The persons listed below have volunteered their time to assist student teams participating in Economic Fuel.

As successful business professionals their time is valuable, so please exhaust our online resources for research with due diligence before utilizing their counsel and talents.

Also, prepare yourselves by isolating succinct, crucial and specific questions.

By recognizing and honoring their limited availability we hope to preserve their participation for the duration of the competition.

Advice received from the following advisors is not representative of, nor formally endorsed by either Economic Fuel or SN Servicing Corporation.

The inclusion of this list is offered exclusively as a convenience to participants and represents an independent relationship between the advisor and the querying party.

Gayle Abramson
Business Consultant and Coach
Insight & Strategies
825-8500

Gayle is a partner at Insight & Strategies.  She has been a business consultant, facilitator, trainer and personal coach for over twelve years.  Gayle has a B.S. in Economics, Cum Laude, from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business and an M.A. in Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Her approach creatively integrates her experience and education in business and psychology.  This unique and relevant perspective helps her clients to refocus, prioritize their time and make better choices.  She supports her clients to grow personally and professionally to achieve their business and life goals.

Phil Ayers
Co-Owner/Founder
Ayers Distributing
445-2077

Wholesale food distribution- buying food and selling it to grocery stores.

Heather Bonser-Bishop
Owner/Founder
Bonser Bishop and Associates Consulting
heather@bonserbishop.com

Heather has extensive experience with nonprofit organizations in the health and human services field and specializes in rural health centers. She ran the North Coast Clinics Network, a regional trade association of nonprofit community health centers serving Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties, for seven years and left that position to establish her own consulting practice to assist organizations best provide services to their communities.

Her clients range from associations to physician practices to nonprofits. She has performed systems improvement, fundraising planning, legislative analysis, meeting facilitation, financial scrutiny, public relations and other activities for them. During her time at the helm of the North Coast Clinics Network (NCCN) she grew the annual budget from $75,000 to $750,000 and staff from 1 to 7 people; developed over $4.1M in grant and other revenues. Heather looks forward to sharing her expertise with partnership development, advocacy, grant writing and nonprofit management with other entrepreneurs.

Barbara Browning
President
OrderWITHIN
845-3611
barbara@orderwithin.com

As a professional organizer and wholistic productivity trainer, I can help you refine your vision for your business, and break ideas down into actionable next steps. I can also help with planning and time management so that you can stay on track with Economic Fuel.

Suzanne M. Burcell
Director, American Indian Education
Associate Director, Indian Economic and Community Development
Humboldt State University
smb7001@humboldt.edu
826-5195

Suzanne Burcell, a member of the Karuk Tribe of California, graduated from Humboldt State in 1978 with BA in psychology and minor in sociology; she completed Humboldt's MBA program with an emphasis in public administration in 1981 and Master’s Degree in Education with emphasis in American Indian Higher Education in 2004.

For the past 27 years, Burcell has worked in Indian business, community, and economic development through private, non-profit Indian organizations, HSU's Center for Indian Community Development, and the Karuk and Yurok Tribes.  She also has consulted with Big Lagoon Rancheria, the Hoopa Valley Tribe, Karuk Tribe, Resighini Rancheria, Rohnerville Rancheria, and Smith River Rancheria.  Burcell is the author of The Indian Business Owner's Guides, used for entrepreneurial training in market/feasibility analysis and business planning and financing; the third edition is available at ITEPP’s Curriculum Resource Center.

Since returning to Humboldt State as ITEPP Director in 2001, Burcell has worked to strengthen community outreach programs, including conversion of American Indian Education (AIE) courses to open university, distance learning offerings.  In August 2007 Burcell became AIE Program Director, a faculty position, and Associate Director for Indian Economic and Community Development, a management position.  Burcell's office is in Art A, Room 026A.

Lane DeVries
President, CEO and Part-Owner
The Sun Valley Group
ldevries@thesunvalleygroup.com

Starting in 1988, Lane went from building greenhouses for Sun Valley to serving as the Greenhouse Manager, the General Manager, and his current position as President, CEO, and part-owner of The Sun Valley Group.

Lane specializes in overall management of an operation, with experience in production, sales, distribution, and all aspects of general business.


Jason Eads
Attorney / Partner
Bragg, Perlman, Russ, Stunich, Rudolph & Eads LLP
jjeads@yahoo.com

Expertise in business law, including real estate and entity formation.

