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June 2008
 Dr. Scott Shane
Professor, Case Western Reserve University
Join the Venture Club of Louisville on June 4, 2008 for our monthly luncheon meeting and listen to June’s featured speaker, Dr. Scott Shane, Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Case Western Reserve University discuss ideas and topics from his latest book entitled The Illusions of Entrepreneurship: The Costly Myths That Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Policy Makers Live By
Dr. Scott Shane is the A. Malachi Mixon III Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Case Western Reserve University. His previous faculty appointments include University of Maryland, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Georgia Institute of Technology. He has also served as a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London and National University of Singapore. He is the author of over 60 scholarly articles on entrepreneurship and innovation management and has written or edited nine books, including: • The Illusions of Entrepreneurship: The Costly Myths that Entrepreneurs, Investors and Policy Makers Live By • Finding Fertile Ground: Identifying Extraordinary Opportunities for New Ventures • From Ice Cream to the Internet: Using Franchising to Unlock the Potential of Your Business • Academic Entrepreneurship: University Spinoffs and Wealth Creation • A General Theory of Entrepreneurship: The Individual-Opportunity Nexus • Foundations of Entrepreneurship • Handbook of Technology and Innovation Management • Entrepreneurship: A Process Perspective (with Robert Baron) His research examines a wide range of questions about entrepreneurship including: • Contribution of entrepreneurship to economic growth and job creation • Discovery and evaluation of business opportunities by entrepreneurs • Creation and financing of new companies • Formation and performance of university spin-offs • Design of high performing business format franchise systems • Process of angel investing • Influence of genetic factors in who becomes an entrepreneur Dr. Shane has consulted to numerous large and small organizations, and has taught in executive education programs around the world. He invests in start-up companies as an angel investor with the Northcoast Angel Fund in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Shane's Ph.D. is from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Quotes on Book “…business scholar Scott Shane debunks popular theories with research-based answers to questions such as why people start businesses, which industries are most popular for startups and what are the most common characteristics of the typical entrepreneur.” —Mark Henricks, Entrepreneur Magazine “For its myth-busting findings and analytical rigor, Mr. Shane’s book is a welcome addition to the literature on a crucial part of any modern economy.” — Nick Schulz, Wall Street Journal “Shane wants to give every aspiring business owner a reality check.” — John Tozzi, BusinessWeek “This makes an excellent reality check for anyone considering beginning his or her own business.” — Publishers Weekly “…the lessons in this book will perhaps save its readers a bundle of money that would otherwise be wasted on an ill-conceived business idea.” — Morgan Lewis Jr., Inside Business May 2008
Sean O' Leary
CEO
Genscape
Join the Venture Club of Louisville on May 2, 2008 for our monthly luncheon meeting and listen to May's featured speaker, Sean O' Leary, Chief Executive Officer of Genscape. Mr. O'Leary will talk about his entrepreneurial experience at Genscape from beginning to sale. He will also discuss areas to avoid in the start up process.
Sean O’Leary, a Genscape cofounder, was named CEO in 2003 after being previously responsible for sales, marketing, business development and logistics. In 2003, Sean was recognized along with his business partner, Sterling Lapinski, as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the company's early success. Prior to founding Genscape, Mr. O’Leary was employed by APB Energy in Louisville, Kentucky where he originated and developed new business concepts in the energy markets and managed APB’s venture capital fund, specializing in energy and tech-related startups. Mr. O’Leary joined APB from Columbia Energy Services Corporation, where he, along with Mr. Lapinski, started the company’s power trading division and ran its short-term business throughout the U.S. Mr. O’Leary is a University of Michigan graduate with a BA degree in finance and economics and a University of Louisville graduate with an MBA in Entrepreneurship. April 2008
 Ted Nixon
CEO
D.D. Williamson
Join the Venture Club of Louisville on April 2, 2008 for our monthly luncheon meeting and listen to April’s featured speaker, Ted Nixon, Chief Executive Officer of D.D. Williamson. Mr. Nixon will discuss his organization’s recent implementation of the “Ambidextrous Organization” business model which has enabled D.D. Williamson, 142 year old company to focus on both performance and innovation. Mr. Nixon will also discuss company challenges after the fire, acquisitions, new product launches, and growth over the past three years.
