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.
Susan Mell ~ The Entrepreneur's Source
Susan Mell's background includes 17 years as a business owner. Susan has her Masters degree in Social Work Administration and is passionate about helping people achieve their dreams of self-employment.
Our motto is "Your Success is our only Business"
Don D'Amato ~ The Entrepreneur's Source
Don has over 30 years experience in senior management and business development. He coaches, educates, and assists clients in their exploration of their options and possibilities in self-employment and franchises. Don knows from his own experience what it takes to make the transition from the corporate world to one of an entrepreneur and can help you do the same.
Robert Chavarria ~ SBA - Small Business Administration
Robert Chavarria is the SBA Senior Area Manger responsible for operations for nine counties in the Tampa Bay area, and has worked for SBA since 1998. A Vietnam era Army volunteer and University of Texas at Austin graduate, Robert is from San Antonio, Texas. Robert has varied sales and management experience in SBA, the private sector, Hewlett Packard Co., and the U. S. Department of Defense
Richard J Straw, J.D. ~ Florida Minority Business Opportunity Center
Since 2004 Richard Straw has been the Director of Contracts and Business Development for the FMBOC. His main objective is to provide opportunities for minority- owned businesses with Corporations, Government Agencies, and Universities seeking a source for the supplies and services they need to run their operations. Richard's success is measured in the substantial contracts that have been awarded to MBEs, worth in excess of $1.5 billion dollars in the 5 years he has been with the FMBOC. His discussion will provide background on obtaining business opportunites, how to break through the corporate wall, and how to excel at making the connections needed to succeed in Corporate America.
Oliver J. Janney ~ Robbins Equitas, P.A.
Oliver J. Janney is the former Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Uniroyal Technology Corporation, and also served as General Counsel of RKO General, Inc. His areas of practice include mergers and acquisitions, aviation, and corporate law. Janney received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1970 and his B.A. from Yale University in 1967. Janney is a member of the New York State Bar and The Florida Bar. He is a FINRA dispute resolution arbitrator, and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Dennis A. Creed III ~ Robbins Equitas, P.A.
Dennis A. Creed III is an associate at Robbins Equitas. He is a 2005 graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School, and received his undergraduate degree, with honors, from Arizona State University. Dennis' areas of practice are litigation, intellectual property, and corporate law. He served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Infantry Team Leader, including two overseas deployments.