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Russ Yelton received his Bachelor’s in Management from Appalachian State University and his MBA from Western Carolina University where he has also completed coursework towards his doctorate. Russ is a serial entrepreneur who, besides starting various companies, has been in incubation management for more than five years. In his previous career he worked with a community college to convert an abandoned 141,000 sq ft manufacturing facility into a mixed use incubator consisting of an FDA approved commercial food kitchen, biotechnology research labs, light manufacturing and executive offices. The program also developed agreements with seven incubators in six foreign countries which lead to its recognition by the National Business Incubation Association as the second most innovative program in the world in 2008. Yelton has served as both President and Vice-President of the North Carolina Business Incubation Association, Chair of the Mountain South Incubator Alliance and currently serves on the board of directors of the National Business Incubation Association as well as several others.
Jeff Saville received his Bachelor of Science in Communications from Northern Arizona University. Jeff is a serial entrepreneur who has started and sold multiple businesses. He and his wife currently own multiple businesses including Flagstaff Chocolate Company and several travel related websites. Jeff has extensive experience in developing a web presence, driving web traffic and is a recognized expert in social media. Jeff works directly with multiple NACET clients advising them in areas of operations, web strategies, personnel and strategic planning. Jeff has completed his Incubator Manager Certification and has won several local awards including the 2002 Small Business Development Success Award. Jeff is also a graduate of the Flagstaff Leadership Program and has lived in Flagstaff for over 24 years.
Annette Zinky has over a decade of experience in small business management and served as the Director of the Small Business Development Center at Coconino Community College for nearly 5 years. She is still a member in Zinky Electronics, LLC, a musical instrument manufacturing business she co-founded in 1997. The success of the company was featured in an Entrepreneur Magazine article in 2000, and in many music industry publications since then. Annette has significant experience in human resource management, international trade, intellectual property (particularly trademark) and manufacturing production management. Annette has served on the Sustainable Economic Development Initiative Board of Directors for 3 years, including heading its Green Business Network team, and on the Coconino Community College Foundation Board of Directors for 2 years. Annette is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Arizona State University. She is an avid hiker and a tenacious problem-solver.
Originally from Los Alamos New Mexico, Katy Geary worked for the Los Alamos National Laboratory where she researched and co-authored two scientific papers that were published in Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics Journal. Katy received her Bachelor’s degree in Advertising from Northern Arizona University during which she found her passion for graphic design. Upon graduation, Katy worked as a graphic designer for an event coordinating company in Phoenix Arizona where she produced out-of-the-box designs that were utilized for automotive research, consultation, instructional design, logistics, training, and facilitation. Her designs and products were utilized nationally and internationally for some of the world’s largest automotive companies. Katy’s background in customer service enables her to perform in deadline-driven environments while being self-motivated and team oriented.
Stacy comes to NACET with an extensive background in non-profit administration, marketing, and publishing. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in English and originally hails from Marietta, Georgia. She and her husband moved to Flagstaff in 2007 and enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, and skiing.
Jack brings a diverse background with over 20 years experience in marketing, product marketing, training/OD, sales and sales management Jack has led the marketing efforts for products and services from medical devices to high tech, technology services, network infrastructure, professional services/consulting and software companies. This broad experience has included both F500 and start-ups. Jack is also a published business columnist and has been a featured speaker and panelist at trade shows, expositions and the National Institutes of Science. Jack has been interviewed in Japan, China, Germany, England and the US in various business publications. He has managed 3 global training organizations and is a life member of International Society for Performance Improvement, the American Society for Training and Development and various other industry associations and groups.
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