Meet MTI's Team 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 thatf urthered 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 non-profit 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 the Seed Grant, Development Award and Cluster Enhancement 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, micro economics 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 and Federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR/STTR) support programs, but he also manages MTI's IT needs and database platform. Shane has over 10 years of experience with accounting management and program assistance. He 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. Jessica Gogan Development Award Specialist Jessie joined MTI in 2008 and is responsible for sourcing investment opportunities, administering the evaluation process, and advising and monitoring portfolio companies. She has been involved in MTI investments in technology companies such as CashStar Inc., Harbor Technologies LLC, AIKO Biotechnology Inc., Global Protein Products, Advance Electronic Concepts and with the University of Maine at Orono. Jessie provides up to one hour of assistance to applicants throughout the writing process and shares insights and tips on how to assemble a competitive Development Award application that is clear, focused, complete and compelling. Jessie came to MTI with public health sector experience in project management, grant administration, and expertise in policy and workforce development. She was drawn to MTI because of her interest in fostering entrepreneurship, facilitating access to capital, and working with Maine businesses to generate positive economic impact. She holds a Bachelor's Degree of Business Management from the University of Maine. 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 the manager of the business innovation team, which covers the Seed Grant, Development Award, Accelerated Commercialization Fund and Federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR/STTR) support programs.  Involved with a series of family-owned small business throughout his life, he also worked in the commercial shellfish industry while earning his undergraduate degree.  During 10 years at IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook, Maine, he worked in commercial assay development for veterinary R&D, served as a supervisor of global technical product support and a product-line manager with responsibility for line strategy, expansion, customer satisfaction, and achievement of contribution goals.  He has formal and practical training in immunology, bioassay and product development. Joe attended the University of Maine, initially focusing on engineering, and obtained a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Southern Maine.  He holds a master's degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University.  Joe lives Freeport with his wife and children, where they own a small business and he serves on the town council and economic development corporation board of directors.  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 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, MuskieSchool 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. She 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.