| Meet Our Volunteers |
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The volunteers of Santa Cruz SCORE have rich and varied business backgrounds. Counselors share their business expertise and knowledge in all aspects of small business. In addition, all counselors have specific areas of expertise, which are listed below:
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| Sam Badawi | Sales, marketing, general management |
| Karen Calcagno | Planning, customer service, family issues |
| Al Carman | Sales, marketing, real estate, investments |
| Dick Clark | General management, finance, negotiations |
| Ron Dornself | General management, operations, market research |
| Marilyn Fahrner | Professional Coactive Coach (CPCC), licensed family therapist (MFT), and CPA |
| Rob Fish | Leadership, strategy, marketing, non-profits |
| Karen Grellas | Management, marketing, and sales in restaurant and transportation logistics |
| David Harken | Financial and management experience in the advertising industry |
| George Jansen | General and financial management, strategy |
| Linda Johnson | Marketing, product launch, retail, collateral |
| Kristina Kuprina | Entrepreneurship, portfolio management |
| Jim Martin | Marketing, proposals, publicity, systems |
| Michael Milligan | Retail, restaurant, food business, and business equipment experience |
| Tom North | Awareness, Impact, Innovation, Making a Difference |
| Michael Sarka | Planning and development for non-profits, public relations and publications |
| Richard Scott | Leadership, coaching, Non-profits' revitalization |
| Alan Smith | Data security, risk management, compliance issues |
| Joey Tuttle | Leadership, management, technology, communications |
| Peter Vokos | Retail start ups and existing businesses, management and finance |
| Rex Walters | Business broker and strategic business planning consultant |
| Jeffrey Werner | Software revenue recognition, contract review, audit assistance |
| Jack Zahorsky | Business strategy, management, business plans, presentations, negotiations and licensing agreements |
| Robert Zimel | Product distribution, distributor relations, industrial sales, industrial inventory management |
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| Sam Badawi |
| Sam Badawi is the Founder of MEB International, a firm specializing in providing management advice,
marketing assistance, and appropriate structure for companies doing or intending to be doing business internationally.
He has clients in the U.S., Europe, and Egypt, and thirty-five years of business experience in sales, marketing, finance,
and general management. Sam has negotiated major joint venture agreements, created profitable subsidiaries, and overseen
mergers and acquisitions. Sam also has been General Partner of Equity Venture Management, which created two $10 Million-plus
venture funds that paid very attractive returns to investors. Sam is currently Executive Director of Santa Cruz SCORE, and
enjoys providing sage advice to local businesses and entrepreneurs. |
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| Karen Calcagno |
| Karen Calcagno is a dynamic, experienced entrepreneur who has bought,
operated, and profitably sold a number of businesses in diverse fields. These include automotive services,
gas and oil sales, a car wash, an auto dealership, an art gallery, commercial real estate, property management,
as well as family business coaching, facilitation, and training. She founded and served as Executive Director
of the Santa Cruz chapter of SCORE. Karen also served as a President of the Soroptimist organization,
a Board Member of Broadway on the Bay, a Board member of the 41st Avenue Association, and a Board consultant
at The Aptos Academy. Karen is an expert on business issues, with special interests in realistic
planning, in developing successful teams, and providing outstanding customer service. |
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| Al Carman |
| Al Carman gained much of his business experience in the real estate field,
first as an award-winning salesman, then in various managerial positions, and finally as Northwest Regional Manager
for Coldwell-Banker. Al has been generous in his work for the Santa Cruz community, having served on the Boards of
the Central Coast Center for Independent Living, the Veteran’s Building, and as membership Chairman for SCORE.
He has a strong interest in finance, teaches economics to high school students, and is a successful investor.