Gregg Foster
Executive Director
Redwood Region Economic Development Commission
gregg@rredc.com

I am executive director of RREDC and the president of the Small Business Development Center. I’ve also worked in local media for radio stations KHUM, KSLG, and KWPT. I have experience in reviewing business plans, funding small business, and advertising.

Thomas Frank
Director of Gaming Operations
Blue Lake Economic Development Corporation

General Manager
Blue Lake Casino
tfrank@bluelakecasino.com

I have sixteen years of Gaming experience in development, construction, start-up, and operations of casinos. I have worked in traditional and Native American gaming operations throughout the Western United States. While in South America, I opened and managed several casino operations in Peru and Brazil. I am currently sit on the Board of the Blue Lake Rancheria's Tribal Economic Development Corporation as Secretary and Director of Gaming Operations.

My areas of operational expertise include daily operations, gaming management, F&B operations, retail sales, and group sales. Related disciplines include strategic planning, marketing, operational budgets, personnel supervision, data analysis, logistical planning, and resource management. I have supervised departments as large as 50+ employees and managed operations with 350+ employees.

My areas of developmental expertise include enterprise development, regulatory management, governmental coordination, construction management, and operations startup. Related disciplines include business plan development, developmental budget planning, real estate acquisition, regulatory compliance, acquisition of financing, logistical planning, and project management. I have managed the development of projects with budgets as low as $12M and as high as $60M. My experience in Native American gaming development has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of Tribal and Federal governmental processes and of Tribal sovereignty.

Deborah Giraud
Farm and Community/Economic Development
University of California Cooperative Extension
ddgiraud@ucdavis.edu
445-7351

The UC Extension office in Eureka has many resources for anyone with a natural resource or agriculture theme.   We are located in the Humboldt County Agriculture Center and can also introduce you to other agencies in the building. 

Deborah Giraud is a horticulturist, and has been working in the county for 25 years. She has many contacts and resources.  In addition to horticulture topics, she has worked with recycling/composting projects , the dairy goat industry and ag/nature tourism.

Larry Goldberg
Owner/Founder
Sequoia Technical Services
larry@northcoast.com

Has had past business plan competition experience. Built and sold two companies and currently runs Sequoia Technical Services. Available for IT help as well as business strategy and management. Has had experience in all aspects of business.


Barbara Groom
Owner, Founder, Brewmaster
Lost Coast Brewery
brewbarb@northcoast.com

Barbara is available for any questions regarding the brewing industry, restaurant business, distribution, customer service, manufacturing, marketing, advertising, employment.

Scott Hammond
Local Sales Manager
Suddenlink Media
Scott.Hammond@suddenlink.com
268-5337 or 616-7665

30 years local marketing, advertising, coaching, and consulting...(keynotes and training).

Russ Harris
Regional President
North Valley Bank
rharris@novb.com

19 years of commercial lending experience in Humboldt County. Works with small to medium size clients with lending needs. Commercial Real Estate, opening lines of credit, term equipment financing and guaranteed loans.

Tom Hinz
Entrepreneur/self employed
Juice Plus+ Corporation
tlhinz@gmail.com
668-4083

I co-founded the business Wallace & Hinz and I am now following my passions helping others to lead a healthy life and achieve personal growth through business.

Scott E. Hunt
CPA
Hunter, Hunter, & Hunt, Certified Public Accountants
scott@hhh-cpa.com
476-0674


I am a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in California. I have been a partner in Hunter, Hunter & Hunt since 1988 and work with a variety of local businesses with their income tax and financial reporting as well as their long-range strategic planning. I enjoy working with entrepreneurs to help them achieve their ambitions.

Richard A. Hutchison
CPA
Martin & Hutchison CPA's
rah@cuttaxnow.com
445-8476

Richard A. Hutchison is a partner with over 32 years of experience in public accounting. He has built up significant experience in tax compliance and tax-exempt organizations. Richard is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and has served on numerous non-profit organization's boards of directors.

Susan Jansson
Owner/Founder
HealthSPORT
jansson.susan@gmail.com

HealthSPORT started from an idea and grew into a multimillion-dollar business. I specialize in entrepreneurialism and can offer advice to teams in the service industry.


