Advisory Board

Ryan is the Chief Strategy Officer at Aclarion, Inc., an early-stage medical technology company serving customers in the US, UK, and EU. Ryan has held leadership positions in both privately held and publicly traded companies. Since 2005, Ryan’s career has been healthcare focused. Initially, Ryan led executive level multiyear strategic engagements with health systems and large physician groups through a privately held boutique management consulting firm acquired by Zimmer Biomet (NYSE: ZBH). Then, Ryan was recruited to lead strategic commercial initiatives with NuVasive, a global, pure play spine technology company since acquired by Globus Medical (NYSE: GMED). Early in Ryan’s career he spent five years in the executive suite of a fifty-year-old professional services firm, before which he spent over three years as an investment advisor to high-net-worth individuals. 

Ryan has been a guest speaker at Ohio University, Becker’s Healthcare Annual Spine Orthopedic & Pain Management Conference, the Annual State of Spine Surgery Think Tank, the Annual Accelero Health Partners Conference, and numerous corporate leadership and sales meetings.

Since 2022, Ryan has served on the Industry Advisory Board for the Center for Disruptive Musculoskeletal Innovations.

In 2019, Ryan began serving on the Board of Advisors to the Ohio University, College of Business, initially with the Department of Strategic Leadership & Management, and more recently with the Center for Entrepreneurship. 

Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Russ College of Engineering & Technology, Ohio University in 1995. Ryan also completed Graduate-level coursework in ISE and Business at Ohio University, while serving as a Graduate Student Senator.

Since 1996, Ryan has been actively involved in a variety of capacities with Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

Ryan is an active community leader. From 2019 through 2022, he was the President and Treasurer of Stonebriar Country Club Estates, Frisco, TX. He has volunteered in various roles at Gateway Church, Frisco, TX.

Ryan and his wife, Kelly, reside in Frisco, TX. They have three (3) children. Ryan is an avid golfer, with a growing personal library exceeding nine hundred books. Kelly enjoys an extraordinarily successful career and is an avid tennis player.

Debbi D. Brock is an internationally recognized expert on social entrepreneurship, trainer and consultant for various organizations focusing on social innovation and scaling social impact. Brock joined Catalyst 2030, a growing network of social change leaders as the Systems Learning and Development Facilitator, in 2021. Brock held multiple posts in higher education, most recently as an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship for nine years. In 2011, she was awarded the “Distinguished Service to the Field of Social Entrepreneurship Education” by AshokaU and launched Social Change Innovators to assist educators to connect and share resources in Social Entrepreneurship Education.

Previously, Brock served as the William and Kay Moore Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management and Director of the Entrepreneurship for the Public Good (EPG) program. Her passion is social entrepreneurship and how students can identify and seize new opportunities to become agents of change. In 2003, she created the Social Entrepreneurship Education Resource Handbook for faculty interested in understanding and teaching in the field of social entrepreneurship. Brock’s research includes over 300 courses that address social entrepreneurship with over 246 specific courses in social entrepreneurship in over 35 countries. 

Brock’s recent publications include "Multi-Disciplinary Involvement in Social Entrepreneurship Education: A Uniquely Threaded Ecosystem" and “Using the Social Entrepreneurship Model to Teach Engineering Students How to Create Lasting Change,” and has won the best practitioner paper and best social entrepreneurship paper at USASBE. As the former Director of the Entrepreneurial Resource Lab at Miami University in Ohio, Brock was responsible for building the Lab’s experiential learning programs.

Laura Brege serves as a member of several board of directors and is a Senior Advisor at BridgeBio Pharma (NASDAQ: BBIO), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel, genetically targeted therapies. Prior to joining BridgeBio Pharma, Ms. Brege served as Managing Director of Cervantes Life Science Partners, LLC., a health care advisory and consulting company. From 2012 to 2015, Ms. Brege served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Nodality, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company focused in oncology and immunology. 

Previously, Ms. Brege held several senior-level positions at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (acquired by Amgen) from 2006 to 2011 including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Onyx, Ms. Brege was a general partner at Red Rock Capital Management, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage financing for technology companies. 