He provides local mentoring to non-profits and entrepreneurs on sales and marketing issues, and also does extensive
cyber-counseling for individuals all over the U.S. |
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| Dick Clark |
Dick Clark‘s career has been marked by notable success in the general management
of high tech businesses, where his financial acumen, negotiating savvy, and strong inter-personal relationships served
him well in competitive arenas. His earlier background was in electrical engineering (BEE and MS from Cornell).
SCORE has been fortunate in having Dick translate his start-up and operational experience to the needs of small and
medium-sized clients.
He provides counseling in the areas of financial planning, and budgeting, sales and marketing,
customer presentations. and contract negotiations. In addition to serving SCORE, he was elected to the Board of the
Scotts Valley Fire Protection District, serves on several committees of Hospice of Santa Cruz, and is a past member
of the Board of the local Goodwill. |
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| Ron Dornself |
| Ron Dornself is an expert in the fields of general management, operations management,
process improvement, market research, and strategic business development, including 30 years in the semiconductor
and aerospace businesses. Ron's capabilities extend well beyond high-tech. He applies an analytical eye to new opportunities,
evaluating and guiding start-up entrepreneurs. His career includes management and operational experience with Intel and a
number of smaller companies. He also has served in the capacity of Board Member and key participant in special interest
groups such as homeowners' associations. Ron holds an MBA, as well as MSEE and BSEE (with high honors) degrees.
He has great insights and is very approachable. |
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| Marilyn Fahrner |
| Marilyn Fahrner is a Certified Professional Coactive Coach (CPCC) certified through the
Coaches Training Institute of San Rafael, CA. Her focus has been working with small business owners, clarifying
and implementing goals, identifying their approach to business that reflects there style and values. She has worked
with retail, non-profit, service, and education businesses and finds the work enlivening, exciting and expansive.
She is a licensed family therapist (MFT) and has provided counseling services for the Family Services Association of Pajaro Valley.
Marilyn is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who has worked with accounting firms in Santa cruz and Monterey Counties. |
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| Rob Fish |
| Rob Fish, Ph.D. is an experienced consultant to organizations in the for-profit and
not-for-profit worlds. He co-founded one of the world’s most successful career and organizational consulting firms,
Right Management Consultants, Inc. Previously, he founded a firm that provided airlines with software for schedule
optimization and other management functions. He co-founded the well-regarded Aptos Academy, where he is Chairman of the Board.
Rob offers clients high quality interaction and sound, practical recommendations. Rob has special interests in situations
involving organizational and marketing strategy, facilitation, team-building, conflict resolution, and individual coaching. |
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| Karen Grellas |
| Karen Grellas has extensive experience in sales and sales management for transportation
warehousing, packaging, and supply chain management organizations. In addition, she was the proprietor of a successful restaurant
and was heavily involved in its management, marketing and financial operations. |
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| David Harken |
| David Harken has spent 34 years in various financial and managerial positions in the
advertising industry. David earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Iowa and was an Army Intelligence
Specialist in Vietnam. He was instrumental in building an advertising network that was the 10th largest in the world.
His areas of expertise include:financial analysis, budget planning, corporate 401k and corporate welfare programs.
David was project leader on conversion of two legacy payroll systems covering 100 U. S. companies and project manager
in conversion of payroll and benefit systems for over 30 acquisitions of advertising and public relations companies.
He was project lead on Six Sigma process improvement initiatives. |
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| George Jansen |
| George Jansen is a financial and operating executive with an impressive history of
finding new sources of revenue and innovative means for reducing costs. He has relied on his strong strategic and
negotiating skills as General Manager, CFO, Investor and in other roles in a string of industrial and automotive
industry assignments, all of which have resulted in enterprise success and personal advancement. He holds an
MBA in Finance and Management from the University of Santa Clara and an MS in Engineering from The University of
California, Berkeley. His undergraduate BS in Civil Engineering was awarded at The University of Adelaide, Australia.
George takes pleasure in encountering a thorny business problem, analyzing it, and developing a practical, achievable solution. |
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| Linda Johnson |
| Linda Johnson is the principal consultant with her own company, Pathways to Growth.
