Adele Behar

I have 40 years experience in for-profit and nonprofit arts and design businesses and arts management.  I have an extensive resume in intior and architectural design, and renovation and project management for commercial and residential clients across the country.  I have owned and managed an art gallery, been business manager and copywriter at a boutique NY ad agency, advised working artists, and designed and manufactured miniature scale furniture as well as punch-out template kits for architectural space planning.  I taught interior design for 24 years at the University of Connecticut and wrote a newspaper lifestyle column as well as articles for trade journals.  I have developed and designed several commercial real estate projects and I now manage my own charitable foundation to support science research.  I counsel at SCORE on interior/architechtural design.  This includes building supplies, furniture, hardware, landscapeing, and garden business.  I often advices nonprofit start-ups and counsel in by-laws and other requirements.  Over the years, I've worked with many types of businesses:  clothing design; mail order and direct mail marketing; interior and architectural design; and commercial, hotel, restaurant and retirement living real estate developments.

Bob Boesch

While I was VP of Operations for CornNuts, Inc.,  sales grew from $5 million a year to $50 million a year. I revised plant operations in 3 locations and built a 48,000 square-foot processing and packaging plant in Fresno, Ca. to accommodate this immense increase in production.

I have been a SCORE counselor for 17 years, and now counsel from the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce offices.   I counsel manufacturing operations for both food and metal products; new product development; marketing plans and business plans.  I have conducted multiple pre-business workshops as well.

Janet Furman

My entrepreneurial career involved dreaming up a music industry product, developing a prototype, manufacturing it, and setting up wholesale sales and distribution. I did all this with very little savings as start-up capital. I ran my company for 25 years, then sold it and retired. At the time of the sale, I had 75 employees, $10 million in annual sales, and about 100 products.

If you’re someone with a product idea that you’d like to turn into a business, you’re an ideal client for me. We have a lot in common and I’ll be able to give you a great deal of helpful advice.My style is low key and informal. I don't insist that everyone I see write a conventional business plan. Instead, I listen to your needs and try to address them as quickly as possible in the time available. I have special expertise in marketing, and can help you plan and refine your approach.

Marvin Brook

I worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years, ultimately becoming the financial controller for Northern California. In that job I managed 65 employees with 15 managers and professional staff. I had oversight for timekeeping, accounting, statistical testing, auditing, and a budget of over $800 million.

At USPS I developed and presented a highly popular series of financial education seminars. My expertise in teaching as well as in financial analysis and planning should be helpful to business owners who need to align their business plan with their personal financial goals. In dealing with those starting a new venture, I try to ask: How does starting this new venture fit into your lifetime personal and financial goals? By constantly reminding yourself about why you are doing this, you can help do the important things to achieve your goals.

Steven David

As a solo entrepreneur, I became expert at  marketing, advertising (pre-internet of course), pricing, business planning and financial forecasting. In operating a 6500 sf retail location with dozens of salespeople on commission, I also became a specialist in retail layout, employee training and accountability. Since closing my business I have consulted for other retailers and education companies and have found simple solutions to their problems revealed in their balance sheets. I can analyze much about a business and how to improve its operations through its financial information. 

I enjoy counseling at SCORE, helping new business planning, and figuring precisely how to improve an ongoing business’s bottom line.  I particularly like meeting people who are passionate about their work and about developing their operations and skills.

John Dellar

I spent 40 years as a sales representative, retailer and wholesaler in the beauty industry, where I developed a chain of seven retail beauty supply stores with salon services on-site in San Francisco. My wholesale division sold manicuring supplies to licensed technicians using telemarketing, outside sales reps, and trade shows. I currently have a consulting business working with retailers to find locations and do site development for store openings.

I have been a SCORE counselor for 10 years. I counsel clients in retail, wholesale, warehousing, food service, service segment, leases, business plans and financials. I help clients who are importing and manufacturing beauty, bath and skin products. In addition, I counsel food service clients, as I spent 18 months in the UCLA school of Restaurant management and have assisted my professional chef son in opening his two restaurants. . I enjoy a high rate of "follow-on" clients whom I continue to mentor.

