Entrepreneurship and Innovation Advisory Board

Michael Maguire

Chairman, Structural Graphics

Mike Maguire is a senior executive whose passions include leadership, entrepreneurship and forwarding nonprofit causes. Mike is Chairman and former CEO of Structural Graphics, a marketing services firm. He is a leading authority on the use and effectiveness of integrated direct marketing tools. Mike is also a partner in Ann Nyberg's Network Connecticut, a website whose mission is to connect, assist and inform the state's small business and nonprofit communities. He also serves on Pompea College of Business Advisory Board at the University of New Haven

Pamela Avallone '95

Director of Intellectual Property Investments, Brickell Key Asset Management

Dr. Pamela Avallone, Esq. is a Medical Doctor and Registered U.S. Patent Attorney with over 25 years of combined scientific, medical and legal experience. Throughout her legal career, Dr. Avallone’s practice has focused on intellectual property development, litigation and transactions, science and technology law, and FDA regulatory matters. Dr. Avallone is a consultant for select private equity firms focusing on technology investments.

Dick Albu

President, Albu Consulting

Dick Albu is the founder and president of Albu Consulting LLC, a strategy management consulting firm focused on engaging and energizing leadership teams of middle market private and family businesses. For over 20 years the firm has been dedicated to helping its clients increase enterprise value by formulating robust business strategies and following through on execution of key strategic initiatives.

Douglas Campbell III

Managing Director, The Success Coach

As Managing Director of The Success Coach SM, Douglas works with business owners to grow their businesses and build strong management teams. In the Executive & CEO coach role he serves as a Board of Advisors to find solutions to key business challenges. In addition, as a Professional Speaker, he facilitates workshops on team building, strategy and creativity for area companies. Douglas has started 5 businesses and written 2 books on Reinventing Your Business, and he presently serves on the Board of the Angel Investors Forum. Previously he was Director of Marketing for a Fortune 100, an MBA and undergraduate University Professor, and worked for the United Nations and U.S. Congress.

Jill Mayer

CEO, Bead Industries

As Corporate President, Jill Mayer is responsible for strategic planning, executive leadership and capital allocation at Bead Industries, Inc. In addition to serving on the University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation board, she serves on Bead’s board of directors, the New Haven Manufacturers Association board, and the Center for Family Business advisory board. Jill holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Vermont and a Master of Science from Champlain College.

John Rosen

Executive Director, MCAworks

John is responsible for client engagements involving new business creation, branding, new product development and channel management at strategic marketing consultancy, MCAworks. John has over twenty-five years of sales and marketing management, as well as strategic consulting experience. He has helped firms deliver real unit growth both domestically and globally across a wide range of industries: consumer packaged goods, financial services, telecom, small business software solutions, apparel, retailing, electronics, beverages, consumer durables, and automotive & industrial products.

Ripi Singh

Chief of Innovation and Strategy, Inspiring Next

For the past 20 years, he has been at the forefront of aerospace and defense, healthcare, energy and power, manufacturing, and IT domains; supporting industry, academia, and government; in USA, Europe and Asia. Over these years, he has been blessed with numerous National and Corporate honors, opportunity to author 70+ publications, deliver 250+ lectures, secure a few patents and edit a few books. This experience led him to develop an Enterprise Innovation Framework called “+4p” which accelerates growth through coherent application of best practices in innovation, productivity and quality; for both near term and long term competitive advantage. His influence spans mentoring young minds to coaching business owners, enabling successful startups, turnaround, and growth companies, across commodities like garments to futuristic technologies like drones, and more so without any geographic or cultural boundaries.

Stanley Sussman

Chief of Innovation and Strategy, Inspiring Next

Stanley H, Sussman represents the pinnacle of industry in the state, employing hundreds of people in his Orange, CT facility, the Headquarters of Schmitt-Sussman Enterprises. A Chartered Life Underwriter, CLU, Sussman has held positions in the Million Dollar Round Table's top Of the Table for 37 years. He has been President of Bridgeport Life Underwriters and Chairman of Connecticut Life Leaders. In 2007 his company placed first in the Large Business Division of the University of Connecticut's Family Business Program. Outside the insurance industry Sussman has held leadership positions on Technion's National Board of the American Technion Society and the International Board of Technion. He was named an Honorary Fellow of the Israel Institute of Technology and received the Albert Einstein award of the American Technion Society. He served as Chairman of Connected Warriors in Boca Raton, Florida, an organization that provides support to servicemen and their families.

Phillip Viscomi '74

Owner, Business Growth Advisors

Mr. Viscomi is a technology-commercialization executive with 30+ years’ experience. He has formed, led, grown, and returned value to investors and stakeholders in emerging, mid-size and Fortune 50 corporations. During his tenure with HP/Compaq Computer he led the global business development team, generating annual revenues of more than $10.5 billion. As President, CEO, Board member, General Manager, and COO, his record of accomplishment includes, developing innovative strategic plans, leading plan execution, and monetizing returns to investors in a broad range of technology industries.

Mr. Viscomi received a B.Sc. in Operations Management/Industrial Engineering, from the University of New Haven, completed the Wharton School/Corporate-internal Master Business Administration program, and executive development programs at Kellogg School of Management - Northwestern University, and Harvard Business School.