Mr. Nixon joined D.D. Williamson in 1974 in manufacturing, became Director of Operations in 1976 and added Sales and Marketing responsibilities in 1980. In 1982 he was promoted to President and COO and then CEO in 1992. D.D. Williamson is the world’s largest manufacturer of Caramel Color used in the food and beverage industries and operates nine plants around the world located in the U.S. (4), Brazil, Ireland, United Kingdom, Swaziland and China. Current global market share is in excess of fifty percent. D.D. Williamson also manufactures and markets a full range of Natural Colors.
Mr. Nixon is earned his BSE in Systems Engineering and Applied Statistics from Princeton University in 1974 and his MBA from the University of Louisville.
Mr. Nixon’s outside activities include The Louisville Actors Theatre, Junior Achievement, and Brooklawn Child and Family Services Center. He sits on the Board of The Brinly-Hardy Company, a privately held lawn and garden implement company, and Koss Corporation, a publicly held consumer products company. His hobbies include skiing, golf, in-line skating, hiking, SCUBA diving, cycling, wine, photography and reading. He is married to Mary R. Nixon (Western Kentucky University ’77 Accounting) Vice President, Internal Audit for YUM Brands, Inc., and they have two daughters, Caroline (30) and Houghton (28).
March 2008
 Joseph B. Hornett
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer
Purdue Research Foundation.
Please join Venture Club on March 5, 2008 as we present our feature speaker, Joseph B. Hornett, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer of the Purdue Research Foundation. Mr. Hornett will present Purdue University’s Research Park initiative and the soon to be built facility in Southern Indiana. He will discuss the history of the Research Parks, future plans and strategies. He will also talk about some of the successful and not so successful endeavors over the last few years in addition to lessons learned along the way.
Since 2002, Joseph Hornett has served as Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Operating Officer of the Purdue Research Foundation, located in West Lafayette, Indiana. In this role, he is responsible for managing the affairs of this nearly $900 million 501(c)3 charitable organization that was founded in 1930 to exclusively serve the interests of Purdue University. Hornett is charged with providing strategic direction and leadership in five mission-critical areas: endowment management, trust administration, real estate operations, technology commercialization and economic development initiatives.
Under Hornett’s leadership, the foundation has seen annual patent applications, invention disclosures, and royalty income from its technology commercialization efforts increase to record levels. Citing Purdue as a model, a recent report commissioned by the State of Connecticut and prepared by Innovation Associates, titled “Accelerating Economic Development through University Technology Transfer,” praised Purdue’s technology commercialization program and its business development initiatives.
Hornett’s leadership resulted in the national recognition of Purdue Research Park as the country’s top technology transfer program in 2005, and the nation’s top university research park in 2004. Hornett also has worked to gain Indiana’s first certified technology park designation and, in cooperation with local and state government officials, to win a nationwide competition to recruit Butler International Inc.’s engineering design center. The company, which provides design work for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., located its newest center in the research park in 2004 and employs 200 engineering professionals.
Hornett has solidified Purdue’s reputation in the statewide economic development arena through the expansion of the foundation’s flagship business incubator in West Lafayette as well as the expansion of business development programs to Merrillville, Indianapolis and New Albany.
In 2005, Hornett was among the IBJ’s Power Players in life sciences and technology and, as Purdue’s representative, he traveled with a state delegation on a trade mission to Asia. He holds an MBA from Butler University and a BBA from the University of Notre Dame.
