Break Free™

Since he was a young child, Jesse Schell, the CEO of Schell Games, has been enthralled by games and technology due to its mystical appeal. Since its founding in 2002, Schell Games—the largest full-service game creation firm in the United States for education and entertainment—has been managed by him thanks to this dedication. Schell's enduring passion for developing cutting-edge interactive experiences across a variety of platforms highlights his desire to make a positive impact on the lives of gamers of all ages. Schell is a well-known figure in the industry thanks to his leadership abilities, business acumen, and unquenchable curiosity. He has a vision to create experiences that are unmatched through the marriage of technology and games.

Here’s more about Jesse Schell

Jesse Schell is the founder and CEO of Schell Games. Since starting Schell Games in 2002, Jesse has grown it into one of the largest full-service educational and entertainment VR and game development coompanies in the United States.

He is the author of the critically acclaimed book The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses. The book captured Game Developer magazine's coveted "Front Line Award." A third edition of the book was published in 2019.

Jesse also serves as Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Entertainment Technology at Carnegie Mellon University. Since 2006, Professor Schell has taught the Building Virtual Worlds class, created by ETC Co-Founder and The Last Lecture author Randy Pausch. Before starting Schell Games, Jesse was the Creative Director of the Disney Imagineering Virtual Reality Studio, where he worked and played for seven years as a designer, programmer, and manager on numerous projects for Disney theme parks and DisneyQuest.

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Renowned for his proficiency in technology, innovation, and consumer packaged goods (CPG), Rick West is an experienced CEO and co-founder. After overcoming the difficulties of being an entrepreneur, he becomes a success story in his industry. As Field Agent's CEO and co-founder, West leads a business that provides a full range of quick, easy, and affordable products. These tools enable businesses to assess in-store conditions, improve sales tactics, learn about the behavior of customers, produce ratings and reviews, and more. Field Agent is now a vital resource for companies in a wide range of sectors thanks to West's leadership, which highlights his ability to create significant solutions that address contemporary issues with retail and customer involvement.

Here’s more about Rick West

Rick West is the husband of one, father of 3, Grandaddy of two and a friend to many. He is an experienced CEO and co-founder of multiple start-ups with emphasis in technology, innovation and CPG. As a leader in the Retail Industry for seventeen years in the United States, Hong Kong and Thailand he has been an Entrepreneur for over sixteen years in the U.S. and currently serves as a speaker and mentor within the business community and research industry. Life Quote: “Don’t live in the world of maybe, let your yes be yes and your no be no”

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The CEO of DC Blox Inc., a business devoted to constructing digital infrastructure and tying communities together with fast optical networks, is Jeff Uphues. Uphues helps companies to effectively serve their local consumers, extend infrastructure, and maintain business continuity with an emphasis on hosting cloud services. Uphues positions DC Blox at the vanguard of innovation and connectivity in the industry with his depth of experience in data center development, managed services, communications networks, and cloud service markets as a senior executive and entrepreneur.

Here’s more about Jeff Uphues

Senior executive and entrepreneur with deep experience in data center development, managed services, communications networks and cloud service marketplaces ranging from start-ups to Fortune 50 firms.

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Dan Fischer is the epitome of the entrepreneurial spirit; he is a living example of tenacity and resolve. Despite the many obstacles he faced as a working student with part-time jobs, he never wavered in his goal of a higher education and career success. By utilizing his experiences, Fischer gained a deep comprehension of leadership and cooperation, which he subsequently used to his business ventures. Today, as the President/CEO of Citizen State Bank, he stands as a beacon of inspiration, illustrating the power of perseverance and strategic vision in achieving one's goals.

Here’s more about Dan Fischer

Senior Banking Executive with significant success and experience leading financial institutions. Proven track record of developing results-oriented management teams, fiscal performance, processes and outcomes, cultural development, and strategy formulation and execution. Recognized as a catalyst for change and innovation with a willingness to experiment and apply new approaches to successfully achieve corporate goals and objectives.

Specialties: Sales Management, Business development, Recruiting

Mergers and acquisitions, P & L management

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Special Products & Mfg., Inc., a top contract manufacturing company known for its extremely complex automotive equipment that includes metal fabrication, machining, powder coating, welding, and final assembly, is led by Rob Grand-Lienard as CEO. Under his direction, the business manufactures a wide range of goods for use in the oil and gas, electronics, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Grand-Lienard is committed to leading the firm into the future by embracing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), smart connectivity, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, robotics, and process automation, and by creating a motivated and empowered team culture.

Here’s more about Rob Grand-Lienard

Robert J. Grand-Lienard III is the CEO of Special Products & Mfg., Inc., a contract manufacturing solutions provider with headquarters in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The company supplies a comprehensive range of services including precision metal fabrication, machining, welding, powder coating, third party logistics (3PL) and, electro-mechanical assembly.