She is an innovative sales and marketing professional with experience in retail and trade business from small
companies to large corporations. She has expertise in the development of all marketing communications elements
including advertising, direct mail, e-promotion, collateral, multi-media, product branding, public relations,
sales training, video and websites. In particular, she has participated in new product launches, from health
food products to semiconductor capital equipment, requiring global sales and marketing penetration. |
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| Kristina Kuprina |
| Kristina Kuprina is a woman with an entrepreneurial spirit. She formed her
first business right after graduating from San Francisco State’s International business program. She has
built and sold successful businesses in the fields of logistics, medical practice, import/export, and others.
During this time she discovered a passion for the world’s financial markets, which led her into the
securities industry. Today, she is an extremely successful Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager.
Kristina takes pleasure in finding the unique solution for each of her many clients. She is a valuable
volunteer counselor at SCORE, solving people’s business problems, and also is a member of the community
service-oriented Exchange Club of Santa Cruz County. |
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| Jim Martin |
| Jim Martin is a skillful writer and publicist whose background was in the semi-conductor
and aerospace industries. He worked in both market development and strategic account marketing, and along the way produced
materials for product role-outs, brochures, technical manuals, and press releases. Jim also served as editor of a technical
magazine in the electronics field. For the past ten years, he has been a consultant and free-lance writer.
Among his strengths are the development of business marketing plans, writing proposals, and the establishment of
systems to measure progress and success in the implementation of those plans. Jim does writing and marketing for SCORE,
and is the editor of the periodic SCORE newsletter. |
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| Michael Milligan |
| Michael Milligan has experience in large department store general sales, department management,
service management, buyer, and operations management. Restaurant owner/chef and consultant for retail and food related businesses.
Owner and innovator in retail business systems — point of sales, telemarketing, back office, and sales/inventory
systems. Michael has expertise in practical solutions to operational issues in retail businesses. |
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| Tom North |
| Tom is a Silicon Valley marketing and sales executive, serial entrepreneur, turn-around CEO,
and CEO coach. In addition, he is a Santa Cruz small business owner, mediator and with his wife Sharon is co-founder of
Willow Pond Ranch, a Sanctuary Where Rescue Horses Inspire Growth and Enduring
Transformation for children, adults, and organizations. His focus is on heightening awareness to spark creative actions which
impact results. |
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| Michael Sarka |
| Michael Sarka began his counseling career in the Middle East by working with local communities
to grow their small businesses. Closer to home he has served as an officer, CEO and/or director of several not for profit
organizations with an emphasis on increasing income generating programs, strategic planning and Board development.
His background also includes event and trade show development, research, marketing, public relations and publications.
He is the President of a consulting company, which this year is celebrating its twenty-fifth year anniversary. |
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| Richard Scott |
| Richard Scott is a founding partner of the Paragon Consulting Group and Paragon Coaching LLC.
Paragon specializes in leadership development, team development, executive coaching, change management, and experiential training
for managers and executives. Previously, he founded and managed two successful consulting firms. He has designed and delivered
programs for diverse Fortune 500 companies, including high tech firms, such as Apple Computer, AT&T, and Sun Microsystems,
as well as for many smaller non-profit and for-profit organizations. Richard holds an M.A. in organizational psychology.
