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Tampa Bay Innovation Center

Roy Binger is a board member at the [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center) and has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry. Roy has held various positions at companies such as [Seacoast Bank](/org/seacoast-bank), Wallace Welch & Willingham, USF St. Petersburg, SunTrust Bank, and Huntington National Bank. In their most recent position as commercial banking manager at [Seacoast Bank](/org/seacoast-bank), they were responsible for managing a team of commercial bankers and providing guidance and support to clients. Prior to that, they were a commercial insurance advisor at Wallace Welch & Willingham, where they helped businesses select the best insurance coverage for their needs. Roy also served on the board of directors at USF St. Petersburg for 12 years.

In their previous role as executive vice president at SunTrust Bank, Binger oversaw the bank's retail line of business, which included 110 branches and over $8 billion in deposits and loans. Roy also served as the city president for SunTrust, responsible for 700+ employees. Before joining SunTrust, they were senior vice president at Huntington National Bank, where they managed 75 banking offices in Northern Ohio with 600 associates.

Binger is also the founder of Binger Financial Services, a financial planning and consulting firm that they started in 1990. Roy has a bachelor's degree in finance from the [University of Florida](/org/university-of-florida) and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Roy Binger received their MBA in finance from the [University of Miami](/org/university-of-miami) and their economics degree from the [College of the Holy Cross](/org/college-of-the-holy-cross).

Roy Binger

Brooke Evans is a board member at the [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center). Brooke has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and financial management. 

Brooke began their career at Arthur Andersen in 1997 as an auditor. In 1999, they joined [Deloitte](/org/deloitte) & Touche as a senior manager in the audit practice. Brooke spent 10 years at [Deloitte](/org/deloitte), serving clients in a variety of industries with a focus on business-to-business and business services companies. Her clients ranged in size from small startups to large, publicly traded companies. 

In 2007, Brooke left [Deloitte](/org/deloitte) to become the chief financial officer of Power Design, Inc. Brooke was responsible for the company's financial strategy, including capital structure, banking, budgeting, procurement, billing, collections, financial IT systems, and other strategic projects. 

In their current role at the [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center), Brooke is using their extensive experience in public accounting and finance to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Brooke Evans

Doug Martin is a board member at [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center). Doug was previously the CEO of Medical Device Investments, Inc. from October 2014 to May 2018. Prior to that, they were the CFO of IMAGINE International Corporation from June 2009 to October 2019. Doug also has experience as a managing director at Price Waterhouse Coopers from June 1978 to August 2001.

Doug Martin earned their BS in Commerce from [Washington and Lee University](/org/washington-and-lee-university).

Doug Martin

Dean Akers is currently a board member at [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center). Prior to this, they held various positions at different companies. Dean was the Chief Operating Officer at LM Funding, LLC from May 2016 to February 2018. Dean was also the Adjunct CEO at Lifestyle Lift from July 2014 to October 2014. Before that, they were with The Condo Coaches and Project Transition USA. 

Dean has extensive experience in different areas, including tighting and smoothing the face and neck to create a more youthful appearance, which they did as the Adjunct CEO at Lifestyle Lift. Dean also has experience with repetitive, expensive and superficial skin treatments, as well as cosmetic injectables, which they gained from their time as the Chief Operating Officer at LM Funding, LLC. 

Dean's experience and knowledge makes him a valuable asset to the [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center). Dean is able to provide insights and advice on a variety of topics, making him an ideal board member.

Dean Akers has a Bachelor of Science from Advertising from University of Florida. Dean also has a High School Diploma from Lakeland Senior High School. Dean has certification from State of Florida in LCAM, FAA in Private Pilots License, CAI West Florida Chapter in CMCA, and State of Florida in Underground Utility Contractor.

Dean Akers

Shawn Hughes is a board member at [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center) and has over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. Shawn was the CEO of Fortress Technologies from December 2000 to March 2006 and was responsible for the company's portable, rapid deployment, multi-purpose mast systems and accessories for military and commercial mobile communication and surveillance platforms from 2 to 20 Meters. Prior to that, they were the VP GM of Systems Marketing, VP GM of Inside Sales, and VP of Sales Planning & Development at [Tech Data](/org/tech-data) from April 1997 to April 2000. Shawn also has experience in venture capital as a founding partner of Stornoway Capital, LLC. In addition, Shawn has held various positions in sales and marketing including Chairman at [Steelyard](/org/steelyard) from December 2013 to November 2021, CEO of BlueSky Mast from July 2011 to June 2013, President/COO of ThermoEnergy Corp from June 2007 to March 2010, and Area Director at Compaq Computer Corp from January 1988 to December 1997.

After Shawn Hughes received their MBA from [Florida State University](/org/florida-state-university), they pursued a BSBA in marketing from [Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania](/org/slippery-rock-university-of-pennsylvania). Shawn then continued their education at Grove City College.

Shawn Hughes

Rob Kapusta is Managing Partner of Fisher & Saul’s, P.A. and the Chair of the firm’s Corporate Department. He has practiced with the firm since 1987. He represents individuals and business entities in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, tax and estate planning, and business and corporate law. Kapusta received his Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, and his Master of Laws (L.L.M.) degree in taxation from University of Florida College of Law. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Kapusta is admitted to practice in all state of Florida courts.