Dan Johnson
CEO
The Danco Group of Companies
djohnson@danco-group.com


Arby Karnes
Owner/Founder
The Bead Shoppe
thebeadshoppe1@aol.com
444-2738

Money management, operating procedures, ways to find vendors, personnel, inventory control, customer service, budgeting, marketing, physical appearance of store and location. 7 Years in advertising @ KINS Radio, Writing presentations, writing commercials, scheduling appointments with clients, National Radio Advertising Bureau accreditation, client & customer relations, voice scripts for on air use, grant promotions, creativity.


Stacy D. Lane
Executive Director
North Coast Schools Insurance Group
slane@humboldt.k12.ca.us
445-7055

Stacy D. Lane joined North Coast Schools Insurance Group in 2007 as their Executive Director, after a successful Risk Management & Insurance career in both Sacramento & San Francisco. Most recently she served as Assistant Vice President of the Private Client Group for a top-ten ranked national independent brokerage firm in San Francisco. Prior to moving to the brokerage side of the industry, Stacy was the Manager of Business Development for the AIG Private Client Group, the largest insurance company in the world and the leading risk consulting group for affluent individuals in the United States.

Former clients she has worked with include members of the Forbes 100 and professional athletes, as well as successful entrepreneurs and senior management of both private and public corporations. A Risk Management and Insurance graduate of California State University, Sacramento, she attended University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and is currently completing both her Masters in Business Administration and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriting professional designation. She is a published author in the field of Risk Management and is active in industry seminars and community philanthropic endeavors.


Tim Lorenzo
Mortgage Advisor/ Property Developer
RCI Mortgage/ Lorenzo Properties
tim@rcimortgage.com
443-5328 or 498-4100

I have 22 years of business experience starting three different types of Corporations each with different needs, also I have Started and owned 5 businesses, and each one was successful and sold for profit. I developed and hold two Patents and one Trademark.

Currently I own and develop Commercial Properties, as well as do Commercial and Residential financing. I currently sit on Arcata Economic Development’s Loan Committee, and previously sat on their Board, as well as past President.

Paul Lubitz
Owner and Founder
Holly Yashi
paul@hollyyashi.com

Holly Yashi has been in Humboldt County for 24 years creating unique jewelry for the fashion and costume jewelry market. My focus has been piloting this company both in vision and design, developing style, structure, equipment and business practices to propel us ever onward in an expanding market. Current challenges include increasing revenue through international sourcing and new tooling designs. My other challenge is creating a culture of total quality management where everyone takes part in this responsibility.


John McClurg
Owner
Fire & Light
jmcclurg@fireandlight.com

15 yrs as a CPA consulting with small businesses as well as the president and CEO of Fire & Light for the last six years.


Fred Moore
Chief Financial Officer
Redwood Capital Bank
fmoore@rdwo.com

A CPA by trade, was a driving force behind the creation of Redwood Capital Bank in late 2003/early 2004. Would be helpful in evaluating business plans, financial statements, and budgetary forecasts.

Michael S. Munson
First Vice President-Investment Officer
Munson Bowen Financial Group of
Wells Fargo Advisors
michael.munson@wfadvisors.com
442-2225

Munson/Bowen Financial Group is a financial services group associated with Wells Fargo Advisors. We work with clients to help them meet their various financial goals including savings, retirement, business planning, etc. I foresee providing student entrepreneurs with guidance in areas including finance and money management. I will coordinate with other brokers in the office for additional involvement or assistance as appropriate to the needs of Economic Fuel.


Sandy Neal
BizNet Coordinator
North Coast Small Business Resource Center
biznet@northcoastsbdc.org
445-9035

Our business counselors understand the nature of doing business in California, and can provide relevant advice to entrepreneurs - from business start-up to expansion issues. We offer expertise in every aspect of running a small business, including sales and marketing, business plan development, financial analysis, human resource management, and the legalities of forming and running a business.

North Coast Small Business Development Center
www.northcoastsbdc.org
445-9720

North Coast Small Business Resource Center provides high-quality and innovative technical support and education to start-up and existing small business in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. In relationship to Economic Fuel we can provide one-on-one counseling support to help you in developing your business plan, as well as help to create the required financials.

