Michael E. Gerber - Founder & Chairman of E-Myth Worldwide
Michael E. Gerber is the Founder & Chairman of E-Myth Worldwide, the coaching, training, and education firm he founded in 1977 to transform the development of small businesses worldwide.
Now approaching its 30th year, Michael's E-Myth company has achieved stunning results by helping to grow more than 50,000 businesses in over 145 countries.
As the author of seven E-Myth books, including the mega-bestseller The E-Myth Revisited, Michael has established his revolutionary perspective as the gold standard for small business development, becoming what Inc. Magazine called "the world's #1 small business guru" and one of Business Week's bestselling authors of the past decades. Michael's passion and genius for understanding the plight of the individual entrepreneur is the crux of his tremendous appeal and success, and has formed the core value of the E-Myth brand as it has evolved over nearly three decades. Indeed, the unique ability of Michael's E-Myth Perspective to help desperate small business operators overcome their "entrepreneurial seizure" and begin to work ON their business, and not merely IN it, is the very heart of the E-Myth revolution.
Now 70 years young and unquenched in his passion to transform entrepreneurship worldwide, Michael is turning his attention from the development of existing businesses to the special needs of entrepreneurs in the Startup. In December 2005 he launched a new venture for entrepreneurs seeking to create world class startups, In the Dreaming Room, which is conducting 2 1/2 day intensive weekend gatherings in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Based on his experiences with entrepreneurs in these "Dreaming Room" events, Michael is also working on his next major book Awakening the Entrepreneur Within which will be published by Doubleday in the Fall of 2007.
Of this new period in his life and career, he says: "There is an entirely new kind of entrepreneur coming alive in America today and thousands are joining their ranks every week. I call each man and woman joining this revolution, quite simply, 'the awakened entrepreneur.' The Awakened Entrepreneur is inspired by the belief that to flourish truly a business must touch the lives of each of its four primary influencers - its customers, its employees, its suppliers, and its lenders & shareholders - in a deep and meaningful way."
"Awakened Entrepreneurs seek a path that has, at its core, a higher, more inspiring meaning than just making money, or selling a product, or seizing market share. Above all, they are trailblazers seeking to transform lives in all that they do. Their businesses are, unfailingly, a stunning reflection of this transformational resolve. I believe in that vision. I believe in that possibility for all who would pursue the entrepreneurial call. For this reason, everything that I do in business and every book I write from this time on will be aimed to further this cause by awakening the entrepreneur within the countless millions of people worldwide who are inspired by the possibility of creating world class companies - companies that fulfill that deep abiding vision in each of us to transform our world."
E-Myth Worldwide
In the Dreaming Room
Bob Hisrich - Jamieson Inns co-founder; leading entrepreneurship educator
Robert D. Hisrich is Professor and Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Center at the Garvin School of International Management. He is also president of H&B Associates, a marketing and management consulting firm he founded.
Dr. Hisrich previously held the A. Malachi Mixon, III Chaired Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Hisrich was a Fulbright Professor at the International Management Center in Budapest, Hungary in 1989. In 1990-91 he was again named a Fulbright Professor in Budapest at the Foundation for Small Enterprise Economic Development, where he also held the Alexander Hamilton Chair in Entrepreneurship.
He has authored or co-authored fourteen books and has written over 300 articles on entrepreneurship, international business management, and venture capital and has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship theory and Practice, Journal of Small Business Management, and Journal of International Business and Entrepreneurship.
Professor Hisrich received his B.A. from DePaul University, his M.B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Cincinnati, and honorary doctorate degrees from Chuvash State University (Russia) and the University of Miskolc (Hungary).
Steve Mariotti - CEO National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Considered one of today's leading experts in education for at-risk youth, Steve Mariotti changed career paths back in 1982 when he decided to move from the corporate sector and become a special education teacher in the New York City school system. Mr. Mariotti gained insight into how to successfully motivate tough students by teaching them how to run a business. His perceptions and learnings inspired him to create a program to bring entrepreneurial education to low-income youth. In 1987 the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a non-profit organization, was formed.
Now, almost twenty years later, NFTE's mission is to teach entrepreneurship and help low-income young people become economically productive members of society by improving their academic, business, technological, and general life skills. the program has a proven track record of success. It is frequently used as a model for other programs to teach business knowledge and the resulting business formation. NFTE has reached over 150,000 young people since its founding and has programs in 28 states and 13 countries outside the United States.
Mr. Mariotti is the recipient of numerous awards and has been the subject of many national media profiles. He is the coauthor of eight books on entrepreneurship. Mr. Mariotti received his B.B.A in business economics and his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has also studied at Harvard University, Stanford University, and Brooklyn College.
National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Marsha Ralls - The Ralls Collection, Inc.
Marsha Ralls is one of Washington's leading art figures, having been entrusted with the creation of some of the top private and corporate collections in the country. Her career in art began when she was awarded a coveted apprenticeship in the studio of noted American Master, Robert Rauschenberg, where she was trained as an archivist. From there she moved on to become a business consultant and development advisor with the Fay Gold Gallery in Atlanta and later Sotheby's Auction House in New York.
In 1988, she founded The Ralls Collection, Inc., a private art dealership providing art consulting and curatorial services to both private and corporate collectors. Three years later, in 1991, she opened a gallery of the same name in Georgetown, where today she specializes in contemporary American paintings, photography, prints and sculpture.
