About the IEE

As Senior Program Director of the Membership department, Urban & Community Entrepreneur Program, and the Entrepreneurial Fellows Class, Rhonda Carson Leach is responsible for developing and implementing entrepreneurial programs focused on providing business leaders with the direction, knowledge and connections to take their businesses to the next level. She is also lead facilitator for the IEE’s Urban Power to Prosper, a nine-month certificate program for small business owners in urban neighborhoods that explores such topics as access to capital, financial management, strategic planning, sales strategies, access to new markets, and managing human resources.

Rhonda Carson Leach has over 16 years of experience motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, nonprofit leaders, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve success. Her areas of expertise include leadership development, conflict resolution and group dynamics. She is also an executive life coach, management consultant, corporate trainer and motivational speaker in the Pittsburgh area.

Rhonda Carson Leach was honored as one of 50 Women of Excellence by the New Pittsburgh Courier in 2009 and as a Minority Small Business Champion by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2005. A member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, she has served on the boards of the American Society for Training and Development, YWCA of Pittsburgh, Children/Adults Recreational Services, Urban Youth Action, Inc., and the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Raymond L. Vargo, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center at the IEE, counsels businesses at all stages of their lifecycle.

Working with businesses in industries such as retail, high tech, manufacturing and professional services, he provides strategic business and financial advice to help companies expand their profits, explore new markets and overcome business challenges.

Since opening the Washington County Outreach Office of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center in 1995, Vargo has grown it to become one of the most successful outreach offices in the Pennsylvania SBDC system.

He has become a leader and valuable resource for Western Pennsylvania businesses, and in addition to his consulting management responsibilities, Vargo teaches accounting and small business management to both undergraduate and graduate students at Waynesburg College and the University of Pittsburgh.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Pennsylvania State University
Master of Business Administration, California University of Pennsylvania

Lee Ann is an Environmental Consultant with the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP)), assisting businesses with environmental and health and safety compliance, pollution prevention and sustainability opportunities for new business start-up, overall operation and/or potential expansion.

Lee Ann has over 28 years of environmental regulatory compliance experience in both consulting and industrial capacities. In addition to her experience working as an environmental consultant with the SBDC EMAP program from 2000–2011, she was previously the Manager of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs for a paint and coatings manufacturer, providing full environmental, product safety and employee safety compliance.

Prior to this she was an Environmental Scientist/Project Manager with two different Environmental/Engineering Consulting firms.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Management, Pennsylvania State University
Registered Environmental Manager (REM) with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals

Tara Gerek, Senior Events Manager & Membership Coordinator, joined the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence in 2012. In her position she is responsible for all of the details and various aspects of event/program logistics for the various centers of the IEE. These details include the planning and execution of educational and social networking events for the Membership Program, and the Entrepreneurial Fellows Center. Specifically, Tara handles items related to venue development, registration, final reconciliation of the event/program and serves as a liaison to existing members and clients of the various IEE centers.

Prior to joining the IEE, she worked for five years at Concord Hospitality Enterprises, coordinating special events in Marriott brand hotels in the Greater Pittsburgh region.

Tara is a member of the Meeting Professionals International – Pittsburgh Chapter and in her spare time serves as a volunteer for the United Way.

Victoria joined the IEE in 2015 as a consultant with the Pitt SBDC, helping guide local businesses and entrepreneurs in Washington, Greene, and Allegheny Counties. Her work’s primary focus was on strategic planning and financial feasibility, work that has resulted in helping businesses raise over $2,000,000 in capital and support over 300 jobs annually. She has championed community-based initiatives, such as Small Business Saturday, and assisted in the development of educational programing like the creation of specialized programing for businesses based on local economic trends. She has worked tirelessly to help business owners navigate COVID-19 closures, apply for financial assistance, and manage workforce issues.

Her most recent role with the Pitt SBDC was as Manager of the Emerging Enterprise Program, an initiative in which she led a team of student consultants assisting local entrepreneurs and small businesses with strategic planning and consulting services. Now as PantherlabWorks Director, Victoria harnesses her management consulting experience to lead the IEE’s center focused on product development and commercialization. Prior to joining the SBDC, she worked at Penn Commercial Business/Technical school in financial aid, career services, and in its education department. While there, she developed curriculum for technical skills majors that is still being used.

Victoria was the youngest recipient of the Young Athena Leadership Award presented by Power of Southpointe in 2018. In her spare time, Victoria is involved with charities and organizations focused on tourism, education, and business development.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, Grove City College

Meghan Hillegas is a Management Consultant with the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center.  At the SBDC Meghan works closely with clients in all stages of business growth. With nearly a decade of experience in small business and nonprofit operations and financial analysis, Meghan focuses her consulting work in organizational management and financial forecasting.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, California University of Pennsylvania
Master of Business Administration, Waynesburg

Terri Kennelly-Cook began her career at the University of Pittsburgh in August 2006 as the Department Administrator in the Swanson School of Engineering Office of Diversity. Ten years later she transferred to the IEE as an administrative assistant handling the front desk duties and projects for the IEE with Pitt students. Prior to the University of Pittsburgh, Terri was a Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Regional Supervisor with Zink Partners, Inc., Johnstown Management Co. and Cushman & Wakefield working in various states in commercial and residential properties.

Zachery Patton is a Management Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh’s Small Business Development Center. Currently, he works with startups and small businesses out of the Washington and Waynesburg offices. Zachery brings experience in the restaurant industry, business development, as well as sustainability initiatives. His focus is to help entrepreneurs position themselves to succeed and prosper.

Before he joined the Small Business Development Center, Zachery was the Technology Transfer Coordinator at the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Masters of Business Administration, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Lauren Scholtz joined the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence in 2007. She is responsible for monitoring and analyzing financial reports, processing accounts payable and receivable documents, and rendering her professional recommendation for cost effective and efficient financial policies.