When not practicing law, Kapusta volunteers his time and talents to foster local business growth and economic vitality, arts education and appreciation, and capital school improvements and educational programming opportunities in St. Petersburg through numerous leadership and civic activities. He received the H. Bernice (“Bernie”) Lodge Lay Person of the Year Award for 2008-2009 from the St. Petersburg Kiwanis Club and the “Hero Among Us” award in 2015 from the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation in recognition of his tireless community service.

Kapusta has an A-V rating in Martindale Hubble and has served as President of the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation and Treasurer of the St. Petersburg Bar Association.

Rob Kapusta

Marvin Scaff is a board member at the [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center). Marvin was previously an operating partner at Morgan Hill Partners from March 2019 to February 2020. MHP is a firm that specializes in assisting startups, accelerators, portfolios, and tech companies with company development, talent acquisition, product execution, revenue growth, and operational scaling. Scaff has experience working with hundreds of different technology companies and is an expert in capital efficiency and growth strategies.

Marvin Scaff's educational career includes the Lean Launchpad Educators Program at [Stanford University](/org/stanford) and a summer program in Semantic Computing at the University of California, Berkeley. Marvin has no formal education in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, but they attended the [University of Kentucky](/org/university-of-kentucky) for a brief time.

Marvin Scaff

Cathie Wood

Paul is an audit principal in the Tampa office of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP and is the firm's franchsing leader. Paul has more than 20 years of accounting experience. He specializes in working with retail industry and technology companies that are venture capital or private equity backed to assist them with financial reporting compliance requirements based upon their existing financing and equity arrangements. In addition, Paul is very familiar with complex accounting issues related to mergers and acquisitions, revenue recognition and equity awards and transactions. He was hand-selected to assist three clients in successful exits of existing portfolio companies, all in excess of $60M each.

Paul also assists franchisors and franchisees with reporting and tax compliance as well as working with them to structure agreements to achieve results.

He has also had significant experience, both globally and domestically, with Ernst & Young in their assurance practice as well as serving as a CFO for an energy services company specializing in the delivery of engineering, procurement and construction management support in the power industry.

Paul Hays

Christopher Paradies, Ph.D. is the President of Paradies™ Law P.A.. Mr. Paradies is Florida Bar Board Certified in intellectual property law which includes patents, trademarks, trade secrets and copyrights and is a registered patent attorney with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Mr. Paradies’ practice is focused on assisting clients with management of all of their intellectual property, including acquisition, licensing, enforcement in the courts and defense against claims of infringement. He has extensive experience as both a researcher in industry and a patent attorney. Technical areas of expertise include nanotechnology, materials science, semiconductor processing, chemistry, aerospace, medical treatments, medical devices and drug delivery. He has been named among the Best Lawyers in America and as one of Florida’s Super Lawyers.

Chris received his B.S. in physics from the United States Military Academy, West Point, his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his J.D., summa cum laude, from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Tampa Bay Innovation Center and volunteers his time as the facilitator to lead the inaugural CO.STARTERS cohorts in Pasco and Pinellas County.

Christopher Paradies

Joan Sacco is an administrative assistant and receptionist at [Tampa Bay Innovation Center](/org/tampa-bay-innovation-center). Joan has previously worked as an administrative assistant at Transformation Technologies, Inc., CTC Tampa Bay Inc., and USF/Manufacturing Training and Education Center. Joan has a wealth of experience in assisting with enrollment of courses, registration, invoicing, bookkeeping, travel arrangements, scheduling, and coordinating facilities for training seminars. Joan is proficient in university computer systems and is responsible for issuing budget and financial reports. Joan is a hardworking individual who is dedicated to their work and takes pride in providing excellent customer service.

Joan Sacco reports to Tonya Elmore, President & CEO. They work with Ken Evans - Managing Director, Accelerator, Mary Rodriguez Gort - Client Services Manager.

Joan Sacco

Mary Rodriguez Gort

Ken is a product strategy and technical marketing executive with both venture-backed startup and Fortune 50 senior management experience. He has held marketing, product development, business development, and operations positions at Compaq Computer (now HP), NYNEX (now Verizon), and several technology start-ups in industries including data and network security, managed services, and digital media distribution.

Beyond his work on individual products, Ken has been actively involved in setting policy, direction, and adoption of a number of industry-wide initiatives including:

Standards for system management (WBEM)
Secure digital music/media (SDMI)
Secure wireless (IEEE 802.11i)

Ken has been a featured speaker at industry events targeted at government, enterprise and small business IT, and security professionals. He was the co-founder of Tampa Bay’s first full-time coworking space (IdeaField) and has helped lead a number of government and grassroots community efforts to help mature the local tech ecosystem including BarCamp, Ignite, Hillsborough County’s #EDI2 program, Hillsborough County Hack-a-Thon, StarTec IdeaCamp, and others.

Tampa Bay Innovation Center

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