Demetrios Dimitriou

I am an attorney with a statewide practice and expertise in legal ethics. I lecture nationally and have written extensively on ethics and law practice management issues, including strategic planning and ethical rules concerning law firms’ fees and marketing.

I counsel attorneys who are starting, moving, selling or terminating their practice; I am an expert witness on legal ethics and I act as counsel to individual attorneys and law firms concerning their documentation, fees, professional liability, and professional practice management issues.

Gordon Dupries

I am a founding member of Frannet USA and president of the SF Office, the nation’s most respected franchise consultants, with over 60 offices worldwide. I am a past MBA lecturer at San Francisco State University and a successful entrepreneur since 1985.

I teach SCORE seminars on all aspects of owning, running, and selling franchises. I also provide a free consulting and referral service matching entrepreneurs with over 100 carefully selected national franchise companies, SBA lenders, IRA conversion resources, franchise attorneys, CPA's and real-estate professionals. My typical client is looking for a business that fits their goals for personal, professional and financial achievement. I also facilitate business acquisition workshops sponsored by the Small Business Administration and Small Business Development Centers.

Jason Feinberg

Before starting my own business in 2004, I spent 25 years in banking in New York and San Francisco. Much of the focus of my work was in international business, product development, marketing, and operational management. When the business division I was leading was relocated to the East Coast, I decided it was time to follow my entrepreneurial interests. ‘Starting a startup’ was one of the best decisions I ever made! I co-founded a high-tech imaging and scanning firm that transforms offices into paperless environments. Offering businesses an eco-conscious service has made this enterprise extremely rewarding, and I’ve come to realize that personal satisfaction is a pivotal component of defining my own success.

At SCORE, I counsel clients and business mentor them on the business startup process, business plan, marketing, lending options, venture capital and angel prep work, web/apps design and content review. My greatest passion as a counselor is to provide clients who have a strong commitment to succeed with the tools, resources and encouragement they need. This process typically does not take place in one session, but over a series of collaborative follow-up meetings.

Richard Fivis

I have spent my career in the hospitality and business brokerage businesses; first, in mid- to executive-management in the Hotel industry, specializing in the Food and Beverage area, I worked with Hyatt, Amfac, and Embassy Suites hotels, among others. I then owned and operated United Products Incorporated, a wholesale hospitality supply business for 19 years before selling it recently. I am now the President/Broker and founder of a new business brokerage firm. I act as an advisor and agent representing first-time business buyers.

I have counseled and mentored over 400 clients since I joined SCORE in 2006. I have many startup and existing business success stories. Recent clients include a new food company, CORE Foods, specializing in protein bars, a hiking and yoga exercise business,www.hikingyoga.com in San Francisco, a Wine Bar, Fat Angel, in the Fillmore district, and an authentic Italian Deli, L’Eataliano in the Financial District.

Eli C. Frank

I practiced law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for over 30 years with a focus on small business, corporate, real estate, condominium and franchise law. I also developed and managed many commercial and residential properties; owned and operated a major hotel; developed and operated a non-equity country club; developed condominiums, and built single-family homes.

My SF SCORE counseling is thus as broad and varied as my business and legal experience permits. I am a problem solver who likes nothing better than to figure a way out of a dilemma. I am particularly pleased when a client says, before the end of the hour, "you answered all of my questions and I understand what I have to do." I counsel face-to-face and via email and phone.

Alexander Freemon

I have been involved as both a founder and promoter in a number of start-ups including a solo law practice, a translation business and a hi-tech venture. Through success and failure, I’ve always believed in the importance of entrepreneurial initiative. I joined SCORE primarily with the object of assisting Spanish-speaking clients and developing Hispanic client initiatives and this remains my focus.

At SCORE, I have counseled nearly 200 aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups, many with the idea of selling on the internet and all of them facing the challenge of delivering value to their markets. I’ve helped clients brainstorm variations on their business plans and steered them through legal aspects of incorporation as well as shared ideas from a lifetime of knowledge of the Bay Area.

Ellis Gans

EMAIL ONLY!

I started and operated my own electrical contracting business for 16 years, after working various years as a Handyman, County Planner, Technical writer and Technical sales person (in electronics), with 2½ years travel in the Middle East, Africa and southern Europe. Concurrent with paid jobs, I have devoted many years to theatrical lighting design and operation and custom sound engineering. I have 18+ years doing "both business and consumer" counseling.