Scott Pesch
Broker/Owner
Coldwell Banker Commercial Pacific Partners Real Estate
scott.pesch@coldwellbanker.com

Coldwell Banker Commercial Pacific Partners is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage that provides leasing, sales and business opportunity services. Among all of the real estate offices in Humboldt County, we are one of only two companies in Humboldt County that specializes in only commercial real estate transactions such as retail, office or industrial. If you need any help with space lease rates or building sale prices for your proposed business plan, please feel free to call Coldwell Banker Commercial Pacific Partners....the commercial experts.


Bryan Plumley
Investment Counselor
Edward Jones Investments
825-6511

Specialize in business finance and investment counseling. Experience on the loan committee for the Arcata Economic Development Corporation, resulting in familiarity with all aspects of the business plan.

Leslie Posvancz
Business Relationship Manager
US Bank
leslie.posvancz@usbank.com

Leslie has been with US Bank for the past four years in their commercial lending division. She has recently been promoted to her new role where she will be developing small business relationships within the bank. Leslie has also been active in the Eureka Chamber of Commerce for the past five years. As a Chamber Ambassador, Leslie is an advocate and promoter for local businesses in the community, volunteering her time at grand openings, ribbon cuttings, and mixers.

Bill Ruff
President, CEO
Vector Rehabilitation
bruff@humboldt1.com
442-6463

Currently the President,CEO of Vector Rehabilitation; non profit physical therapy program. Bill also has a consulting business; Resources and Solutions, that provides case management and long term care options for seniors and marketing/business development for health care providers.

Maureen Smithey
Founder/President/Designer
Pacific Rim Manufacturing
Castleware
info@castleware.com

PRM is a design and product development firm for the sewn goods industry. We offer our clients a complete package; including apparel marketing development, apparel design and development, sourcing, manufacturing and importing. If you need help with the feasibility of your product design concept or the logistics of how to manufacture your product we can help.

Castle ware is a line of interior soft goods for the home. We design, manufacture and sell table linens and bedding for both adult and baby. Our products are made from clean and sustainable fabrics such as Silk, Hemp and Organic Cotton. We can help with questions about the process of starting a line of your own. How to questions on the costs, research of the market place, sourcing materials, sales, and manufacturing.

Jonathan Speaker
Principal, Chief Operating Officer
StreamGuys, Inc.
jspeakerATstreamguys.com
667-9479 x255

Jonathan has worked in several start up companies, some successful, some not so successful. It is with this real world experience he can offer counsel in successful start up mentalities and advice on how to run lean and become cash flow positive.

In business since 2000, StreamGuys, Inc offers a variety of streaming media solutions and tools enabling superior quality delivery and monetization of digital media. Through devout dedication to improving the customer experience, StreamGuys has enjoyed continued success across all sectors of internet broadcasting. Headquartered in Northern California, they currently serve a base of over 500 clients worldwide, including such companies as Cisco, CIA, NBC Universal, Pfizer, New Balance and broadcasters such as WNYC, KQED and Chicago Public Radio. Visit www.streamguys.com for more information on their products and services.

Tim Storey
Allstate Insurance
Contact Mr. Storey in person @ Allstate Insurance

I purchased two Allstate agencies 4 years ago and before that I was the district manager for Allstate for 5 years. I started in the insurance business in 1990 owning my own employee benefit and financial services business. I attended San Jose State University and after school I worked for a Steel company as a sales rep for 13 years.

Nicole Vincent
CEO
Humboldt Mobile Massage
nicole@humboldtmobilemassage.com

I love my business and I have enjoyed self-employment for the past 8 years. I just recently launched Humboldt Mobile Massage in September 2009. I would love to help aspiring entrepreneurs reach their dreams.


Troy Vizenor
Controller
George Petersen Insurance Agency
tvizenor@gpins.com
442-2971

I supervise an accounting staff serving several agency locations in Northern
California and Central Oregon. I am responsible for the cash management,
accounting, and financial reporting of the individual business units. I
have fourteen years of accounting, finance and small business management
experience.

Stephanie Witzel
Controller
Arcata Economic Development Corp.
stephanie@aedc1.org
822-4616 ext. 113

Stephanie has been a CPA for 17 years and currently serves as Controller for Arcata Economic Development Corp, a non profit that makes loans to small businesses on the North Coast. In addition to managing the finances of a non profit enterprise, Stephanie has a wide variety of experience with many small business enterprises.