As a leader in the Washington arts community Ms. Ralls conceived and acted as lecture coordinator of a special series on connoisseurship of contemporary art collection for the Smithsonian Institution's Campus on the Mall. In 2003-2004, Ralls worked with National Geographic Society's Caravan Initiative program, where she curated an international exhibition of five renowned Geographic explorer/photographer's works. In the summer of 2004 the show was exhibited at the United Nations in New York. Ms. Ralls tailors the purchase and display of artwork to her clients' personal needs and is discriminating in terms of the artists she chooses to represent, understanding that connoisseurship and commitment are of the essence.
Ms. Ralls is also an active member of her community and charitable organizations. She is a member of the Economic Club of Washington DC, Georgetown Business and Professional Association, Art Dealers Association of Greater Washington, AIPAD (Association of International Photography Dealers and recently joined the NFTE (National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship) board. She is on the Washington Capital Area board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In 2000 the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society named Ms. Ralls National Woman of the Year.
Ms. Ralls completed Leadership Washington in 2004, a yearlong educational program designed to foster cooperation and leadership among the top community activists in the Washington metropolitan region. In addition, she is also a member of the Washington, DC chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and has served in various leadership roles, both in the DC Chapter and EO International. In the fall 2004, Ms. Ralls was appointed by Mayor Anthony Williams to serve on the Washington, D.C. Arts & Humanities Commission Board and traveled as part of a cultural and diplomatic mission to Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok, Washington's sister cities. Under the new Mayor Adrian Fenty, Ralls will continue her role with the DCCA&H and serve to accomplish his vision for Washington DC to be a world class art city.
This is a very exciting time for Ms. Ralls as her travels continue and the Ralls Collection expands. She is commuting back and forth to the Middle East. Her current project is in Dubai as she is working with local business leaders introducing art concepts to this rapidly growing region.
Ralls has completed executive programs at Stanford, MIT and the Aspen Institute.
Janet Rehnquist - former White House Counsel; Top Healthcare and Biotech Attorney
Janet Rehnquist is the founder of The Rehnquist Group PLLC. She founded the group to provide expertise in the health care regulatory area with an emphasis on personal, client-focused service to help clients translate regulatory advice into sound business strategies.
Prior to founding The Rehnquist Group, Janet was a partner at Venable LLP, one of The American Lawyer's top 100 law firms. She was co-chair of the firm's health care practice, and represented a wide range of clients on a variety of matters including, fraud and abuse counseling, advice concerning CMS reimbursement strategies, writing rule comments on proposed reimbursement regulations for a hospital institution, and successfully defending a major pharmaceutical company in False Claims Act litigation.
Janet's career in government service includes most recently serving as the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As the former Inspector General, Janet managed a staff of approximately 1,600 auditors, investigators, policy analysts and attorneys; testified before Congress on issues related to health care fraud; and supervised all investigations, audits, and litigation involving HHS health care programs. She spoke at numerous national conferences around the country, addressing such topical issues as health care enforcement priorities, the importance of compliance and corporate governance in the health care industry. She issued compliance guidance for the pharmaceutical industry, upon which compliance programs in most pharmaceutical companies are based today. The Inspector General at HHS is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
In addition to her position as Inspector General, Janet served for seven years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia where she prosecuted affirmative civil enforcement cases and litigated False Claims Act cases, especially in the area of health care fraud. She also defended the United States in all aspects of civil litigation.
In addition to her positions at HHS and the U.S. Attorney's office, Janet served as Associate Counsel to the President in the first Bush White House. She concentrated on separation of powers issues as well as litigation and investigation matters during her tenure there. Janet began her government legal career as counsel to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. After graduating from law school Janet was a litigation associate at the law firm of Baker and Hostetler.
Janet's 14 years in the federal government both as a litigator and a high level health care policymaker--have given her unique insight into the government's approach to health care and policy issues. She has handled numerous high profile enforcement matters as well as important policy matters both for the government and on behalf of clients.
Janet holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Virginia, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of law. She is an active member of the Bars of Virginia and Washington, DC. In addition, she is an advisor to Sigvion Capital, a venture capital fund that invests in biotech and life science companies.
Jim Riggs - CEO, Shea Commercial
Jim Riggs pioneered the development of office condominiums and is one of the country's foremost authorities on this burgeoning market segment. Today, Shea Commercial is the largest developer of office condominiums in the United States and a leading broker of commercial real estate including offices, retail and industrial.
Riggs received his undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He joined a family real estate business in southern New Jersey, where he and his brother began developing and selling office condominiums. Riggs' father, a physician seeking space for his practice, was among their first clients.
Mr. Riggs established Shea Commercial in 1994 and the first office condominium project was a success. Riggs has since developed a national reputation for Shea Commercial, resulting from its rapid growth, quality projects and superior customer service.
Riggs strongly believes in giving back to the industry and the community. He is committed to donating 10% of all company profits to charitable organizations and supports Mountain View Little League, St. Patrick's Church, St. theresa School, and Scottsdale Boys and Girls Club. In 2003, he received the Phoenix Business Journal's FortyUnder40 Award.
Shea Commercial
S. Diane Graham - Chairman and CEO, Stratco Inc.
Stratco is one of the nation's leading companies in petroleum engineering, and grease technology. In the 20 years that Ms. Graham has directed operations, revenue has grown tenfold, and Stratco has become the worldwide market leader in alkylation technology, a chemical process essential to the creation of high octane and reformulated gasolines.
In 1996, she was appointed by the Secretary of Energy to the prestigious National Petroleum Council, and during that same year, she was appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to serve on the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Policy Advisory Committee.
As the first woman to be elected to the National Lubricating Grease Institute Board of Directors in its sixty years of history, Diane Graham became the first female President of that organization in 1992.
Diane Graham is a graduate of Culver-Stockton College wi th a degree in business and economics and a 1988 graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program.
