Al Balzer, President
The Balzer Companies
Strategic Business Development

Al Balzer is the president of The Balzer Companies, a business development firm dedicated to contributing to the success and development of growth oriented companies for over 20 years. In addition to focusing on basic strategic planning and implementation issues, the mantra of the company is "helping others achieve direction and results." This extends the effort to mentoring and coaching executives in leadership initiatives.

In addition to being a strategic planning coach/consultant for Gazelles International, Al is also a certified facilitator and strategic planner for CEO peer advisory groups through TAB (The Alternative Board). He represents Birkman International as a behavioral assessment consultant and the Objective Management Group as a sales force development distributor. Al is a past president of the National Speakers Association and has been honored as a John Wolfe Speaker of the Year..

Cell: 832-654-5113
Ph.: 281-261-7747
Email: albalzer@balzercompanies.com

Gary R. Canon
Statesman Business Advisors
Managing Director

Statesman is a merger & acquisition advisory/investment banking firm specializing in mid-market size clients. The firm provides buy-side/sell-side advisory, capital raise, recapitalization, valuation and management consulting services.

Gary has 26 years of experience in both public accounting and investment banking. With a BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M University, Gary is a Certified Public Accounting, Certified Valuation Analyst, and has been accredited in business valuation by the AICPA.

Cell: 713-557-5480
Ph.:  713-595-1356
Email: gcanon@statesmanbiz.com

Mike Catalano
Krueger & Catalano Capital Partners, LLC
Co-Owner

Krueger and Catalano are professional Money Managers who cater to successful individuals and businesses. After spending two decades on Wall Street, they now own and operate their own private firm in Houston and will share a track record of performance and personal service that few peers can match. Their simple and stated goal is to make more money with partners than from them, by investing their personal capital exactly as they recommend others do and manage it all in - house.

Address: 7700 San Felipe, Suite 470, Houston, TX 77063
Ph.: 713- 784-3878
Fax: 713-784-8023
Toll Free: 877-784-3870
Email: mike@kruegercatalano.com
Web: www.kruegercatalano.com

Mary Collins
Collins Benefits Solutions
Owner

At Collins Benefits Solutions, our team is comprised of seasoned individuals with a “server” attitude. Each team member has either owned a business or been in upper management. We tailor our services to meet the unique management style and challenges each company is facing. Many of our clients are growing very rapidly and have changing requirements and priorities as they grow. We work with them to make sure the benefits and our services support them as their needs change.

We focus exclusively on group employee benefit packages for companies ranging from two to 1,000 employees. We specialize in creating custom, business-friendly programs for your employees. We then automate the administration using a variety of tools and vendors. The insurance products for your business include: Medical, Dental, Vision, Group Life, Disability Insurance, Long-term Care, Supplemental Insurance, Cafeteria Plans, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts.

Cell: 713-816-8446
Ph.: 281-345-1235 x2221
Fax: 281-855-9913
Email: mary@collinsbenefits.com
Web: www.collinsbenefits.com

Gary N. Cooper CPA, CVA, M&AA
Certified Public Accountants and Consultants

GARY N. COOPER, CPA, CVA, M&AA is a certified public accounting firm which was formed in 1991, assisting small businesses and individuals with accounting, consulting and income tax planning and compliance. Services provided include Quickbooks consulting, business valuation, assistance with buy/sell transactions, due diligance, development and implementation of policies and procedures, accounting services and tax compliance and planning.

Address: 1616 South Voss, Suite 530, Houston, TX 77057
Cell: 713- 261-2411
Ph.: 713- 243-8591
Fax: 713- 243-8595
Email: gcooper@garycoopercpa.com
Web: www.garycoopercpa.com

Kathi Crawford, SPHR, IAC-CC
People Possibilities LLC
CEO

People Possibilities LLC offers a range of consulting and coaching services to address the culture and activities a company must have in place to attract, develop, reward and retain its workforce. Whether you’re looking for guidance in developing an integrated talent management strategy, enhancing your talent assessment and selection process, creating or improving your leadership development program, or implementing an internal coaching program – you can call on us.

Kathi Crawford, CEO of People Possibilities, has over twenty-five years of progressive business experience and has held the position of Vice President Human Resources. Kathi serves as a trusted advisor in the human capital management profession. She brings a strategic mindset to her clients as they look for ways to improve their culture and effectiveness of their people processes. She encourages a trusting and open dialogue with her clients to identify key challenges and focus on solutions that make an impact on the individual and the organization.

Address: 1909 Branard, Suite E, Houston, Texas 77098
Ph.: 281-450-6316
Fax: 713-523-1474
Email: kcrawford@peoplepossibilities.com
Web: www.peoplepossibilities.com
Blog: http://peoplepossibilities.com/blog/

Leroy Eaglin
Onsite Network Support Solutions
Computer & Network Repair

Small businesses are often unable to hire full time computer support, that’s why we provide on-site computer services, eliminating the need to transport computer equipment to repair shops. Having us on your team is like having your own computer staff to repair and maintain your computers and network.

