And an Advanced Management Program Masters from Harvard University. He has over 40 years of experience and knowledge of the concepts and principles as applied to the successful establishment and operation of businesses.

Chuck Bucheri
Chuck is a CPA and partner with Bucheri, McCarty & Metz LLP, currently employing about 30 people in their Kokomo and Wabash offices. Chuck is also part owner of Infotex Inc., an information technology company that provides technology planning and information security services.

Chuck has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Indiana University. Currently, he is the Vice Chairman of the Indiana CPA Society and has been on the board of directors since 1999. Chuck has also volunteered his leadership in the community over the years as board chair for the Kokomo Howard County Chamber of Commerce and the Howard County Community Foundation, along with numerous other organizations. He has expertise and knowledge related to all financial aspects of operating a successful business.