FITCI is a incubator and accelerator for science and technology-based business.

Kathie Callahan Brady

FITCI

CEO, Advisory Board, Investor, Speaker, Educator, Connector, Startup Specialist

Kathie Callahan Brady masterfully leads entrepreneurs and corporations in strategies to achieve high-level success. Her proven track-record has allowed her to found four successful companies in various industries and generate millions of dollars in revenue.

Kathie is a distinguished entrepreneur, highly sought-after speaker, lauded author, and educator. Drawing from more than 30+ years of executive-level experience in IT, real estate, and business development.

Ms. Callahan Brady has been the keynote speaker for many organizations and events including: The National Association of Professional Women, Hispanic Professional Women's Association, Professional Black Women's Association, and CEO Space to highlight a few. Working alongside noted inspirational authors Les Brown, Mark Victor Hansen, and Jack Canfield, she coauthored the business roadmap, Mastering the Art of Success. She has been recognized on several occasions by National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, even earning the prestigious President's Award for exemplary business leadership.

Ms. Callahan Brady's interest teaching began many years ago as an IT instructor at the University of Maryland, and has since bloomed into a passionate career instilling the fundamental concepts of business mastery. Today, she works with some of the most gifted Biotech and Technology companies as CEO of Frederick Innovative Technology Center. She continues to pursue her passion for Real Estate. She was a partner in Quantum Realty Capital specializing in commercial real estate & financing. She founded Future CEO to empower entrepreneurs to start and operate their own businesses. She is an avid networker and passionate about helping others succeed.

She believes that success is a conscious choice and the role of a leader is to lead change along with drive growth. She feels privileged to work with the top 5% who actually step up, assume leadership, & make a tangible difference.

Her business model, leadership and innovation strategies have guided clients towards productivity resulting in improved profits. Kathie has helped hundreds of companies raise funding & grow significantly. One client with steady losses over 5 years was turned around to achieve profits of $20m. Her passion is to help owners turn around, increase profits and achieve a better quality life. Kathie practices what she preaches and has been a member of Vistage for the past several years helping to further develop her own leadership while taking her past company to $72m.

Carl Grant III

Cooley

EVP, Business Development

Public Speaker; Super-Connector

I am a frustrated entrepreneur who no longer has the risk profile to quit my job and do a startup.

In the mid-90s, I took a break from the startup world to manage the Fairfax County EDA's Capital Attraction Program. There, I learned that venture capitalists (VCs) prefer deals referred by CEOs, limited partners, accountants, lawyers and investment bankers. I became part of that proprietary deal flow network and built a professional network that would propel my career for 20+ years.

PwC recruited me as their first external business development professional where I figured out how to make audits sound sexy. By positioning PwC as the gatekeeper to VC for aspiring entrepreneurs, I turned PwC into a magnet for venture-backed startups.

During the early 2000s, I served on the management teams of two VC-backed startups and the board of one. At EYECAST, the first company to put video on the internet, we raised an NEA-led $36M Series A. At CyberCFO we were positioned to be an early fintech leader. Ultimately, the burst of the tech bubble and 9-11 killed both companies.

From those two failed startups, the High Tech Prayer Breakfast was born. It is an all-volunteer workplace ministry I have chaired for 16 years that has enabled me to integrate my faith and work in a way that is very helpful to others. Our annual event draws 800 people.

While at Cooley, I have helped found a bank, a VC fund, and a church; earned private pilots and boating licenses; serve on the advisory boards of an angel group and some great technology companies currently including Triblio, Loci, Fledge, TxtMeQuick, HelloFriend and Paper Napkin. I am also Chairman of the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, where I lead their investment committee and oversee an accelerator.

As a trusted advisor to startup CEOs, I am sought out because my vast contacts and professional networking skills. I help them find funding, management team hires, board members, potential acquirers and provide strategic guidance.

Edmond B. (Ted) Gregory, CPA, ASA

Linton Shafer Warfield & Garrett, P.A.

