Steven Cooper ~ S.D. Cooper Company
Steven D. Cooper, President, has 25 years of Benefits Consulting and Pension Administration experience. Steve popularized The ERSOP(tm) Plan by being the first to make it accessable for franchisers and business brokers in 2000. He coined the term "ERSOP(tm)(Entrepreneur Rollover Stock Ownership Plan)" in 2001. He has owned and operated his own pension consulting and administration firm since 1984, designing several thousand plans over the years.
Scott Kern ~ franchiselawsource.com
Scott Kern practices franchise law nationwide from offices in New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Kern’s franchise industry practice is a broad mix: drafting franchise agreements and disclosure materials, transactional work, regulatory compliance matters and franchise litigation.
Mr. Kern’s firm provides counsel to franchisors on all legal matters they face and also represents franchisees in acquiring and starting franchised business and leasing real estate for their new enterprises.
Stephen Konkle ~ U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Since joining the SBA, Steve has served in the Liquidation Division, the Entrepreneurial Development division, and the Finance Division. Currently, he is a Senior Loan Specialist in the Finance Division. He also serves as Veterans Business Development Officer for the Illinois SBA Office. Steve holds a BA in Economics from Western Michigan University and an MBA in Finance from Illinois Institute of Technology/Roosevelt University.
John Siebert, CFE ~ iFranchise Group, Inc.
A certified franchise executive (CFE), John has personally analyzed hundreds of companies to determine their optimal expansion strategy and their readiness for franchising. Prior to joining the iFranchise Group, John was a consultant with The Entrepreneur Authority, the leading franchise brokerage firm in the country. In his role as a franchise broker, John was intimately involved in every aspect of the franchise sales process - from lead generation to Discovery Day to close.
Lyndsey Wolfsmith ~ The Entrepreneur's Source
Lyndsey Wolfsmith joined The Entrepreneur's Source in 2007 making the transition from corporate America to franchisee. Through franchising opportunities Lyndsey helps people understand whether franchising is a good fit for them to reach their goals and expectations.