As an advocate of lifelong learning, he holds a number of professional certifications, including the following: certified management accountant, certified financial manager, certified business manager, certified fraud examiner, and certified treasury professional. In 1997, Hornett was nationally recognized as “Financial Executive of the Year” by the Institute of Management Accountants. In 2004, he was named an “AFP 300 Laureate” by the Association of Financial Professionals. He is a graduate of GE’s esteemed financial management program and the Williams College executive development program. Hornett is active in a variety of civic, professional, and economic development organizations, and is a board member of Lafayette Bank & Trust, MainGate, the Lafayette-West Lafayette Economic Development Corp., the Greater Lafayette Development Corporation, the Indiana Future Fund I, ARCH Development Partners, Centerfield Capital Partners, EDF Ventures, the Indiana Center for Applied Protein Sciences, and the Sagamore Council-Boy Scouts of America.
February 2008
 Anthony J. Lentz Ph.D.,
Bellarmine University Please join the Venture Club on February 6, 2008 as we present our feature speaker, Dr. Anthony Lentz. Tony recently moved to Dr. Lentz, who is now on the faculty at While at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research & Technology Institute in Dr. Lentz has a long history of service at the local community and collegiate levels. He has served on several faculty committees, participated in research symposiums, and university panels. He has been a judge for the Annual Louisville Regional Science Fair, was on the
January 2, 2008
 Lisa N. JohnsonExecutive Vice President
Wells Fargo Business Credit
Please join the Venture Club on January 2, 2008 to hear the feature speaker, Lisa Johnson, Executive Vice President of Well Fargo’s Business Credit address the current condition created by the housing related refinance market and its impact on leveraged asset based lending and capital availability in general.
Lisa N. Johnson is Regional Manager overseeing the East Central region of Wells Fargo Business Credit, a diversified lender with over $4 billion in assets, 800 customer relationships, and $3.5 billion in annual receivables purchases. The East Central region includes Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Eastern Missouri.
Johnson has been with Wells Fargo for 22 years, holding positions in commercial banking and asset-based lending. Her experience includes loan origination, relationship management and strategic development. She has structured and managed numerous transactions within a variety of industry sectors including construction, transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, services, and distribution, and with a variety of client profiles, including turnarounds, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions, and debtors-in-possession.
Johnson also spent two years as a principal with UniRock Management Corporation, a Denver-based investment banking firm providing capital and advisory services to a diversified middle market client base. While with UniRock, Johnson served as principal-in-charge on a number of buy-side and sell-side engagements
Johnson is currently president of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and is an active volunteer with Girl Scouts-Illinois Crossroads Council.
Johnson graduated cum laude with a BBA in Finance and Economics from Baylor University.
December 5, 2007
 Stu Pollard, Producer and DirectorPlease join the Venture Club on December 5, 2007 to hear the feature speaker, Stu Pollard, Producer and Director, to learn more about the dynamics of independent film investments. Mr. Pollard’s presentation will focus on the key elements of a sound film business plan, including the parameters of a fair deal, the volatile distribution landscape, and the risks associated with such opportunities. The lessons learned and presented can be applied to a wide range of deals, not just the film business.
Stu’s remarks look at the film deal from the perspective of producer and investor to provide a unique perspective on the deal. The presentation will explore other topics such as the filmmaking process, how a film generates revenue, personality types to avoid, a checklist of red flags, investor involvement in the creative process, and tips for mitigating risk and maximizing profit.
Stu Pollard is native of Louisville, Kentucky. His recent producing credits include DIRTY COUNTRY, a documentary about outrageous country singer Larry Pierce, TRUE ADOLESCENTS, a Seattle-based coming of age comedy, and IRA & ABBY, a neurotic romantic comedy set in Manhattan.
IRA & ABBY, directed by Robert Cary and produced by Brad Zions, earned Best Feature Awards from both the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival and the Los Angeles Film Festival. The film was released theatrically by Mark Cuban’s Magnolia Pictures. It stars Jennifer Westfeldt (KISSING JESSICA STEIN), Chris Messina, Fred Willard, Frances Conroy, Robert Klein, and Jason Alexander. DIRTY COUNTRY, directed by Found Footage Festival founders Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, won the Audience Award for Best Music Doc at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival. TRUE ADOLESCENTS is currently in post-production. The film was directed by Craig Johnson, produced by Thomas Woodrow and Gill Holland, and stars Mark Duplass ( THE PUFFY CHAIR).