CPA, Business Appraiser, Corporate Officer Frederick, Maryland

CPA and Business Appraiser with 28 years of public practice and 16 years in private industry. Continuous learning leading to specializations in business valuation and human resource management. Audited and advised local businesses and governments, initially with an international firm and then with a large regional firm. Continuous leadership growth leading to managing partner before leaving public practice.

Exposure to the trials of entrepreneurship through long term ownership and leadership of a $13M restaurant and brewery group as a shareholder and officer.

Exposure to the full range of CFO issues with the takeover of an established company needing a complete complement of business solutions; development and financing of a $60M plant; and the challenges of a severe downturn in markets. Working with a company in an industry experiencing rapid, dynamic change and meeting the situational need for leadership.

Full circle - returned to public practice as a CPA focusing on Business Valuation and Accounting Services.

Don Schilling

FREDERICK MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

VP - Ambulatory Services

Don Schilling has a BS degree in Accounting from Mount Saint Mary's College and has his CPA certification. His career started in public accounting and then became involved in the manufacturing of construction products for twenty two years. During this time period he was involved with many mergers and acquisitions, day-to-day operations and held many executive management positions. For the last seventeen years, Don has been involved in the healthcare industry more specifically the Occupational Health Industry and Ambulatory Services operations of Frederick Regional Health System. In addition, Don has been married for 42 years to his wife Phyllis and has three grown children and six grandchildren. Both Don and his wife are natives of Frederick County and have been active in numerous community charities. Don is currently a Board Member of FITCI (Frederick County's business incubator and accelerator).

Richard Griffin, AICP, CEcD

City of Frederick

Director of Economic Development

Mr. Griffin has served as the director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick, Maryland since 2002. An accomplished urban planner and economic developer with 22 years of planning and economic development experience, Richard has worked at the city, county, and regional level. His previous assignments include having served as the executive director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership, Program Manager of Comprehensive Planning for Loudoun County, Virginia, Senior Regional Planner for the Appalachian Council of Governments, and on the staff of US Representative James McClure Clarke (11th NC). Mr. Griffin holds degrees from Western Carolina University and Clemson University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Downtown Frederick Partnership, Fort Detrick Alliance, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc., and the Frederick County Workforce Development Board.

Jodie Bollinger

Frederick County OED

Director of Business Retention and Expansion

With over 20 years of economic development experience, Jodie currently supervises the Frederick County Office of Economic Development's Business Retention and Expansion team. She is responsible for proactively connecting with existing businesses to provide resources and programs to grow, stay, become more committed to the community and enhance Frederick County's overall economic vitality. Her team works closely with economic development partners to assist businesses with their expansion including site selection, permitting and zoning, financial incentives, workforce support including recruitment and training grants, marketing programs, small business and entrepreneurial support services.

Jon Rowley

RoosterBio, Inc.

Founder & Chief Technology Officer

I am an experienced R&D scientist and engineer that has excelled in both basic and applied research environments. A keen interest in technology management has led me to explore applying Technology Roadmapping principles to the world of Cell Therapy. I worked in an FDA regulated environment while managing process and product development programs at a clinical-stage stem cell therapy company. I take a project management approach to directing projects and resources, and am very results oriented. I consider myself a student of leadership and continuously practice building, coaching, and developing a team of diverse individuals. I have a strong interest in IP and patent strategy, and am a continuous learner with several outside interests. Technology and Innovation Management as it relates to cell-based products is where I am currently building my skill sets. A proper work-life balance is very important to me.

Specialties: Technology Roadmapping, Cell Therapy Biomanufacturing, Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Therapeutics, Cell Therapy-specific BioProcess Development, Patent Strategy and IP Protection, Open Innovation, Science Blogging

David Gurzick

Hood College

Associate Professor of Management

Dr. David Gurzick is the Founding Chair of the George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business and an Associate Professor of Management Science at Hood College, where he teaches courses in the management of information systems, analytical methods, and socially responsible management. In his research, he explores the role of information and communication technology in the social lives of individuals and communities. A child of the Internet, he grew up on AOL, programmed his way through dot com, and now helps develop online tools across a variety of social media and mobile platforms.

