Flexware Innovation Establishes Advisory Board
Flexware Innovation, Inc., a Fishers-based manufacturing services provider, established an Advisory Board in February. The 7 member board, consisting of executives from a variety of industries, is charged with advising the company in strategic business and operational development.
Fishers, IN (PRWEB) October 29, 2004
Flexware Innovation, Inc., a Fishers-based manufacturing services provider, established an Advisory Board in February. The 7 member board, consisting of executives from a variety of industries, is charged with advising the company in strategic business and operational development.
“We selected this group because they share our passion to strengthen manufacturing in Indiana and beyond,” explained Scott Whitlock, Flexware’s founder and CEO. “With the rate at which things change in the new economy, you must be surrounded by successful people that help you stay agile and responsive. That’s what this team will do.”
The Advisory Board consists of the following:
Michael A. Evans
President & CEO
CHORUS, Inc.
Mike Evans brings executive and entrepreneurial experience to the CHORUS team. Before founding CHORUS, Mike was a principal of the Dodson Group, an Indiana-based enterprise that quickly found a place on Inc. MagazineÂ’s list of the nationÂ’s 500 fastest growing privately held companies. Previous professional experience includes strategic human resource assignments with General Motors and Eli Lilly and Company.
In addition to his work at CHORUS, Mike is a member of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Kelly School of Business, Indiana University Purdue University campus.
Mike has received several honors for his successful entrepreneurship, community service, and academic achievements. He was a finalist in both 1994 and 1995 for Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Inc. Magazine and Ernst & Young LLP.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and is a graduate of the Indiana Entrepreneurship Academy.
Ronald K. Fauquher
Senior Vice President
Ontario Systems, LLC
Mr. Ronald K. Fauquher is the co-founder of Ontario Systems, LLC along with partner Mr. Wilbur R. Davis. The company produces receivables management software and integrated computer telephony systems for nationwide customers in revenue recovery, health care and financial management industries and has grown from the original two employees to one of Indiana's largest software concerns employing over 390 technology professionals in Muncie, Indiana, Berlin, Ohio and Cle Elum, Washington. In 1985, Ontario Systems became affiliated with Ontario Corporation as a wholly owned subsidiary. In August, 2003 Mr. Davis and Mr. Fauquher led a leveraged management buyout of Ontario Systems Corporation from Ontario Corporation forming a new independent company named Ontario Systems, LLC.
After serving seventeen years as Ontario Systems chief operating officer Mr. Fauquher moved to Ontario Corporation, then the parent company of Ontario Systems, and served as Senior Vice President with corporate wide management responsibilities including finance, information and technology, human resources, corporate facilities, flight operations, community and government affairs, property management, risk management, new business development and corporate acquisitions. In this capacity, Mr. Fauquher served as an operating officer liaison to Ontario's manufacturing and laboratory subsidiaries serving the semiconductor equipment, medical equipment, oil industry and aviation markets. Over the past four years Mr. Fauquher led five acquisition teams in the United States and United Kingdom acquiring and integrating additional laboratory and manufacturing subsidiaries into the Ontario family of companies.
Mr. Fauquher has served on the board of directors of Ontario Systems Corporation, Sherry Laboratories, Inc., CDS Leopold, Inc., the Ontario Corporation Foundation and was President of Ontario Development Corporation a wholly owned subsidiary of Ontario Corporation. Mr. Fauquher also serves on the board of directors of First Merchants Bank where he serves as Audit Committee Chair.
Today Mr. Fauquher leads the research and development efforts of Ontario Systems, LLC coordinating software development, quality assurance, software distribution and new product development at Ontario Systems Indiana, Ohio and Washington offices. Mr. Fauquher is a member of the Board of Managers of Ontario Systems, LLC.
Before the creation of Ontario Systems Mr. Fauquher held a variety of engineering and technology management positions with General Motors Corporation at Guide Lamp Division in Anderson, Indiana and the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Before co-founding Ontario Systems Mr. Fauquher served as the Corporate Director of General Motors Corporation's Computers in Manufacturing Committee responsible for corporate wide technology applications and corporate wide technology transfer for over 400 General Motors facilities. Mr. Fauquher holds a B. S. degree from Purdue University in Industrial Management (1973) and a M. A. degree from Ball State University in Management (1978).
Don Gentry
Vice Provost for Engagement, Retired
Purdue University
Dr. Don K. Gentry has been a faculty member and administrator at Purdue University for the past twenty one years; serving as the first director of the Purdue Statewide Technology Program, from 1983 to 1987; as Dean of the School of Technology from 1987 to 2001; he was appointed Vice Provost for Engagement for the University in August of 2001 with responsibility for providing leadership for the universityÂ’s outreach and engagement functions including continuing education and conferences, technical assistance, new business development services, educational partnerships, community development and corporate relations. He serves on boards and committees for numerous national, state and local economic development and professional organizations. He has had 40 years of experience in education, economic and workforce development in Indiana. Prior to joining Purdue University, he served as Executive Officer/State Director of Vocational and Technical Education for the Indiana State Board of Vocational and Technical Education for sixteen years. His leadership in technical education and economic development has been recognized at the state and national level. He is a nationally recognized speaker and author in the field of technical education, workforce and economic development.
Dr. Gentry is married, has three grown children (all Purdue graduates) and seven grandchildren. He holds BS and MS degrees from Purdue University, a Doctor of Education Administration degree from Indiana University and an honorary Doctorate from Vincennes University. He holds the honors as a State of Indiana “Sagamore of the Wabash” and as a Distinguished Hoosier.