Prior to Red Rock, she was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at COR Therapeutics. Earlier in her career, Ms. Brege served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Flextronics and Vice President and Treasurer of The Cooper Companies. Ms. Brege serves on the boards of Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Edgewise Therapeutics, Inc. Ms. Brege earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio University and has an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

Amanda Epp is a founding team member and Chief Executive Officer of ScriptDrop, where she manages the company’s growing business that serves providers and patients in all 50 states. Before being named CEO in May 2020, Epp served as ScriptDrop’s President and the head of enterprise sales, marketing, and business development.

Previously, Epp was an early employee of CoverMyMeds, moving up the ranks to ultimately serve as a leader in the New Product business unit as Director of New Product Implementation. She played an integral role in the company’s exponential growth as a startup and its eventual sale to McKesson Corporation in 2017 for 1.4 billion dollars.

Epp grew up just outside Columbus, Ohio, and earned a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Ohio University and an MBA from Franklin University. She co-founded the non-profit foundation Go Get the World, an organization that supports and empowers young women in college or early in their careers.

Janice Fraser built a storied career in Silicon Valley as a startup founder, product manager, and confidante for entrepreneurs and enterprise executives alike. From creating the second-ever personal interface to the web in the early days of Netscape, to leading the world’s first user experience firm, Janice has often found herself “sitting at the bleeding edge and making it boring” by figuring out how to make the latest evolutions repeatable, useful, and commonplace. Janice currently supports “VLOs” (very large organizations) including P&G in becoming more innovative and agile. 

She also guides several venture-funded startup companies, federal government entities, and non-profit organizations, helping them do more with less, make bold moves and achieve extraordinary results. 

She sits on the board of the Ohio University Entrepreneur Center and served on The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine workshop committee focused on the innovation ecosystem for NASA. Over the years, Janice has been a guest lecturer at Harvard Business School, Berkeley HAAS School of Business, Kellogg School of Management, and Stanford, among others. 

Drawing on her almost three decades of coaching hundreds of leaders and teams to achieve success, Janice is a sought-after speaker offering audiences around the world the opportunity to learn from her experiences and sharpen their leadership skills, build stronger teams, make meaningful progress quickly, and drive business transformation. Her exuberant big-stage keynotes and practical, empathetic brown-bag talks have become cult favorites.

She is the coauthor of Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama: How to Reduce Stress and Make Extraordinary Progress Wherever You Lead (April 2023), which outlines a groundbreaking framework for modern leadership that empowers greater alignment and quicker decision-making.

John Gibbons graduated from Ohio University in 1985, majoring in Organizational Communication.  After OHIO, John got his master’s in Organizational Communication at Purdue University, with a focus in business strategy.

John has spent his entire career in Human Resources…as an HR practitioner, researcher, and consultant.  His work has been cited in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Fortune, Fast Company, The New York Times…and even Men’s Health.  He has consulted with hundreds of companies, including more than half of Fortune’s US and Global “100” companies.

He recently retired as CEO of Naomi, a tech start-up firm that applies AI to help HR departments identify where people with specific skills currently live and then predicts new labor markets/locations where people with those skills are likely to be found in the future.

John is passionate about the OHIO community.  In addition to serving on the Alumni Entrepreneurial Advisory Board, John regularly works with competitors on OHIO’s intercollegiate Public Speaking and Debate Team and also mentors students in Communication Studies.  He lives with his husband Steve in Glen Ellen, California.
 

Michael leads revenue growth, sales and onboarding initiatives to accelerate the adoption of uLab Systems platform in the marketplace. 

Prior to joining uLab Systems, Michael helped launch disruptive medical device technologies through various start-ups. He has held positions with Dentsply, OrthoClear, OraMetrix/SureSmile, Lyric Hearing/Phonak, Sonitus Technologies, Asante Solutions and OC Orthodontics. 

Prior to receiving his M.B.A from Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business, Michael received his Bachelor of Science in Communication from Ohio University.

Bill "Clark" Kent is President & CEO of BTL Technologies, Inc. (BTL).  BTL provides Cybersecurity and Human Capital Soutions to government and commercial customers.  For over 17 years BTL has successfully executed its vision “to transform our community to achieve economic empowerment through a legacy of prosperity.”  BTL now contributes nearly $10M annually to the U.S. economy by supporting over 100 jobs in 14 states and the District of Columbia and our regional office in Montgomery, Alabama. 