Prior to teaching, Dr. Gurzick served in various industry capacities, most recently as the Director of Research at Sonum Technologies, a software development company specializing in the area of natural language processing. He has a B.S. in computer science from Frostburg State University, an M.S. in Computer Science from Hood College, and a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is on Board of Directors for the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc (FITCI) - a private, non-profit corporation that encourages technological innovation and accelerates the development of commercially viable tech-based businesses. At Hood, Dr. Gurzick is the faculty representative to the college's Planning, Budgeting, and Assessment Committee.

Brett Kraimer

CycleFit Frederick

iSolved HCM Solution Consultant at PNI

Brett's passion for the indoor cycling experience began as a participant. He sought out the best cycling classes and instructors throughout Maryland and DC that not only provided exceptional workouts, but provided that emotional push as well. With the creation of CycleFit in Downtown Frederick, and now a Certified Spinning Instructor, he can help bring this unique fitness lifestyle experience to everyone, right in his own backyard.

Angie Collier

DUPONT CIRCLE SOLUTIONS

Vice President

Angie currently serves as a Vice President of Dupont Circle Solutions(DCS). DCS strives to create long term relationships with their clients and recognize that comes from doing really good work and providing great customer service. They prioritize business value and strive to achieve the results clients want and need. Every client is different and they work with them to create a customized approach. Their client list ranges from scaling tech companies to large family foundations to nonprofits.

Kelly Ennis

the verve partnership

CEO

Kelly has 25 years of experience in aligning corporate real estate objectives with workplace strategy, design and project management for commercial interior projects of various sizes and complexity.

As the founding and managing principal of The Verve Partnership, she is responsible for the success of the firm from design and project philosophy, to project management process, and firm management.

Kelly's expertise is in nailing, early on, how culture and brand impact the workplace. She has experience in many industry sectors, including entertainment, corporate services, non-profit, technology and education.

She is recognized for her strategic project approach with strong management skills and brings this expertise to every project ensuring principal involvement consistently.

Specialties: Programming, pace Planning, Environmental & Culture Problem Solving, Branding Interiors

Tamar Osterman, MPA

MARYLAND DEPT OF COMMERCE

Senior Business Development Representative, Carroll and Frederick Counties

I represent MD Commerce, the state's economic development agency, in Frederick and Carroll counties. I work with businesses across industries, of all sizes, and in all stages of the business life cycle to connect them with state resources, develop business opportunities, and address their challenges.

Martin Lapera

DESIGN BANK SERVICES, LLC

Principal

Martin "Marty" Lapera is a Frederick County native. Marty graduated from Walkersville High School. He studied at Frederick Community College and then went on to earn his BA in Business at Townson University. He earned an MBA in Business and Finance from the University of Baltimore. Marty served as an interpreter in the US Army for a few years and then landed back in Frederick County where he was the COO and CLO of Frederick County National Bank for 16 years. Marty was chosen as President for Frederick County Bank when it opened in 2001 as one of Frederick County's only independent banks. He retired in 2018 after helping Frederick County Bank grow into the well-respected community bank it has become. Retiring didn't mean Marty was done being involved with the Frederick Community. He stays active in many community organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, Way Station, Hospice of Frederick County, Downtown Frederick Partnership and the Mental Health Association of Frederick County, among others.

Michelle Hoffman, CPA

FOUNDRY.ai

Chief Administrative Officer

Michelle is a Founder of DistrictCFO, a CFO consulting company. Michelle has a long track record of helping technology companies through their life cycle and to successful exits to other private companies, publicly traded companies and PE firms. Her extensive experience with government contracting allows her to help commercial technology companies leverage opportunities in government contracting. An entrepreneurial CFO at the heart of the Washington, DC and Frederick, MD tech communities, Michelle was recognized as the Greater Washington Society of CPAs "Experience Leader-Woman to Watch Award" in 2016 and featured in Frederick-based SaaS Magazine's "Women in Tech" Issue. She is an active member of the FITCI marketing committee and advisory group. In the past, she has supported the broader business community through training for groups such as the Washington DC Economic Partnership's (WDCEP) Entrepreneur Road Map Series, the Greater Washington Society of CPAs, Women in Public Policy and DC Lean Startup Meetup.