Mr. Grand-Lienard is a passionate and enthusiastic leader responsible for the vision, mission, core values, and standards of the company. He is constantly adapting and evolving the company to remain a leader in the manufacturing industry. He seeks to lead the company to be the very best in the industry through an engaged and empowered team culture and leading edge technologies including AI, smart connectivity, IoT, big data, robotics and process automation. Rob has over 35 years experience in contract manufacturing and precision metal fabrication.

Specialties:

Leadership and Leadership Development

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

New Product Development/Introduction

Sales Leadership & Management

Sales Strategy

Customer Experience

New Business Development

Our mission is to consistently deliver innovative and efficient contract manufacturing solutions that provide our customers with a competitive advantage globally.

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Along with her husband Codi Gharagouzloo, Valerie Aimee Gharagouzloo is the co-founder and COO of Imaginostics, where they have revolutionized MRI scanning technology, a ground-breaking medical invention. Their innovative method entails modifying standard MRI scanners at medical facilities to produce a new kind of image that enables accurate measures of internal physiology in addition to acquiring data. This discovery not only improves diagnostic capacities but also marks a noteworthy development in medical imaging, demonstrating their strong propensity to use physics principles to spur innovation in healthcare.

Here’s more about Valerie Aimee Gharagouzloo

Mission-driven leader, visionary entrepreneur, lawyer and super connector!

As long as I can remember I've always been driving by the desire to defend justice and build my own path and identity in this World. I switched from maths and engineering school to law school early on in my youth to serve people and fight injustice.

I've started my career in international human rights law, i.e. children's rights protection and international criminal justice. When I moved to the US with my family, I went back to law school and specialized in US immigration law to help immigrants start a new life in the US, from asylum seekers to top-notch professionals from Harvard and MIT, and serial entrepreneurs.

I've co founded Imaginostics with my husband Dr. Codi Gharagouzloo to bring his amazing tech to the market, and help millions of people benefit from its diagnostic capabilities. Together, we're working at changing the paradigm of health care, from curative to preventative.

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like to connect with me. I'm launching a podcast about women's resilience soon: let me know if you'd be interested in being my guest on the show.

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Once was an aspiring entrepreneur, but is now one of the biggest Chief Executive Officer in the field of analytics data- Analytics8, Mr. David Fussichen. According to Fussichen, Analytics8 as a consulting company, focuses in making the world a better place through data. We all come up with small bits of fragments, until we build and put ourselves in to who and what we want to be. And that’s how Mr. Fussichen built his strong foundation for his self and in his very own company. Perseverance, faith and a strong vision was one of the greatest tool he had to be able to come up  all the things he has now. Through his wisdom and experiences, it made him become better know his self, get to inspire others and find success amidst the hardships in the realm of business entrepreneurship.

Here’s more about David Fussichen

When I was a kid, at one point or another, I wanted to be a magician, archaeologist,

artist, and engineer.

“President of a data analytics company” was never on my list. But I think my goals

revealed something about my underlying values early on.

- Magicians take the mystical and make it real for anyone. We make the mystical real

for business leaders every day.

- Archaeologists explore the unknown. You can’t watch my team sift through data and

tell us we're not looking for the needle in the haystack - like explorers.

- Artists tell a story out of the mundane. This is kind of our thing with data at

Analytics8.

- Engineers build to innovate, and I strongly believe that without data, innovation

would be impossible.

I'm proud of leading a company of individuals who solve real life problems with data and analytics. Having been in the industry long before data and analytics were buzzwords that dominated the landscape, my team has the resources and connections of a large-scale vendor, but with the attention of a boutique firm. We cut through the noise to get results fast.

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In today's episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between technical proficiency and industry knowledge, particularly within the realm of software development. Our guests, Sarah Sajedi, Director of Research and Development, and Gary Vegh, Co-Founder & Senior Environmental Toxicologist, both from ERA Environmental Management Solutions, Inc., share their insights on how their deep understanding of the environmental management industry has fueled innovation in software solutions. Join our host, David, as we explore how marrying technical skills with industry expertise leads to software that not only meets but exceeds user expectations, transforming industries and enriching user experiences.

Throughout this episode, we'll uncover the critical role industry knowledge plays in software development, using real-life examples to illustrate the profound impact of this symbiotic relationship. From healthcare management systems to environmental compliance software, Sarah and Gary offer valuable perspectives on how their industry insights have shaped their innovative solutions. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned developer, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and industry, this episode promises to enlighten and inspire. Tune in as we unravel the importance of industry expertise in driving innovation and revolutionizing the software landscape.