I now counsel online by e-mail only in: Electrical contracting, Construction, Home Repair, Handyman. Although e-mail counseling takes longer to exchange information, it has the great advantage in that both parties have a written record that can easily be referenced. My varied work and travel experience and my intuition have helped me develop much insight into human behavior. I have a lot of empathy for those starting out in a new business and enjoy problem-solving and offering suggestions on how to improve things.

Herb Gerlach

I have extensive experience in marketing financial services to financial advisors and in retirement benefit planning and implementation for California companies in the greater bay area. My firm designed and administered IRS-approved pension and profit sharing plans for clients. We also developed and ran state-approved continuing education seminars for accountants on qualified pension and profit sharing plans. We advised our CPA clients on topics including taxation, auditing, and management advisory services.

My expertise as a counselor lies in basic accounting and bookkeeping, sales and marketing. I have counseled many clients at SCORE who planned on starting restaurants, cafes, and retail businesses, as well as some small construction firms and electrical contractors. I have many times moderated the SCORE introductory class, ‘How to Start and Manage a Business’.

Gary Geschwind

I have run development and marketing groups in small and large businesses as a VP of Operations and VP of Marketing and Business Development. I’ve co-founded four companies, in industrial products, financial services and social networking on a mobile platform.

At SCORE, I counsel a wide range of businesses, from retail stores to high technology manufacturing companies. Successful clients have started a business to bring people together to play games and socialize. Others opened a high-end retail store; another is a painter specializing in murals and other custom work.

Jan Hedquist

As former Vice President of BBDO Worldwide, President of Ketchum Advertising and Vice- Chairman of Young&Rubicam Europe I assisted many of the world’s most famous brands in their marketing efforts, including Apple, Alfa Romeo, Colgate, Pepsi-Cola, Nestle, Ericsson, Kraft General Foods, Heinz, Citibank, Ford, AAA to mention but a few. My international experience includes the U.S., Europe, Latin America, the Far East and Japan as well as Middle East /Africa. I have spoken frequently on multicultural communications, marketing and branding.

I divide my time between San Francisco and Pennsylvania and counsel at SCORE in both locations. In my counseling experience I have discovered that the disciplines of larger companies lend themselves perfectly to start-ups and small businesses. They all share one critical component: the customer, without whom there’s no business. By bringing a strong consumer focus to my SCORE clients, they have been able to quickly determine whether they have a viable business proposition and, if so, how to leverage this acquired consumer knowledge in the market place. This applies to any retail business, service, durable or business-to-business operation, from sandwich shops and pizza parlors to metal manufacturing, marketing services, etc. The diversity of people seeking SCORE’S counsel and the exciting ideas they bring are among the many reasons I find being a SCORE counselor so rewarding.

Arthur Hindman

With a background in general management of small to medium businesses, I have in depth experience in establishing global sales and marketing organizations.  I have led rebranding projects for company and product name changes and developed international new product marketing campaigns. I have coordinated due diligence review prior to acquisition of new companies and has developed strategic business plans. I am experienced with business plan development and P&L presentation at the Board level.

I have served as a General Manager of a medium size manufacturer of physical testing equipment and Executive Vice President of a manufacturer of viscometers used in oil exploration and processing, packaging and many other process industries.

I enjoy working with startup companies or small companies to assist in developing a motivated team of executives and staff.

Peter M. Horn

I owned and operated an Export-Import business in San Francisco for 40 years. I dealt mostly in food specialties, ingredients and some general merchandise. I have acted as a trader as well as a sales agent/representative working with importing distributors, and foreign and domestic manufacturers. I have handled major brands.

At SCORE, I have counseled all types of start-ups and established businesses, especially food related. These include Export & Import, Cafes, and Food Service Industry. I do general business counseling related to new and developing projects. I enjoy working one-on-one with clients to help them formulate and develop their small business ideas, and I like to work in a wide spectrum of ventures. I'm a good listener, but also enjoy proposing new views and suggestions. I am encouraging but honest in my approach. I'm willing to work with clients on a longer term/ mentoring basis where desired.