Frank R. Goldstein

Law Office of Frank R. Goldstein LLC

Founder

Frank Goldstein has been a partner in two of the country's most prominent law firms: Sidley Austin and Piper and Marbury (now DLA Piper), where he was the managing partner of the Washington Office. Frank's clients have included such firms as ING (London office), Merrill Lynch, the United States Olympic Committee, Legg Mason, T. Rowe Price, numerous publicly-owned companies, as well as small and medium size businesses. His practice has focused on securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate matters. He has appeared on CNN and Reuters T.V. and has testified before the U.S. Congress. His views on corporate issues have been sought and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Business Week, and other financial publications. Frank is the founder and chair of the Business Law Section of the Bar Association of Frederick County and is the only lawyer from Frederick County ever invited to serve as a member of the Section Council of the Maryland State Bar Association's Business Law Section. He has chaired or served on committees of lawyers that drafted several Maryland and D.C. business statutes, including portions of Maryland's Real Estate Investment Trust law and its versions of the Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership statutes. Although the locale of Frank's clients still ranges from New York to Hawaii to Brazil, he also represents numerous companies and individuals in business law and related matters in Frederick and nearby areas. In addition, Frank serves as a mediator and an expert witness in business disputes.

Jeanne O'Connell

Restorasis Integrative Medicine

Founder

Dr. O'Connell has been practicing medicine for over 20 years and has extensive training, expertise and is Board Eligible in Integrative Medicine. Dr. O'Connell received her undergraduate degree from Towson State University, completed her Master's Program in Medical Virology and received her Medical Doctorate from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. O'Connell completed her residency at The University of Maryland School of Medicine where she served as Chief Resident in the Emergency Department, and she continues to serve as Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine. She is acknowledged nationally as a "Best Doc". Dr. O'Connell is an active member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging the Institute for Functional Medicine. Dr. O'Connell and her experienced clinical staff continue to stay abreast of current literature, understanding and practical styles in health care and age management through an Integrative Medical approach. Dr. O'Connell serves as a resource by making her ideas and methods available to any practitioners interested in the field of integrative and functional medicine. Dr. O'Connell is an advocate of Integrative and Age Management Medicine and has established a leadership reputation in that field as well-introducing Bio-HRT to the greater Washington DC-Baltimore area in 2008 and Introducing stem cell therapy in 2018. Through her on-going research, Dr. O'Connell keeps Restorasis Integrative & Functional Medicine one step ahead in this rapidly progressing field medicine. We are known as pioneers and for taking the initiative to evaluate and introduce to the greater Baltimore, Maryland and Washington DC areas, innovative health services and new technologies.

John D. Nowell

Human Venture Group

Founder

John Nowell is a founder of Human Venture Group, an organization that "invests in Human Potential, to make the world a better place as we make ourselves better humans." Their projects combine the latest neuroscience with the depth of ancient wisdom traditions, with a goal to bridge the analog to digital divide, to more deeply understand ourselves, our relations to each other and to the mission. Prior to starting his own business, John spent over twenty years as an experienced senior executive with a demonstrated history of accomplishment working in austere high risk/high payoff environments. He served as President, CEO and Managing Director of several international and domestic telecommunications, IT and biopharmaceutical companies. John is also very invested in helping the community. Besides joining FITCI's Board, he is a proud Board member of Platoon22, a local organization that assists military veterans as they transition to civilian life.

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4539 Metropolitan Court
Frederick, MD - 21704

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118 N. Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701

301.694.2999
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Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm

Board of Directors

Kathie Callahan Brady

Edmond B. (Ted) Gregory, CPA, ASA

Carl Grant III

Michelle Hoffman

Don Schilling

Richard Griffin, AICP, CEcD

Jodie Bollinger

Jon Rowley

David Gurzick

Brett Kraimer

Angie Collier

Kelly Ennis

Tamar Osterman, MPA

Martin Lapera

Frank R. Goldstein

Dr. Jeanne O'Connell

John Nowell

Anne Balduzzi

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