Ph.: 713- 376-3735
Email:leroy@onsitenetworksupport.com

Mike Elliott
Paychex
Payroll Provider

Mike Elliott is a Sr. Consultant with the recognized national leader in Payroll & Human Resource services, Paychex, Inc (PAYX). Having been with Paychex for almost 7 years, Mike specializes in offering an ever-growing variety of payroll and human resource products and services that help clients do what they do best — run their business. From calculating payroll and filing tax payments to administering retirement plans, Paychex gives its clients relief from administrative hassles so they can focus on their bottom line.

Paychex gives all companies, no matter the size, the assurance of payroll tax filings and compliance, and the ability to provide the competitive edge to keep and maintain quality employees for the long term.

Cell: 713-805-5162
Ph.: 281-588-1500 x 21711
Fax: 281-588-1554
Email: melliott@paychex.com

Rosario Romero Franco
Certified Business Brokers
M&A Consultant

Rosario Romero-Franco provides all the services and support necessary to complete the sale of a business to the satisfaction of both the buyer and the seller from the business valuation, marketing, negotiations to the closing of the sale. Rosario will guide you step by step throughout the entire sale process of businesses priced between $25,000 and $50,000,000. Rosario can also assist entrepreneurs with the acquisitions of new business ventures.

Certified Business Brokers (CBB), established in 1974, is one of the pioneers of the business brokerage profession and is one of the oldest and largest business brokerage firms in the U.S. CBB is a founding member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), which is the largest business brokers association in the world, and the Texas Association of Business Brokers (TABB), the precursor and model used to form the IBBA and other business brokers associations across the country.

Address: 10301 Northwest Freeway, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77092
Ph.: 281-220-3493
Fax: 713-680-8300
Email: romero@certifiedbb.com
Web: www.certifiedbb.com

John Kelly
FranMasters, LLC
Co-Founder

John is the President and Co-Founder of FranMasters, LLC, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping individuals achieve their financial, lifestyle and professional goals through business ownership. We assist our clients, who are interested in owning their own business, through the otherwise time consuming and confusing process of identifying and validating potential businesses to purchase. We take a hands on approach to understand our client’s true desires in owning a business and guide them through the “due diligence” process which normally takes 4-5 weeks.

John has over 27 years of experience in corporate America, mostly in high tech sales & sales management, professional services and business operations. He has worked for companies such as NCR Corporation and BMC Software. He received a BA in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. He later went on to receive his Master of Business Administration in Finance from UT Austin as well. He is married and has two teenage sons.

Cell: 832.465.3737
Ph.: 281.440.4623
Email: johnjkelly@swbell.net
Wed: www.franmasters.com
Fax: 281- 870-9329

Ken Marsh
Fearless Networking, Inc. and Strategic Learning Systems
CEO and Founder

Ken Marsh is the author of Fearless Networking, a “Business Book of the Year” for 2004 as announced by HoustonBusinessReview.com. He founded Fearless Networking, Inc., a business and career networking training company and Strategic Learning Systems, a training & curriculum development company specializing in sales, customer service, teamwork and communications training. Ken’s 3rd networking book is titled “How to Fearlessly Network for Jobs” is currently offered as an e-book. Ken has a new DVD titled “How to Fearlessly Network for New Business Development-Seminar.” Ken has also written 5 books on Fearless Customer Service.

Ken is host of ‘The Word on Fearless Networking,’ which airs Monday through Friday 9:45 AM to 10:00 AM CST on 100.7 FM KKHT ‘The Word.’ The radio show is also aired over the Internet at KKHT.com. Ken has been a business owner specializing in the business relationship building arena since 1993. He was formerly Director of Training and an international instructor for Dale Carnegie Houston and Dale Carnegie DC. He has authored more than 70 course titles including over 300 articles on business networking alone for www.houstonbusinessdaily.com. Ken is currently a certified trainer for eight Dale Carnegie Courses. He has also developed curriculum for Rice University School of Business.

Address: 11152 Westheimer #660, Houston, TX 77042
Cell: 832.368.4434
Fax: 713. 271.5516
Email: Kenpm50@aol.com
Wed: http://www.fearlessnetworkers.com

Garrett Pye
Wells Fargo
Senior Business Relationship Manager

Garrett Pye is a Senior Business Relationship Manager with Wells Fargo Bank. He has 12 years of commercial banking experience in Houston, TX. He has extensive experience in a wide variety of commercial accounts including commercial lines of credit, commercial real estate, equipment lending, and SBA loans.

Cell: 832-584-1033
Ph.: 281-870-0928
Fax: 281- 870-9329
Email: garrett.pye@wellsfargo.com

Ro Royall
Business Extension Bureau
Direct Mail Marketing

Graduated from University of Texas in 1987 with a degree in Advertising. Worked for TRW Information services (which was later bought out by Experian) in list sales selling mainly to list brokers nationwide . I have been with Business Extension Bureau for the last 16 years selling mailing services, printing & multiple lists to brokers and end users nationwide. Thorough background in the direct mailing industry. Married and have 4 children.