David C Jackson

My career responsibilities have included those of a company administrator, financial controller and auditor, for large U.S. and international companies. I have also co-founded two companies in the home furnishings/interior design field and one in small business consultancy.

I enjoy working with start-up companies, and believe that I can offer SCORE’s clients the benefit of my hands-on experience to set up and run their individual enterprises. This includes a step-by-step approach to establishing a viable business structure through a sound and comprehensive business plan.

Michael V. Katz

TELEPHONE ONLY!

I served as President of video games companies including Sega of America, Atari, and Epyx Computer software. I led the marketing efforts at Mattel and Coleco toy companies and previously served as a marketing executive in the grocery products industry at Lever Brothers and Purex. I have worked in advertising, as an account Supervisor at McCann Erickson agency.

I have counseled numerous SCORE retail startups in how to attract customers and I have also counseled clients in job searches, company reorganizations and downsizing, and in the writing of business and marketing plans.

Meera Kaul

Over the last 15 plus years of her career, Meera Kaul has set up, incubated and executed ventures across the world. She has been a change agent for innovation in entrepreneurship in developing countries and has capacity built entrepreneurs through counseling, training and support networks to build entrepreneurship ecosystems. In her capacity as the founder of a region wide Entrepreneurs network in emerging markets, she has integrated entrepreneurial businesses into mainstream commerce economies through entrepreneurial support services focusing on growing, incubating and funding these ventures. With a special focus on capacity building for women entrepreneurs, Ms. Kaul focusses on sustainable business models in development and support for women enterprise.

Being a champion of customer centric business models in setting up and incubating technology automated companies across North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia, Ms. Kaul has been instrumental in  leading innovation in mapping industry verticals to a technology based  ecosystem for a varied plethora of industries including:  Start-up ventures involving technology automation and execution;  Software and Mobile Applications and platforms;  Cloud based business;  Ecommerce/Online Business models; Human Resource management, recruitment;  Business Process Outsourcing;  Biotechnology;  Healthcare services;  Public Policy and Non- Profits.

Hulya Koc

After 6 years in international banking, I left to start my first company - importing textiles into the United States. I went on to start a multi-site child care center, and an employment agency focused on the education field. I directed and trained teams in recruitment, marketing, sales, operations and customer service. I later successfully sold each of these businesses.

At SCORE, I counsel a range of clients, from solo service providers to startup technology companies. I am a hands-on, patient and consistent mentor. Besides being a good listener, I rigorously question business plans so entrepreneurs focus on key issues. I enjoy guiding people and suggesting resources they can leverage.

Barry Livingston

I worked in Livingston Bros., our San Francisco family retail business, for twenty five years, buying and receiving fashion goods, merchandising, selling, and perhaps most important: stock control. I also set up seasonal buying plans to control our stock-on-hand figures and create our planned turnover. I led our buying group overseas twice a year, and four times a year to New York. I was involved in planning, opening and operating fourteen branch stores.

At SCORE I have worked with many start-up firms on business plans. In these cases, I concentrate on the crucial need for a break-even analysis, as well as the importance of stock control, and income projections. I have also worked to help clothing designers and manufacturers position themselves in the market, such as deciding whether to use sales representatives or having a presence in trade shows.

Wint Mather

I had a wide-ranging IBM corporate career for 32 years, in the U.S. and abroad in Japan and Germany. I was an executive and specialist in information technology, marketing, new product development, and on-line capability. I have extensive knowledge of new business startups, marketing, and technology import/export techniques, and have led cross-cultural role-playing exercises for many industries. I am a member of the International Executive Corps, which is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Over the past decade, I have consulted with numerous Chinese and U.S. companies, internet startups and venture capital firms on import/export and business planning.

I have held over 3,000 SCORE counseling sessions over 18 years, with many success stories . I believe I am well-rounded in all aspects of small business. I either know the answers, or will locate the resources to help my clients find the answers they need to succeed.

Keith Mercier

  I am an ecommerce executive with 25 years experience in the specialty apparel retailing   industry.   I've held various positions within Gap across the organization including Store Communications, Marketing and Sales before joining the ecommerce team in the late 1990's. I then led the ecommerce and catalog functions at SF-based Japanese Weekend Maternity before taking over as President. I returned to Gap to launch and lead a B2B wholesale business and subsequently led the Strategy team in Gap Inc. Direct, the ecommerce division of Gap Inc. In early 2008, I took over as Vice President/General Manager of gap.com and in June of 2010  was appointed VP/GM of Gap 1969 Jeans.

