Steven Cooper ~ SDCooper Company

SDCooper Company, has 25 years of benefits consulting and pension administration experience. First to evangelized the essential exit strategy that popularized the ERSOP(TM) Plan. First to successfully market it to franchisors and business brokers (beginning in 1999) Coined the term "ERSOP (Entrepreneur Rollover Stock Ownership Plan)" in 2001.

Matthew J. Kreutzer ~ Armstrong Teasdale LLP

Matt Kreutzer is a Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP and is Chair of the firm's Franchising practice group. Mr. Kreutzer has over a decade's worth of experience handling franchise disputes nationwide through arbitration and litigation. He also assists franchisors in protecting their systems by creating franchise disclosure documents and operational agreements.

Mr. Kreutzer frequently serves as a guest speaker at programs around the country, training both industry professionals and other attorneys on issues related to franchising. He is the author of the franchise blog www.forwardfranchising.com.

Melvin Boser ~ U.S. Small Business Administration

Melvin Boser is a Lender Relations Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration. In this capacity, Mel has processed and services SBA loans. He also does lender reviews in the state. He also is the Brand Manager for the Minnesota Office.

Andrew Amoroso ~ U.S. Small Business Administration

Andrew Amoroso is a Business Development Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration. In this capacity Andy works with start-up businesses, technical assistance resources for small businesses, inventors and other special emphasis programs. Andy is SBA's liaison with SCORE and the program officer for the State of Minnesota Small Business Development Center program.