He has special interests in group dynamics, experiential learning, and the development of customized programs for the successful
development of organizational strategy and the management of organizational change. |
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| Alan Smith |
| Alan Smith is an expert in the field of data security, identity theft, risk management,
compliance, and protection of a company’s assets, including the efficient access to legal services. Additionally,
he has an in-depth background assisting companies in staging trade shows effectively, including involvement with the
marketing concepts and logistics of the presentation. His experience with trade shows led to his consulting practice in
corporate protection and his formation of a marketing research and marketing communications professional group to share
best practice information. Currently, Alan is Chairman of the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District. For SCORE he
provides clients with consultation on sales and marketing issues, as well as recruiting new volunteers. |
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| Joey Tuttle |
Joey Tuttle is a research and development executive with superb ability to find innovative
solutions to complex information technology problems. Over the course of his career, he has specified the architecture
and managed both small and large-scale projects for a broad range of client companies. His skills include insight into
clients’ business objectives, and finding appropriate and durable technology solutions. Currently, he works on
generating simplified but powerful man/machine interfaces. Joey enjoys the opportunity with SCORE, on a voluntary basis,
to partner with clients in defining technology problems, explore solutions, and work together in specifying the most
practical means to solve the problem.
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| Peter Vokos |
Peter Vokos gained diverse experience with Standard Oil Co. He Started his career
working in company operated service stations. Served as assistant to the regional wholesale manager and assistant
to the regional retail manager. He owned and operated two service stations and garages in California. Peter opened
a men's retail clothing store, expanded into woman's wear and had 4 retail locations at one time. After 20 successful years,
he went to work for Wells Fargo in the mortgage division, specializing in construction lending.
SCORE is fortunate to have someone with such a varied operational experience. Among his areas of expertise are,
retail start ups and existing businesses. Peter has an analytical mind that produces creative solutions for his clients.
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| Rex Walters |
Rex Walters is currently a business broker helping both small business buyers and sellers
in the Santa Cruz, CA area. Rex is also the Managing Partner with Bay Area Strategic Group, a Santa Cruz, CA based
management consulting firm specializing in the areas of strategic business planning and consultation for small to
medium-sized businesses, non-profit agencies, and entrepreneurial start-ups. Rex graduated from the University of
California Santa Cruz with a BA degree in philosophy in 1971, received his MA in Psychology from San Jose State
University in 1981, and an MS and PhD in Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology
in 1992 and 1996 respectively.
He has started and run seven businesses in the Santa Cruz area.
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| Jeffrey Werner (CPA) |
Jeffrey Werner is an independent consultant (Werner Consulting Group) with extensive subject matter expertise in the
unique world of software revenue recognition, providing assistance to public and private companies. He is able to craft
creative solutions to revenue issues based on authoritative accounting literature and practical experience.
Revenue Recognition Consulting Services include: Pre contract negotiations, contract review, VSOE study and analysis,
audit assistance and Softrax Implementation. Jeffrey has previously served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
for Antrim Design Systems of Scotts Valley and Telepost Inc. of Santa Cruz. He has a bachelor of Science degree in Accounting
from San Jose State University (Magna Cum Laude).
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| Jack Zahorsky |
Jack Zahorsky is an engineering graduate who, after holding various engineering positions and obtaining an MBA,
migrated to the marketing and business development field. After working for Logitech for 6 years, ending up as
Director of Business Development, he started his own consulting business, which he has run for the past 6 years.
Jack uses his extensive expertise in business stragegy, management, business plans, presentations, negotiations and licensing
agreements to help his client companies fulfill their marketing requirements. Additionally, Jack is a lecturer and
judge at Santa Clara University’s Executive MBA Program in the area of evaluation of International business plans.
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| Robert (Bob) Zimel |
Robert (Bob) Zimel has over 45 years experience in design, sales, service and distribution
management of equipment for the plastics industry. Starting as a service technician he developed a full service
distributorship located in Southern California for 38 years. His company’s performance was consistently in the
industries top 5 worldwide distributors for many years. After successfully selling his business, he finished his
career working for the top manufacturer of this specialized equipment developing, managing and training distributors
in North America and the Far East. For SCORE Bob chairs the Workshop Committee which develops and hosts the Santa Cruz
SCORE Workshops and presentations to other community groups.
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Nationwide 10,500 men and women donate their time and expertise to assist America’s entrepreneurs. Call our chapter office at Phone to request a volunteer application.
Become a Volunteer |
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