My areas of expertise include  Ecommerce, online marketing, retail, strategy and business development, store operations and communications, merchandising point of view, inventory management, and personal development.

I am interested in helping businesses launch and grow. I enjoy viewing business problems through a strategic filter first and then translating that into executable tactics that deliver results. I enjoy an open communication style. I have a lot of energy and am not afraid to make the tough and sometimes controversial decisions needed to keep a business moving in the right direction. I enjoy solving problems and am energized by the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. 

David Negrin

I enjoyed a 42-year career in computers, both in technical development (purpose analog computing, magnetic storage technology and laser printer development) as well as in many aspects of management. I worked 24 years at IBM, where I developed an advanced disk drive system for the US Navy which came to be used throughout the military, and collaborated with Japanese companies on an advanced printer technology. Later at Maxtor Corporation, I directed development of an advanced miniaturized disk drive for desktop computers. I retired from Maxtor Corporation in 1993. As a longtime project leader, I have expertise in quality management, new product qualification, manufacturing introduction and project management. I have also been a volunteer computer consultant at the De Young Museum and at Family Service Mid-peninsula, where I developed strategies for the implementation of new computer client-server systems. I continue to actively volunteer and serve on several nonprofit boards and am a member of Rotary.

Norton Pearl

In 1958 I started Norton Pearl Photography, a commercial photography studio specializing in providing editorial style photography and applying it to business clients’ products and services. As a United Press news photographer, I understood how to visually communicate a corporate image to the media. The studio became a trusted source for this type of photography and the largest commercial studio on the S.F peninsula, with long-standing client relationships of 30 years and more.

I have counseled business startups, particularly restaurants and photography, at SCORE since 2003 . Additional volunteer work as a crisis counselor has sharpened my listening skills and trained me to realize there are multiple solutions to all challenges. I try and bring this approach to my SCORE counseling. After years spent helping hundreds of different businesses reach their target markets, I can suggest to my SCORE clients a wide range of ideas and solutions.

Lee Riley

I am a CPA/ MBA who has 25 years of experience with income taxes, corporate taxes, Corporations, and Limited Liability Companies. I am also an Advisor for QuickBooks Certified Pro, a business software program that SCORE recommends for both start-ups and existing businesses.

I teach three workshops on accounting, taxes, and corporations.

Louise J. Rothman

I have comprehensive expertise in strategic planning, compensation, benefits, training and development, mergers and acquisitions, and staffing. I am currently on the board of Delta Dental (established and ran the board’s Audit Committee) and served on the board of the United Way for 10 years where I chaired the Human Resources Committee. I am an excellent communicator and a creative problem-solver. I enjoy helping people reach their goals and being a mentor.

I  have mentored and served on nonprofit boards for many years. I was an Senior VP/ senior executive with Charles Schwab & Co. for 15 years, and have spent more than 40 years total in management at financial services companies, including Bank of America, Citibank, New England Mutual Life Insurance and PG&E.

Jacquelyne Savage

EMAIL ONLY!

I have over 10 years experience in marketing, marketing research and analysis, international marketing, and market feasibility studies for logistics and supply chain companies.

At SCORE, I an online counselor, and assist clients with Business Plans, Marketing, Marketing Research, Demographic Analysis, and business startup questions. I currently own and operates a Laundromat, and can help clients with buying and running this type of business. . I have a B.A. from UC Berkeley, and an MBA from California State University East Bay.

Ronald H. Schmidt

I am retired from a Fortune 200 company, where I held executive and general management positions in: a) Sales, Sales Management and Marketing; b) Engineering and Design; c) Operations in new construction and existing facility services; d) Finance-Accounting; and e) Administration, including Human Resources.