Previously, Pollard produced and directed two feature films: NICE GUYS SLEEP ALONE and KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. NICE GUYS, a romantic comedy which Pollard adapted from the best-selling Bruce Feirstein book, stars Sean O’Bryan, Sybil Temchen, Vanessa Marcil, and Morgan Fairchild. It was the first title acquired by Netflix’s Red Envelope Entertainment division and was also picked up by HBO. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, a psychological drama, stars Gil Bellows, Christian Kane, Kim Raver, Stacy Keach, and Elizabeth Peña. It is available nationwide on DVD and is currently airing on the Showtime family of networks.
Additionally, Pollard freelances as a consultant specializing in private equity financing, investor relations, and distributor delivery. He also creates fundraising videos for non-profit organizations, including LA-based children’s charity Coach Art.
Pollard attended film school at the University of Southern California, where he produced over a dozen short films, collaborating with filmmakers such as Jeffrey Blitz ( ROCKET SCIENCE), Nathan Hope ( ELSEWHERE), Breck Eisner (SAHARA), and Ted Iredell (MTV’s MAKING THE BAND). Prior to attending to USC, Pollard majored in business at Georgetown University and worked for McCann-Erickson advertising in New York. He currently resides in Santa Monica.
November 7, 2007
 Mr. Robert L. ShircliffPresident Jewish Healthcare System
Please join the Venture Club on November 7, 2007 to hear the feature speaker, Robert Shircliff, President of Jewish Healthcare System. Mr. Shircliff will discuss medical technology, research currently being conducted by Jewish Healthcare with local and national organizations, and cutting edge medical technologies.
Robert L. Shircliff was born in Louisville , Kentucky in 1956, and received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce in 1977 and a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration fromWashington University School of Medicine in 1979. While attending graduate school in 1979, he began his career at Barnes Hospital in St.Louis, Missouri as an evening administrator. Bob also served as an administrative resident before being promoted to vice president. In 1984, he moved back to Louisville to work for CARITAS Health Services as the Vice President of support services.
In 1985, Bob joined Jewish Hospital as the Vice President of support services. He was promoted in 1988 to President and Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Hospital Shelbyville, Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services’ (JHHS) first regional network acute care hospital separate from the downtown campus. Initially, one third of Jewish Hospital Shelbyville was owned by JHHS and two thirds by United Medical Corporation. Under the leadership of Shircliff, the hospital saw an increase in physician satisfaction and became a strong community asset. His management efforts led to the ownership of that hospital in 1992.
In 1991, Shircliff was promoted to JHHS Senior Vice President for the Regional Network; a regional health care delivery system including five acute care hospitals comprising 584 licensed beds, 2,300 employees, 280 active physicians and net revenue of over $240 million. Under the direction of Shircliff, the regional network saw an increase in organizational growth, financial performance and quality. He successfully developed 11 different joint ventures with network partner hospitals and was responsible for the substantial growth of each network hospital’s medical staff, market share and mix of clinical services. Shircliff was named President and Chief Executive Officer of JHHS in June 2005.
Shircliff has been instrumental in the community by serving on numerous boards and campaigns. He currently serves on the Bellarmine University Board of Trustees, the Leadership Kentucky Board of Directors and the Leadership Louisville Board of Directors. He has served as board chair for St. Xavier High School Board of Directors, Co-chair of Xaverian Legacy Capital Campaign and serves on the Project X Campaign Cabinet. Other board appointments have included Republic Bank Board of Directors, St. Leonard Church School Board and Renovation Committee, Louisville Metro United Way Board of Directors and campaign Chairman, Shelby County Industrial Development Foundation Board of Directors and Presentation Academy Board of Directors. As the recipient of many awards, his devotion to this community and health care has not gone unnoticed. He was the recipient of the Louisville Catholic School Distinguished Alumni Award, the Allen Society Award and was a Leadership Louisville Bingham Fellow in 2001.
