About the IEE

The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE), part of the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, has served businesses throughout Western Pennsylvania for more than 25 years. Offering a dynamic mix of consulting, education, and networking opportunities, the IEE strives to be an innovative leader in economic development in the region.

Message from the Director

For more than 25 years, the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence has proven itself to be a vital part of the small business community of western Pennsylvania. Across all of the IEE’s five centers, we strive to serve the diverse needs of businesses at every point of their endeavors. It is an honor to be involved with helping family-owned and closely held businesses grow to create success not only for the business owners, but also for the communities they support. We welcome you to learn more about the IEE and encourage you to reach out to us for business assistance as you explore your own entrepreneurial paths.

Bob Stein
Executive Director, Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence; Associate Vice Chancellor, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, University of Pittsburgh
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Bob Stein
Rhonda Carson Leach
Rhonda Carson Leach

Senior Program Director: Membership, Urban & Community Entrepreneurship Program, and Entrepreneurial Fellows Class

Ray Vargo
Raymond L. Vargo

Director, Small Business Development Center

Lee Ann Briggs
Lee Ann Briggs

EMAP Consultant

Tara Gerek
Tara Gerek

Assistant Director of Membership

Victoria Hassett
Victoria Hassett

Director, PantherlabWorks

Meghan Hillegas
Meghan Hillegas

Management Consultant

Terri Kennelly-Cook
Terri Kennelly-Cook

SBDC Intake Coordinator & Administrative Supervisor

Zachery Patton
Zachery Patton

Management Consultant

Lauren A. Scholtz
Lauren Scholtz

Department Administrator

Brett Smith
Brett Smith

Marketing Director

Michael Wholihan
Michael Wholihan

Director, Supply Chain Consulting

Headshot of Lynne Nincke, SBDC Management Consultant
Lynne Nincke

Manager, Emerging Enterprises Program

Brent Rondon Pitt SBDC International Trade Consultant
Brent Rondon

SBDC Sr. International Trade Management Consultant

Shelley M. Taylor
Shelley M. Taylor

Family Business Consultant

Bob Stein
Bob Stein

Executive Director, Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence; Associate Vice Chancellor, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, University of Pittsburgh

Kim Garrett, PantherlabWorks Technical Management Consultant
Kim Garrett

Technical Management Consultant

Jonny Gamble, Pitt SBDC Management Consultant
Jonny Gamble

Management Consultant

tonia a. green
Tonia Green

Senior Program Manager

headshot of Dr. Eric Swift
Dr. Eric Swift

Management Consultant (Indiana County)

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million dollars in increased client revenue
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client consulting hours
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Become an IEE Member

Membership in the IEE connects family-owned and closely held business leaders of companies generating revenue of $1 million and up with educational program, confidential custom consulting, and networking opportunities to accelerate growth and build deeper connections in western PA's economic landscape.

Learn more about Membership
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Advisory Board

Varol Ablak
Founder & CEO, Ablak Holdings
Charlie Bitzer
Chairman & CEO, ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages, Inc.; President & CEO, ABARTA Inc.
Gregg Broujos (Chair)
Senior Vice President of Leasing, The Buncher Company
Arnie Burchianti
President & CEO, AEB Holdings, Inc.
Patrick Cozzens
President, Modern Transportation LLC
Ava Demarco (Vice-Chair)
President, Little Earth Productions
Denise DeSimone
President & CEO, C-leveled
Ann Dugan
IEE Founder
John Earnest
CEO, Team Laminates Co.
Kevin Hartford
President, National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMI) Pittsburgh Chapter
Jeffrey Inman
Associate Dean for Research & Faculty, University of Pittsburgh
David Jardini
Managing Member, American Gas Lamp Works, Inc.
Charles Lenzner
Partner, Beaver Avenue Associates Development
Joseph A. Massaro III
President and CEO, Massaro Construction Group
Alexandra Mayr-Gracik
CEO, Sabika, Inc.
Audrey Murrell
Professor of Business Administration, Psychology, Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh
Brett Randall
President & CEO, The Gunian Group, LLC / Aliner
Eric Sauereisen
President, Sauereisen
Keith Schaefer
President, BPL Global, Ltd.
Thomas Taucher
Executive Vice President, Pittsburgh Market Manager PNC Commercial Banking
John H. Tippins
Managing Director & Partner, Stonewood Capital Management, Inc.

Ex Officio

Robert Stein
Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Executive Director of the IEE
Evan Facher
Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Director of the Innovation Institute