Since joining SCORE, I have counseled over 500 individuals in various fields and stages of development, from “thinking about it” to successful firms looking for ways to improve their operation. I have presented seminars and workshops on Doing Business in Tough Economic Times and The Basics of Preparing A Business Plan and have moderated Roundtable discussions at local Chambers of Commerce. I’m very outgoing, friendly, and communicative, but also very impatient. I consider myself a generalist – not a specialist. Having a Professional Engineer’s license (PE) helps me to look at business issues from a “process” perspective. If one defines a problem in incremental steps, the solution often becomes obvious.

Barry Shiller

Barry Shiller has been a business and technology leader across a broad range of high tech companies over his thirty-five year career. In positions spanning from director to vice president with companies such as Fairchild Semiconductor, Precision Monolithics, Altera Semiconductor and Elantec Semiconductor, Barry received a MBA from San Francisco State University. Now enjoying retirement, Barry continues to support the business community as a counselor  and workshop presenter with SCORE and as a lecturer at San Francisco State’s School of Engineering.  

Genrikh Sivorinovsky

I have extensive international executive management experience in the Biotechnology and Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics industries. For many years, I have overseen all key aspects of a multinational global business, including marketing, R&D, local and off-shore manufacturing, sales, warehousing, distribution and customer support. Sales volume grew more than ten-fold under my leadership at my last posting.

At SCORE I assist entrepreneurs existing businesses in translating their ideas and concepts into products and services; in better understanding business operations and the design, development, manufacturing and distribution processes. I also act as a sounding-board for clients who seek objective analysis and honest feedback.

Suzanne Sliter

I have been teaching the Building Marketing Awareness and Driving Sales seminar for four years. The class covers the fundamentals of marketing needed to create a solid foundation to then build a promotional plan for online, traditional and social media. I believe it is important to spend the time upfront to understand your customer and market before promoting your product or service. In teaching, I utilize my many years of experience in technology marketing, starting and running a small software company and consulting to small businesses in a variety of industries. My degree is in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Steve Spaulding

I have spent the majority of my working life in international and domestic banking, including Private Banking with Citibank, Crocker National Bank, Band of America, Chase Manhattan, and others. I have worked private banking in Asia (8 years), Trade Finance banking in Los Angeles. For the past 25 years, I have worked in international and commercial/corporate banking as well as private banking in San Francisco. I served at Bank of San Francisco in its business turn-around and eventual sale, and I currently do some consulting work with First Republic Bank in San Francisco. Throughout, my focus has been finance, business planning, international trade (export/import), non-profit organizations and small business start-ups. I have also been active with several non-profit Boards on which I have served in San Francisco.

I like to interview new clients, enjoy meeting people and helping them reach their goals. I bring much experience to business plans and have a good idea what lenders look for in financing new and ongoing ventures.

Al Stockton

If you have opened, or are thinking of opening your own business, you are already very educated in your field. But your costliest education as an owner will come from the business mistakes you and your employees make during “on the job training”. Your SCORE counselors have been there, done that, and will share.

The world has changed since I earned my MBA at the University of Colorado, but I have kept up and enjoy the opportunity to help entrepreneurs negotiate the minefield of commerce. My fields of expertise include a broad grounding in retail, real estate, management, marketing, finance, business structures and property management.

Glynns Thomas

EMAIL ONLY!

I have 20 years of recent experience in the advertising industry, with particular expertise in online marketing (search engine optimization, website development and email marketing).

I have a particular interest in assisting very small businesses and sole proprietors with their marketing efforts. I currently counsel online.

Paul J. Tiao

With over 20 years of experience in real estate buying, selling and property management along with 18 years of corporate financial and investment experience, I am always excited to help entrepreneurs at SCORE with their businesses. Currently, I am a Real Estate Investor and Consultant at Prudential Highland Partners, Piedmont, CA. I have a strong financial background as an investment and quantitative analyst for several Fortune 50 firms.

As a SCORE Counselor, I am always honored to help fellow entrepreneurs in their endeavors and pursuing their dreams. With several recent years of life coaching training and experience, my goal is to provide clients with business direction, honest feedback, experienced understanding and help finding the utmost life balance and purpose-driven goals in their businesses.