Here’s more about Sarah Sajedi

Nationally-recognized entrepreneur and environmental management expert skilled in environmental impact analysis and software development for the manufacturing industry. Internationally requested speaker and educator on environmental compliance and methodologies. Has proven success in developing and leading sustainable businesses in competitive industries. Award-winning leader recognized for her leadership and innovation in sustainable business.

Core Competencies

Over twenty years of experience in:

•Environmental and Health/Safety Project Management

•Environmental Software Development

•Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship

•Project and Agency Negotiations

•Federal and State/Provincial Air Regulations

•Environmental Consulting and Analysis

•Emissions Accounting and Inventories

•Air Toxics Modeling

•Research and Development

•Sales and Marketing

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In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, software stands as the cornerstone paving the path to the future. From revolutionizing industries to enhancing daily life, the impact of software innovation is ubiquitous. At the helm of this transformative journey is Spencer Kupferman, the visionary Chief Executive Officer of PKWARE. With a deep understanding of technology's potential and a commitment to driving progress, Kupferman spearheads PKWARE's mission to redefine data security and management through cutting-edge software solutions. Under his leadership, PKWARE continues to push boundaries, empowering organizations worldwide to navigate the complexities of data protection in an increasingly interconnected world. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, it is clear that software, led by forward-thinkers like Spencer Kupferman, will remain instrumental in shaping the future landscape of technology and beyond.

Here’s more about Spencer Kupferman

Spencer Kupferman serves as the CEO of PKWARE, the only end-to-end data security platform that protects sensitive data on endpoints, in the cloud, and on mainframes. It’s trusted by some of the world’s leading Fortune 500/1000 financial institutions, federal government entities, and healthcare organizations. Under Spencer’s leadership, PKWARE has transformed itself into a majority subscription-based revenue model and has expanded its core products into PK Protect which allows organizations to protect their data wherever it lives and moves with highest level of accuracy in the market. Spencer is known for empowering his leaders and teams to strive for the best possible outcomes while providing support, guidance and mentorship.

In addition, Spencer serves as an Executive Advisor for Thompson Street Capital Partners portfolio companies working closely with their tech-enabled software practice. Spencer’s area of expertise is mentoring CEO’s and other Senior Management executives on marketing & sales scalability, operational metrics, GTM strategy and best practices for growth.

As former President & CEO of Global Software, Inc. (now insightsoftware) the global leader in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and enterprise performance management (EPM) reporting solutions, Spencer spearheaded the revolution of the Spreadsheet Server platform as it took the market by storm. Spencer led the company through 2 successful nine- figure Exits to market leading Private Equity firms, Thompson Street Capital Partners and TA Associates (2016 & 2018 respectively).

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Managing multiple companies simultaneously requires a remarkable level of focus, efficiency, and a robust team in each entity to ensure seamless operations across the board. This demanding task calls for a leader with exceptional organizational skills and strategic vision. Avner Schneur, the President and CEO of GRM Information Management Services, epitomizes such leadership. With a wealth of experience in overseeing diverse businesses, Schneur understands the importance of balance and synergy among various entities. As the chairman of multiple companies, he exemplifies the ability to navigate complex landscapes while fostering growth and innovation. Schneur's leadership philosophy underscores the significance of cohesive teams and streamlined processes, enabling him to effectively manage multiple ventures concurrently.

Here’s more about Avner Schneur

Avner Schneur is the President and CEO of GRM. Under Schneur’s leadership, GRM accelerated its growth, expanded its digital offering and extended operations geographically beyond the US. Known for successfully taking companies from start- up to IPO, or to profitable exit, Schneur is also the Founder and CEO of Kormeli, LLC – www.kormeli.com – an investment group dedicated to funding and guiding early-stage technology entrepreneurs and enterprises. Additionally, Schneur is the Chairman and Board Member of several other technology companies.

Prior to founding Emptoris, Schneur held a number of executive positions at Vectis Corporation, a leading software vendor of electronic medical records. Additionally, Schneur held senior roles at Elscint, Inc., a manufacturer of high-end medical imaging systems and Astea International, a leading developer of customer interaction software, where he helped lead the company to a successful IPO.

In late 1999, Schneur founded Emptoris Inc., a leading supply and contract management software company where he served as the company’s Chairman, President and CEO. Under Schneur’s leadership, Emptoris helped transform the way companies procure goods and services utilizing mathematical optimization technology. The company’s novel approach involved taking a broader look at the total cost of major procurements, ultimately enabling substantial savings for customers. Emptoris was acquired by IBM in 2011.

Schneur graduated cum laude in Information Systems, from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology and is a member of the Technion Industrial Engineering Faculty Advisory Board.

Company description: Trusted for more than 30 years, GRM is a leading provider of information management solutions. GRM's robust, cloud-based enterprise content management platform (ECM) serves as the centerpiece of the digital solutions that GRM provides its clients. It's a fully scalable content services platform with integrated document management software and workflow automation software.

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