September 5, 2007
Carol LaFever
CEO
Cascade Broadcasting Group
Join the Venture Club of Louisville on September 5, 2007 for our monthly luncheon meeting and listen to the September’s featured speaker, Carol LaFever, Chief Executive Officer of Cascade Broadcasting Group. Ms. LaFever will discuss her long distinguished career, Cascade Broadcasting, and the new CW television station.
Carol LaFever , the CEO of Cascade Broadcasting Group, brings over 30 years of experience to the CW television station. She started her broadcasting career in 1977 with Westinghouse Broadcasting in San Francisco . She then moved to an ABC owned and operated station where she worked in programming and as a producer for 9 years. While at ABC, LaFever was the winner of many awards, including Emmy awards, a Peabody , and awards for public service broadcasting. LaFever left ABC to work at an independently owned film studio. She has worked at three start-up stations, and moved two stations from one TV market to another. LaFever as CEO of Cascade Broadcasting Group is currently responsible for the WBKI (the CW Network) in Louisville and the LouNet, a new community-access station originally owned by the African American Venture Capital Fund.
August 1, 2007
 Bradford T. Ray Chairman of the Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer
Steel Technologies Inc.
Join the Venture Club of Louisville on August 1, 2007 for our monthly luncheon meeting and listen to the August featured speaker, Brad Ray, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Steel Technologies, Inc. Mr. Ray will discuss the history of Steel Technologies, its growth over the past 36 years, the steel processing niche, and the company’s recent merger with Mitsui.
Brad is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Steel Technologies, an international steel processing business with over 2,000 employees in 25 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States , Mexico , and Canada and over $1 billion in gross sales. Brad started his career with Steel Technologies in 1981 as a production scheduler. Over the following decade Brad was in charge of operations until in 1994 when he was promoted to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer. After five years, Brad was named Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and January 1, 2002 , became Chairman of the Board and remains Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Ray currently serves on the Board of Directors for Steel Technologies, Mi-Tech Steel and US Bank Regional Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Bellarmine University Board of Trustees and on the Boy Scouts Regional Board.
Brad graduated from Ballard High School , class of 1976 and then continued his education at Bellarmine University , graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Brad has been inducted into the Alumni Gallery of Distinguished Graduates.
Brad and his wife Stacey, married 24 years, have three children: Kyle, a St. Xavier High School and Stetson University Graduate who now works for Mitsui Steel, Inc., as a Marketing Assistant, Samantha, a Junior at the University of Kentucky and Mackenzie, a Senior at Eastern High School. After his family, Brad enjoys golf, hunting and horse racing.
June 6, 2007
 Joan Coleman, President AT&T Kentucky
Join the Venture Club of Louisville on June 6, 2007 for our monthly luncheon meeting and listen to the June featured speaker, Joan Coleman, President of AT&T-Kentucky. Ms. Coleman will discuss the rapid changes in the telecommunications industry , and the recent AT&T merger .
As president of AT&T's Kentucky operations, Joan Coleman oversees the company's regulatory, legislative and community affairs activities in the state. In Kentucky, AT&T has invested over $3 billion in facilities and employs approximately 4,000 people.
Joan was born and raised in Kentucky and is an engineering graduate of the University of Kentucky.
With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Joan has held assignments covering different aspects of the telecom business in Birmingham, Atlanta and Louisville.
Joan currently is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Louisville Science Center. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Louisville Inc. Board of Directors. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, as well as on the Kentucky Chamber Post Secondary Education Task Force and the Kentucky Chamber New Agenda Task Force. She is on the boards of Leadership Kentucky and the Kentucky Telephone Association where she is the immediate past president. She also serves on the World Equestrian Games Foundation Inc. Governor's Advisory Commission.
AT&T Inc. is the largest communications holding company in the United States and worldwide, by revenue. AT&T provides communications services to customers in virtually every country and territory in the world. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T is recognized as the leading worldwide provider of IP-based communications services to businesses and the leading U.S. provider of wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. And, as part of its “three screen” integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its video entertainment offerings.
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