Robert Tyndall

I have spent my entire 40+ year business career in or around the financial services/securities industry. First, 3 years in the Chemical Bank Executive training program, then 21 years in the securities industry where I ran and grew the Prudential Bache (now Wells Fargo Advisors) San Francisco office from 20 employees to over 70 with nearly $20 million in revenue. Next I moved into the publishing world where I found my sales management and financial experience was transferable. I became Publisher of a monthly magazine going to those I had managed for 20 years - 100,000 financial advisors.

I am anxious to bring my experience and knowledge from both these industries to my clients at SCORE.In particular, I hope to assist those who want to begin a publishing effort in this fast changing digital world. Since as Publisher, I was also in charge of sales, I look forward to assisting other clients who need sales and marketing advice     

Paul F. Uhov

I have over 40 years of experience in the operational aspects of Export /Import businesses, including 5 years in Japan and 35 years in the USA. During that time, I handled, among other products, importation of industrial and communication equipment from Japan. Likewise, I exported U.S. equipment manufactured by small and large companies.

Since joining SCORE in 1996, I have focused on counseling for Export /Import business ventures. I have also acted as organizer, coordinator and moderator of the Export-Import Seminar (currently not offered). My language skills include Russian and Japanese.

Ken Weber

My strengths are organizational leadership, strategic planning, executive recruiting and maximizing operating results. My results-oriented management style has developed in part from working closely with top executives of some of the largest companies in the world.

Recently, I ran a small shipping and packing business, acquired without the benefit of SCORE advice, and made several initial mistakes. When I applied these principles to my daily management, I turned that business around in less than three years. I believe sharing these concepts and experiences with SCORE clients can help them be more successful.

Don Weil

am a generalist and have many skills I'd like to share. I like to look at business concepts and then create an organization to turn the concept into a success.

I believe in studying an opportunity and, if it looks good, moving forward. Action is required to be successful. We all must be willing to look at the results of our actions and make changes as needed. My personal style is straightforward and enthusiastic: I believe in hard work, looking at the details and building consensus. I really enjoy business and believe that a vibrant entrepreneurial community is a great way to help the United States compete.

Michael Wray

If you have a business idea and would like to evaluate it’s feasibility and develop a concise business plan, or have an existing business that needs a kick start, I will provide friendly but practical, real world mentoring. We will use some simple but powerful templates that you will use for your particular business. Financials? Don’t be scared…you will be amazed how quickly you can create what you need.

My specialties are Business Plans, Sales and Marketing Plans; Import and Export; Retail, Manufacturing of both high volume and hand made products; Supply Chain Management; for Profit and Non Profit businesses. 

In my business career I worked with large corporations, where I held senior Director and VP positions, with start up companies and ran my own company. 

Gerald (Jerry) Wroblewski

During my career, I have focused on manufacturing, product /process development, operations and the supply chain. I successfully restructured a start-up drug delivery company and raised $50M in investment capital. I have established manufacturing operations, and participated in negotiating joint ventures in both China and Vietnam. I also developed contract manufacturing in India and Pakistan, and created a global network of over twenty suppliers there. Finally, I improved manufacturing operations, resulting in significantly reduced lead times, lower costs and increased flexibility.

I believe that In order to be successful in business, you need a plan to support achievement of your goals. This plan can outline your path to success, but things never go exactly as planned. You must execute your plan with flexibility in order to adjust as you learn more or experience the unexpected. In my business experience, I have enjoyed coaching people to allow them to achieve their full potential. I am an open and honest communicator and I enjoy mentoring others to help them succeed. I I joined Score to help others reach success.

Irma Zigas

I have 25 years retail merchandising experience for enterprises large and small in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. I developed in-house stores and specialized merchandise for the SF Opera, and the SFMOMA MuseumStore, where I devised and carried out the creative direction, focus, design and day-to-day management. Under my stewardship, this store drew the highest square foot retail sales in San Francisco. Previously, I was President of Book Passage in S.F., where I developed and managed what ultimately became Banana Republic’s successful travel book division and mail order catalog.

I bring a lot of enthusiasm and current retail knowledge to my clients at SCORE, along with expertise in store design and layout, retail marketing, personnel training, financial oversight, merchandising, and sourcing. I assist SCORE clients seeking to start nonprofits, and offer ideas on how structure, fund and generate revenue to support their operations. I also counsel on financial operations, budgeting, recruiting, cash flow projections, sales, and long range planning.