Meet MTI's Staff and Contractors BETSY BIEMANN, President In January of 2005, Betsy Biemann was appointed by Governor John Baldacci to head the Maine Technology Institute. The Institute's purpose is to support entrepreneurs in the State's seven targeted technology sectors to bring innovations to market and create jobs for Maine residents. She serves on the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board, the CEI Community Ventures, Inc., Board, the Maine Investment Exchange Advisory Board and the Board of the Maine Philanthropy Center. Betsy joined the Maine Technology Institute after serving as an Associate Director at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City. There she led the Foundation's program expanding access to skills training and employment in the United States. She also oversaw Rockefeller's equity investments in community development venture capital funds and below-market loans to social enterprises that furthered the program's goals. Betsy joined Rockefeller's staff in 1996, after working in the field of international development for 10 years, principally in Africa and Latin America. Her prior experience included work as a program officer with the Synergos Institute and consultancies with the World Bank, UNICEF and other foundations and nonprofit organizations. Betsy earned a bachelor's degree in biology and the history of science from Harvard University, a master's degree in public policy from Princeton University and certificates from the National Venture Capital Association's Venture Capital Institute and Stanford Business School. She lives in Brunswick with her husband, Sean Callahan, and two children. LINDA ADAMS, Program Assistant Linda joined MTI as the Program Assistant in June 2006. Prior to joining MTI, Linda accumulated over 20 years of combined experience as an executive/administrative/legal assistant in New Hampshire and Maine. She provides administrative and facilitative support during the application and review processes for both the Seed Grant and Development Award Programs. Linda graduated from Plymouth State College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and has completed additional coursework in Human Resource Management, Microeconomics and Financial Accounting at the University of New Hampshire. SHANE BECKIM, Seed Grant Specialist Shane joined MTI in March of 2004 and is primarily responsible for managing the Seed Grant Program. Shane also manages the IT needs and database platform for the organization. Shane has over 10 years of experience with accounting management and program assistance. While he continues working toward a degree in Business Management through the University of Maine, Shane is also a dedicated board member and coach for various youth sports program in the Augusta area where he lives with his wife and children. ROGER BROOKS, Manager, Commercialization and Cluster Support Roger joined MTI in February 2008 and is responsible for Cluster Enhancement Awards and activities to advance commercialization success among MTI awardees. Prior to joining MTI, Roger spent more than 25 years with a variety of technology companies, including serving as CEO of Intelligent Controls, Saco, Maine, and President of Dynisco, Inc., Sharon, Mass. He serves on several small business boards and as Lead Director of Moldflow Corporation (MFLO), a provider of CAE software to the plastic injection molding industry. His experience also includes private equity. He is a member of the Maine Angels network. Roger holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Government from the University of Connecticut and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the New York University Stern School of Business. He lives in Cumberland with his wife, Elizabeth, and an assortment of farm animals and house pets. They have four grown children and five grandchildren. ELIZABETH CRABTREE, Manager, Maine Technology Asset Fund Elizabeth manages for the Maine Technology Asset Fund. She joined MTI in October 2001 and managed MTI's Seed Grant program until February 2008. In addition to the Maine Technology Asset Fund, she also manages other bond funds and MTI's annual impact evaluation. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. A Maine native, Elizabeth spent 16 years with Central Maine Power Company, where she focused on customer service, energy management, market research and sales. She lives in the midcoast area with her husband, Richard. JESSICA GOGAN, Development Award Specialist Jessie joined MTI in April of 2008 to administer the development award program. She has a background in program management and event coordination in the non-profit sector. Jessie graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. She and her husband, Derek, live in Whitefield and have two pets. MARILYN GONDEK, Finance and Administration Manager Marilyn joined MTI in July of 2007 after seven years as executive vice president, finance and administration, at the Institute for Global Ethics. Prior to that, she was manager of financial policy and procedure development at Yale University, where she had also been business manager of the School of Drama and had taught graduate classes in theater management. She holds a bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College, a master's degree from Harvard University, and studied accounting and auditing at Quinnipiac University. Marilyn is a native of Bingham, Maine. She serves on the board of the Old Canada Road Historical Society and on the finance committee of the Topsham Public Library. She and her husband Richard live in Topsham and Bingham, and have two grown children. JOSEPH MIGLIACCIO, Manager, Business Innovation Programs Joe joined MTI in 2000 and is responsible for project oversight and technology evaluation for the MTI Development Award program. He has his Master of Business Administration degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H. Joseph attended the University of Maine and the University of Southern Maine, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. He had worked in commercial shell fishing for 4 years while earning his undergraduate degree. He has formal and practical training in Immunology, and Bioassay development. During his ten years at IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook, Maine, he worked as an Assay Development Project Leader in R&D, a Supervisor of Global Technical Support, and in marketing as the manager of a $4 million product-line of veterinary tests with primary responsibility for product-line strategy, customer satisfaction, and achievement of revenue goals. Joe and his wife Rhonda have two daughters. He lives in Freeport where he owns a small business with his wife and serves on Town Council. HAL NORVELL, Communications Specialist Hal joined MTI in October 2007. Before moving to Maine to enjoy its quality of life, Hal worked for 28 years at AARP, Washington, DC, where he was a relationship manager for national accounts and as a program manager in member travel benefits and services. Responsibilities included marketing, Internet marketing, communications, member benefit and program development, public relations, and event management. He holds a bachelor's degree from the College of Charleston and a master's degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he completed course and exams for a doctorate in French, Spanish, and Radio, Television, and Motion Picture Production. While he has also studied and worked in France, Germany, and Spain, he prefers life in Gardiner and Maine. ANDREA PHILLIPS, Office Manager Andrea joined MTI in March 2004 as a temp, was hired full time in August 2004 and was promoted to office manager in October of 2005. Her responsibilities include administrative support to the president and staff, coordinating meetings, supporting the bookkeeper, and assisting the staff with the proposal review process. Andrea has attended classes at the University of New Hampshire in Durham and Rivier College in Nashua. She has an extensive background in office administration with 24 years at Lockheed Martin, Alpha One, Center for Independent Living, and Goodwill Industries of Northern New England. She grew up in Salem, New Hampshire, and lived and worked in the area for over 14 years before moving to her current residence in Windsor with her husband, Lambros and daughter, Amy. PATTI SUTTER , Administrative Assistant Patti joined MTI as the Administration Assistant for the Maine Technology Asset Fund and other bond funds in February 2008. She had worked in similar capacities for the Maine Nutrition Network, Muskie School of Public Service (USM) and the University of Maine at Augusta. Patti earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from the University of Maine at Augusta and is currently enrolled in its Baccalaureate program for Liberal Studies. Patti resides in West Gardiner. MARTHA BENTLEY, Consultant Martha Bentley is the Maine Technology Asset Fund Program Administration Contractor, and Grants Administrator for the Maine Biomedical Research Fund and Maine Marine Research Fund. She has worked with MTI in a variety of capacities since 2002. Martha has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College and a Master of Arts in Applied History from the University of South Carolina. She has held a variety of positions relating to non-profit organizations and philanthropy, including Grants Manager for the Public Welfare Foundation in Washington, DC, and Director of Programs at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation in Cedar Rapids, IA. Martha currently serves as Vice President of the Readfield School Committee, and Secretary of the Maranacook Education Foundation. She lives in Readfield with her husband and two daughters. KAREN WEST, SBIR/STTR Consultant Since 1999, Karen West has been the MTI SBIR/STTR consultant. On behalf of MTI, she provides pro bono outreach, education and technical assistance to companies seeking federal funding for research and development leading to the commercialization of new products and services. In 2006, she was named a national Tibbetts award winner for her dedication and efforts to further the SBIR/STTR program. Karen received her Bachelor's degree in business while serving in the Air Force. A native of Pennsylvania, she worked in Arizona, England, Colorado and California before coming to Maine 1993. She lives in Washington with her husband and two Labrador Retrievers.