In addition, she collaborates with the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Research, Research Cost Accounting and Institutional Advancement departments to prepare essential grant and program reports for proper correspondences with donors, pledges and other stakeholders.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Master of Business Administration, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh

As Marketing Director, Brett sets the strategic direction and tactical approaches for the IEE’s marketing efforts. He works across the organization to promote the IEE’s offerings, to build recognition for the Institute and its centers, and to support membership and events. Brett also supports the IEE’s clients through marketing and communications consulting and contributes to the IEE’s educational offerings. He brings a varied and developed background to the role with experience in higher education, consulting, nonprofit, technology, and financial services.

Prior to joining the IEE, Brett served Chatham University for nearly seven years as Web Marketing Manager and was an adjunct instructor for graduate-level communications programs.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Advertising/PR), Pennsylvania State University
Master of Science in Advertising, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Michael joined the IEE to infuse his passion for entrepreneurship and education in support of the University’s mission for regional economic development. Michael’s committed to broadening our region to assist business owners with profitability and sustainability. As an advocate for small business growth, Michael brings value through the delivery of training and counseling.

He will work with the IEE team to achieve its’ goals in fostering innovative ideas to strengthen and expand the University’s strategic outreach. Michael has expertise in entrepreneurship, financing, grant writing and higher education management.

Michael worked previously with the IEE as their Educational Program Manager from 2004 – 2008. For five years he served as a co-owner of a family business in the financial services industry. Michael has previously presented at the ASBDC annual conference. His published research dissertation focused on: Educating Entrepreneurs, Strategic Methods Utilized by Small Business Development Centers in the U.S. to Deliver Educational Programs.

Michael has spoken as a panel member at the U. S. Capitol Building for a Senate sub-committee on SBA financing. He presented a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) client whose commercialized LED lighting sensors were being used in hospitals in the U.S. and internationally as effective cost savings solutions. He guided a start-up venture to receive an investment to launch a company that provides clinical laboratory and toxicology testing for physician-owned practices.

Education

Bachelor of Education, University of Toledo
Masters of Education, University of Pittsburgh
Doctorate of Education, University of Pittsburgh

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Lynne began her career in retail management before transitioning to a project management position with PNC Bank. While at PNC Bank she was responsible for implementing bank marketing initiatives at the telebanking center and coordinating all aspects including training, operational support, and telecommunications. She held the position of accounting manager at an automotive dealership and most recently worked as a licensed and certified occupational therapy assistant, providing school-based occupational therapy in local school districts. In her spare time, Lynne enjoys spending time her with family, reading, and walking her two golden retrievers.

Brent G. Rondon is currently the Senior Management Consultant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. In that capacity he consults with export-import clients who want to engage in international trade as well as immigrant/international entrepreneurs who are newcomers to the Pittsburgh region and want to open their own businesses.

Previously, he was the Manager of the Global Business Program at the Duquesne University SBDC. Brent managed export projects to assist U.S. equipment manufacturers to enter Latin American countries of U.S.-Made equipment. He has traveled extensively and led trade missions to countries such as Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, China, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil.

He received a Master’s Degree of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) and a Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. His undergraduate studies were in Lima, Peru, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Engineering from the La Molina National University. He is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) from NASBITE International, on the board of Global Pittsburgh, Mayor Peduto’s Welcoming Pittsburgh initiative, the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sister Cities International, NASBITE International and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Diverse Communities Group.  He is fluent in Spanish and intermediate Portuguese.

Shelley Taylor is the Family Business Consultant at the IEE, working with business-owning families on governance, structure, role clarity, next generation development, generational transitions, and family councils. She started at the IEE in 2000 as the Education Program Director, and has also held the positions of Peer Forum Director and Membership Director. Shelley is an astute listener and a strategic thinker who fosters collaboration and promotes understanding and appreciation of the varied perspectives inherent in multi-generational families.

In addition to her role at the IEE, Shelley is an Associate with the Aspen Family Business Group, an international group of practitioners providing consulting resources for family businesses. She is the Family Council Chair for ABARTA, Inc., a third- and fourth-generation family business in Pittsburgh, serves as an independent director for a local private family business, and is a former Chair and currently on the board of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

Shelley holds an Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising (ACFBA) from the Family Firm Institute and is an FFI Fellow.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, Cornell University

Robert Stein brings to his role more than 20 years of economic development, entrepreneurial, and technology expertise. Under Bob’s leadership, the IEE’s SBDC in 2020 was named #1 in the country in economic development by the Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as contributed to the university winning the Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) “Place” Award for IEE’s work in the Homewood neighborhood. A senior advisor with the IEE since 2005, Bob created a specialized information technology consultancy service within the IEE and led the department in helping dozens of companies achieve multi-million dollar growth. Bob’s extensive experience in project management and implementing cost-effective integrated information systems has earned him respect from long-standing tech leaders such as Steve Ballmer and Meg Whitman. Prior to the University of Pittsburgh, Bob was the founder of ActiveWin.com, an online publication for Microsoft products, in addition to holding several positions at his family’s business CLI USA, Inc. For 14 consecutive years, Stein has earned the title of Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professional and has been featured in many national publications (i.e., Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NY Times, Washington Post, and American Business Journal). In 2014, Pittsburgh Technology Council named Bob as a finalist for its CIO of the year award. In 2018, Bob graduated from the community-focused Leadership Pittsburgh. Additionally, Bob has extensive board expertise, residing on several privately owned, family business boards in a variety of industries. Bob holds a B.S. in Operations and Information Systems Management from Pennsylvania State University, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and an Executive MBA equivalent from the Harvard Business School.