Meet Our Team

Our Staff

Regional Director of Entrepreneurship

John Niederman

Entrepreneur in Residence

Giovanni Martinez

Giovanni Martinez Martini is a young immigrant entrepreneur native of Mexico who currently lives in Fort Wayne. He graduated top of his class from Huntington University with a double major in Accounting and Finance, and a minor in small business management and entrepreneurship. He also has an MBA from Huntington University. He currently works full-time as an investment accountant for Lincoln Financial Group, but his passion lies in entrepreneurship. He founded and co-founded three different ventures: a language service business, a digital marketing company, and an App to explore local bars. He is very passionate about helping guide others and has volunteered many hours to coach early-stage entrepreneurs and young tennis players in high school and college.

Board Members

Allen Brouwer

Commercial Lending Executive - Old National Bank

Ann McPherren

Professor of Business and Economics - Huntington University

Anton King

President/CEO - DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership, Inc.

Fred Nash

Former Owner - Korte Paper Co.

Marilyn Moran-Townsend

CEO - CVC Communications

Sherilyn Emberton

President - Huntington University

DeKalb County Advisory Members

Amy Demske

Real Estate Broker - RE/MAX Results

Anton King

Executive Director - DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership, Inc.

Chris Straw

President - Team Quality Services

David Corcoran

Former CEO - Censys

Edison Byzyka

Chief Investment Officer - Credent Wealth Management

Jeremy Pfister

COO - Tempus Technologies

Mark Michael

Interim CEO - Bowmar

Natalie DeWitt

Vice President - Taylor Rental/Party Plus

Noel Knox

Consultant/Founder

Rudi Eidam

Vice President Project Development - Sweitzer Family Office

Scott Pflughoeft

CEO - Ashley Industrial Molding

Tonya Weaver

Superintendent - Garrett-Keyser-Bulter CSD

Zach Lightner

Attorney - Lightner Law Firm, P.C.