Pat Kiely
President
Indiana Manufacturers Association
Pat Kiely joined the Indiana Manufacturers Association as president and CEO in 1991. He came to the IMA after serving as an Indiana state representative from District 36 from 1978 to 1991. During his service, he was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee from 1982 to 1988, chairman of the State Budget Committee from 1983 to 1985 and from 1987 to 1989, and chairman of the State Tax and Financing Policy Commission in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1990.
A graduate of Ball State University, Mr. Kiely also worked 13 years in the securities and investment banking industry as vice president City Securities Corporation, Indianapolis and as a financial consultant for Thomson McKinnon Securities, New York.
Mr. Kiely is currently a member or board member of the following organizations and/or committees:
American Society of Association Executives
National Association of Manufacturers
National Industrial Council
Conference of State Manufacturers Associations
Interim House Study Committee on International Trade and Labor Issues
Southern Indiana Business Alliance
Project “E” Board of Directors
MilkenÂ’s Blue Ribbon Review/Selection Team
DirectorÂ’s Circle, Indiana Council for Economic Education
Indiana Business JournalÂ’s Editorial Advisory Board
GovernorÂ’s Education Roundtable
Indiana Economic Development Council
Leadership Summit Steering Committee, Indiana Humanities Council
Indiana Employers Quality Health Alliance
Todd Lugar
Adjunct Fellow
Hudson Institute
Todd R. Lugar is the former president of Thomas L. Green, LLC, an Indianapolis based manufacturer of specialized capital equipment for the cookie, cracker, and snack food industries. His responsibilities included general business and financial operations, with particular emphasis on strategic international marketing. He was an integral part of the companyÂ’s recent successful merger with a complementary manufacturing firm located in Pennsylvania. Lugar is also involved in many local initiatives concerning the promotion of international trade, regional economic development, and non-profit community service. He is a founder of the Global Crossroads Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization concentrating on coordinated international activity. Lugar contributes to HudsonÂ’s work in the areas of advanced manufacturing, and community strategic planning.
LugarÂ’s career includes experience in the institutional securities industry with Merrill Lynch, corporate finance activity concentrating on financial institutions with a regional securities firm, in addition to the manufacturing industry. Lugar is also heavily involved with civic organizations within the Indianapolis regional community and will become president of the Indianapolis Rotary Club in July 2003, one of the 10 largest Rotary clubs in the world.
Lugar holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Finance from Purdue University.
Publications and Media Exposure: Lugar has contributed on many occasions to the media within the snack food industry. He has appeared in the Indianapolis Star and the Indianapolis Business Journal on manufacturing and international trade issues. Lugar has also appeared in local print and television media relative to his civic work.
Dr. George Rapp, MD
Retired Entrepreneur and Orthopedic Surgeon
George Rapp finished his residency at St. VincentÂ’s Hospital in Indianapolis in 1958 and was quickly on his way to becoming an outstanding orthopedic surgeon, researcher, teacher and businessman. Dr. Rapp is founder and former Chairman of the Board of Sofamor Danek, the worldÂ’s largest manufacturer of spinal instrumentation. He is credited with developing the total hip prosthesis. He also served as Chief of the Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program at St. Vincent Medical Center for 18 years. Among many other important assignments, Dr. Rapp was Director of the Scoliosis Clinic at Riley Hospital for 20 years as well as team physician for the Indianapolis Indians for 28 years.
Dr. Rapp is the recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, an Honorary 33rd Mason, recipient of the World of Difference Award for Lifetime Achievement given by the Indiana Medical Industry Forum, Distinguished Physician Award from St. Vincent Hospital, Elder at 2nd Presbyterian Church, National Board of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Board of Hanover College, donors of the Rapp Family Ravine Garden, Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Jean Wojtowicz
President
Cambridge Capital Management Corp.
Ms. Wojtowicz founded her consulting firm, Cambridge Capital Management Corp., in 1983 and soon was awarded management contracts for the Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation and the Indiana Community Business Credit Corporation. Both corporations are consortiums of financial institutions. The Indiana Statewide CDC provides fixed asset financing to small businesses and has received awards from the Small Business Administration for achieving one of the highest rates of growth of any CDC in the U. S. The Credit Corporation loans working capital to businesses in a growth stage.
Cambridge also holds the management contract for LYNX Capital Corporation, established to link capital to minority business opportunities, and has assisted loan programs offered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Indiana Department of Commerce. Ms. Wojtowicz's firm joined with T. M. Englehart Corporation in 1991 to launch a venture capital fund called Cambridge Ventures L. P. From 1994 to 1998 Cambridge Capital was retained to develop and manage the West Virginia Capital Corporation, which is modeled after the Indiana Community Business Credit Corp. From 1998 to 2002, Cambridge Capital was retained to develop and manage ShoreBridge Capital Ltd. in Cleveland, Ohio, which is a mezzanine fund for growing companies.
Some of the boards Ms. Wojtowicz serves are: Vectren Corp (NYSE: VVC); First Internet Bank of Indiana; Indiana State Chamber; Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee; OneAmerica Funds, Inc.; Goodwill Industries; Venture Club of Indiana; and national professional organizations including NADCO and NABDC. She is also on the Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
The Wisconsin native earned a degree in business administration with emphasis on finance, investment, and banking matters from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
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