BTL is dedicated to the guiding principles of People First, Excellence, Accountability, Resilience, Integrity and Flexibility … these core-values are the foundation of BTL’s success in the competitive marketplace.  This success resulted in Clark’s selection as the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2011 Minority Entrepreneur of the Year and BTL being honored as the Alamo City Chamber of Commerce 2011 Small Business of the Year. 

Clark is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and is an avid supporter of all Cleveland sports … Browns, Cavaliers and Indians—an eternally optimistic Cleveland Fan! He completed his undergraduate studies at Ohio University (1980) and earned his Masters Degree from Central Michigan University (1993).  He retired from the USAF in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel in 2003 following a 22-year career of progressively responsible, diverse and challenging leadership positions as a Contracting Officer, Educator, Speechwriter and Media Personality. 

 After more than two decades of service to country, this Air Force trained leader never retired his commitment to serve.  In addition to focusing his attention on helping veterans and disadvantaged business owners advance in the area of federal contracting, local community involvement has now become part of his tradition of service.  He serves on the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County Board of Directors and he holds memberships in the National Speakers Association, Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated and several local Chambers of Commerce including the Alamo City Black Chamber.  Clark is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternities. 

 His passions are Faith, Family and Golf.  He is a 22-year member of Resurrection Baptist Church in Schertz, TX.  He is married to the former Sibyl Y. Hargrove of Montgomery, Alabama who also retired in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel in the USAF Reserves.  They have two adult children, Will Jr., (Account Manager, Vinik Sports Group) and Jasmine Yvette (Designer I – Target Corp) and two grandchildren, Amina (5) and Braylon (2).  The entire family has a footprint in the success of BTL and continues to make Clark’s dreams a reality.

Geoff is a co-founder of the Athens Ohio Investment Alliance (AOIA) formed in January 2023.  The AOIA is a private investment fund formed to positively impact the greater Athens Ohio Region, defined as Athens Ohio and the adjacent and nearby counties in the Appalachian Ohio River Valley. 

Prior to 2023, Geoff was the Vice President & General Manager for Quidel’s advance manufacturing subsidiary located in Athens, Ohio.  Quidel is a leading company in the In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device industry and plays a leading role in providing testing solutions for detecting infectious diseases including SARS COV-2 (COVID-19), Influenza and other human viruses. Prior to his role as General Manager, he served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc. from 2003 to 2010.  He led the corporate finance group and partnered with Dave Scholl (CEO) to guide the Company through rapid growth and success.  Diagnostic Hybrids was acquired by Quidel in 2010. 

Geoff started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 1987 and served many of the Cincinnati office’s premier clients including the Kroger Company and Jacor Communications.  After leaving PwC in 1999 as a Senior Manager, he joined Blue Chip Broadcasting based in Cincinnati as CFO and led the corporate finance team through a series of acquisitions culminating in the sale of the Company to Radio One in 2002.

Geoff graduated from Miami University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting.  He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Athens County Foundation and was past board chair for Ohio Life Sciences (formerly, BioOhio).
 

Andrew Arthur Oestrike, known as Art, grew up in the Eastern Suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. Art studied Russian in high school and continued this pursuit when he enrolled at Ohio University in 1994. While studying abroad in Moscow in the spring of 1996, he discovered his passion for linguistics, language, communication, and worldly adventures. Art followed his interest in language and went to South Korea where he taught English to children of all ages. Three years later, he returned to the community he loved and was pushed toward business-minded pursuits with influences from his father, a blue-collar entrepreneur.

In 2003, Art and his best friends purchased Bagel Street Deli, which they still own today. He also started his College teaching career within the Linguistics Department at Ohio University, which he taught full time until 2021. He continues to teach one class per year at Ohio University. Jackie O's Brewery was established in 2005 and named in honor of Art’s mother, whose memory continues to inspire his dreams.

Encompassing several buildings and different pursuits, Jackie O’s has grown into an institution in Athens and for Ohio University Bobcat Alumni far and wide! Years later, Art continues his passion for teaching, entrepreneurship, and his love of the Appalachian region by engaging students, leading employees and creating a culture of forward thinking for the future leaders of the community, region and global network.

Strategic Executive Coach and Accomplished Business Leader, Michael D. Price, is a seasoned professional with a rich background in executive leadership. Returning to New York after 14 years in Wellesley, MA, he
recently concluded a successful decade as the owner/operator of a print production studio and Regional Franchise Developer for Southern New England. His entrepreneurial venture showcased adept strategic thinking, enabling him to navigate business complexities, and achieve notable success – highlighted by the profitable sale of his business, even amidst the challenges of a pandemic.