For the 50 years Business Extension Bureau has helped local and national companies develop and execute mail marketing programs. The company's expertise extends from strategy development, through list acquisition, mailer design, printing and mail handling, for small or large businesses, local or national in scope, for direct selling, lead generation or general advertising purposes.

Ph.: 713-528-5568
Email: ror@bebtexas.com
Web: www.bebtexas.com

Rorika Rueda
Scope Solutions Group Holdings

Rorika is a Senior Associate at Scope Solutions Group Holdings, a firm dedicated to implement software solutions for mid to large size process (batch) manufacturing companies as well as for corporations that require extensive functionality in international accounting. Scope Solutions was founded in 2001 and currently serves over 100 customers in Texas, Louisiana, Latinamerica and the Caribbean. Scope Solutions is in the top 10 resellers of Sage Software for the process manufacturing vertical solutions.

Rorika graduated from Universidad La Salle in Mexico City. Her multinational background, extended experience in the software industry and fluency in English, French and Spanish are valuable assets to provide quality service to Scope Solutions customers.

Address: 3730 Kirby Drive, Suite # 1200, Houston, TX 77098
Ph.: 713- 834-1177
Email: rrueda@scope-solutions.com
Web:www.scope-solutions.com

Yvette Scheiber
MBS Marketing & Business Consulting, Inc.
Founder and CEOct Mail Marketing

In a nutshell, MBS Marketing & Business Consulting, Inc. (MBS) helps small business leaders find the sweet spot where the business goals and market need meet. It’s at this intersection that the quality of a business’s marketing methods and strategies are optimized, and the best results of the marketing investment are realized in both the short and long term. Specializing in marketing effectiveness and management consulting for small business, MBS creates specific strategies that apply directly to each business’s needs. We join forces with the business to implement the strategies. But, we don’t stop there. Creating and implementing the strategies are only part of the solution. It’s vitally important that business leaders have metrics to be able to determine whether or not the plans are working. So, we put in place measurement processes to use during the post-implementation phase.

Yvette Scheiber, Founder and CEO of MBS, is a small business advocate and visionary, speaker and writer. Her ambition, tenacity and understanding of the power of knowledge led her to found her company. Yvette brings a refined skill set and broad knowledge base acquired through her work in Global Fortune 500 companies and small businesses. She writes and speaks on the geo-political environment and its effects on small business. Yvette holds Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from Lamar University.

Address: P. O. Box 941234, Houston, TX 77094-8234
Ph.: (713 243-8806
Fax: (281) 494-7223
Cell: (832) 444-3422

Email: yvette.scheiber@mbsmktpr.com
Web:www.mbsmktpr.com

Warren E. Sloan
Allstate Insurance Company
Exclusive Agent

I was born and raised in Houston and now live in the Cypress area. My wife Jana and I have two children, Alex is almost 4 and Megan who is 6 months old. I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BA in economics with a specialization in banking and finance along with a business minor.

I own and operate an Allstate Insurance agency that is 40 years old this year. My focus is on maintaining a reasonably sized office where I can be very active in directly supporting my customers with personal service and advice on all insurance matters. The following insurance products are available: home, auto, flood, life, boat, motorcycle, ATV/4 wheeler, jet ski, classic car, classic boat and business.

Cell: 713-417-1819
Ph.: 713-464-4442
Fax: 713-464-4689
Email: warrensloan@allstate.com

Eric Todd
Select Specialty Insurance Services
Vice President Operations

Select Specialty Insurance Services (SSIS) is an experienced, centrally located, nationally recognized, insurance agency focused on exemplary service. SSIS is a full service insurance agency that has a sharp focus on the service aspect of the agency operations. SSIS specializes in commercial and residential property and casualty insurance products of all sizes. We have insurance coverage from small to large commercial liability/property to real estate related E&O programs. No matter your risk, SSIS will find the right coverage for you at competitive rates. With the convenience of online accessibility and the service of your neighborhood agency, Select Specialty Insurance Services is here for all your insurance needs.

Address: 3901 Bellaire Blvd., Suite A, Houston, TX 77025
Direct: 832.518.3035
Cell: 713.256.7524
Fax.: 832.200.3539
Email: etodd@selectspecialtyinsurance.com
Website: www.selectspecialtyinsurance.com

Jeff is a partner with the law firm of Dickinson & Wheelock, P.C. He focuses on business and franchise law. He regularly helps clients buy and sell businesses. See Jeff’s full profile at: www.texasfranchiseattorney.com/attorneys.

Dickinson & Wheelock, P.C. was founded in 1998, our law firm is dedicated to business and franchise law. We represent both new and established businesses in all of their legal needs. Our specific practice areas include Business Transactions, Franchise, Employment, Start-Up/Business Organizations and Commercial Litigation.

Cell: 713-906-5333
Ph.: 713-722-8118
Fax: 713.722.7003
Email: jwheelock@dwlegal.com