Prior to entrepreneurship, Mr. Price played key roles in the television, radio, and cable industries as a sales media executive. With a career that spanned the Tribune Company/WGN, Cablevision, and CBS, he not only contributed significantly to revenue generation but also excelled in building and leading high- performance sales teams across global locations, including Chicago, London, and New York. 
Recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Business People of Color in Boston's western suburbs by The Charles River Chamber of Commerce in 2020, Mr. Price is a distinguished leader. His memberships in esteemed business networks like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pacesetters, coupled with roles such as President of the Rotary Club of Wellesley, Commissioner of the Wellesley Housing Authority, and board member for institutions like North Hill Retirement Community and Brimmer and May School, underscore his commitment to community and leadership development.

Currently, Mr. Price actively contributes his expertise to various organizations. Serving on the advisory board of College Interactive, a Massachusetts-based student recruitment mobile app business, and holding the position of Vice Chairman on the Board of the Sengekontacket Homeowners Association on Martha’s Vineyard, demonstrate his continued dedication to strategic leadership and community engagement. 
Additionally, he oversees operations as a Board Member for the 150 Charles Street Condominium in NYC’s West Village and is an engaged board trustee for The Public Theater of New York, a renowned Off-Broadway institution with a history spanning over 60 years, notably launching
groundbreaking productions like Hamilton and A Chorus Line.

With a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ohio University, Mr. Price, along with his wife and son, resides in Manhattan, ready to leverage his extensive experience and leadership acumen to excel in
the role of Executive Coach.

Dr. Brent Sebold, a proud Ohio University alum (BBA, ’01), is Arizona State University's Hool Coury Law Professor of Entrepreneurship and director of Entrepreneurship + Innovation @ the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Brent is an expert faculty designer and administrator of university-based entrepreneurship and innovation programs.

Jake is a Detroit-based serial tech entrepreneur working where consumer experience meets the automotive and mobility industries. He serves on several industry and philanthropic boards and is passionate about helping people be the best version of themselves. Jake was the founder and CEO of Livio and Tome, which were acquired by Ford and Valtech. 

Jake is a 2003 and 2004 Ohio University Russ College of Engineering graduate with a B.S. and M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a proud member of the Marching 110. A Midwest native and an Ohio University graduate who holds more than a dozen technology patents, Jake was awarded the Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Awarde in 2014, Ohio University Foundation’s Konneker Medal for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship in 2017. Jake was inducted into Russ College Academy of Distinguished Graduates in 2022.

Outside of work, Jake's an avid skier and cyclist.

Adam Torres is a dynamic entrepreneur and Technology Advocate with a profound passion for innovation. In 2002, he founded TeamDynamix, a prominent Enterprise Service Management, Project Collaboration, Portfolio Management, and Resource Management software firm catering to Institutions of Higher Education. As the CEO, Adam led TeamDynamix through 7+ years of continuous 35%+ growth, achieving seven-figure profit margins entirely through organic growth. From 2015 to 2017, he successfully orchestrated the sale of TeamDynamix to two private equity firms, where he continued to serve as CEO post-acquisition.

In 2017, Adam ventured into the realm of investments by establishing Torres Cap, a firm providing advisory, debt, M&A, and equity to early-stage companies. Under his guidance, Torres Cap has made strategic investments in software, real estate, logistics, early childhood education, and technology services. Since 2017, Adam has led the exit of 5 additional firms yielding significant payouts and returns for founders and investors. Adam lends his expertise to various boards, including Aviso Retention, Balanced Family Academy, Test Double, Infoverity, Roup, and Veritas Logistics.

Adam's early career commenced at Andersen, where he excelled in the business consulting practice. Adam holds a Summa Cum Laude degree in Management Information Systems from Ohio University, where he served as president of the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs, played active roles in the International Business Society, The Association of Information Technology Professionals, and contributed to the College of Business board of Presidents. Recognized as the MIS Student of the Year, Adam's academic journey included a transformative year of independent study focused on the emerging Internet application market after studying international business in London during his junior year.

Adam currently resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio, with his wife and two children, balancing his entrepreneurial vibrance with a commitment to family life.