Our Advisory Board


Learn More About Our Advisers & Culture

Valerie L. Muck
Valerie L. Muck Senior Executive - US Air Force Ret

Valerie L. Muck, former member of the Senior Executive Service, is the former Director of Air Force Small Business Programs, located in the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. With over 30 years of experience, she was responsible for policy, advocacy, execution and advice pertaining to Small Business Programs and personnel throughout the Department.

Emily Harman
Emily Harman Senior Executive - US Navy Ret

Emily Harman, former Director of the Department of the Navy's Office of Small Business Programs. Chief advisor to the Secretary of the Navy. Responsible for small business acquisition policy and strategic initiatives. Ensured small businesses were provided maximum practicable opportunity to support the Navy and Marine Corps as prime and subcontractors.

Michael J. Wozny
Michael J. Wozny Acting Department Head Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering

RPI - Department Head of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering. Served on the Boards of Directors of three companies. His research center at RPI is supported by 48 companies during its 16 year existence, including aircraft companies such as Boeing. Served as a Division Director at NSF and a Lab Director at NIST.

Michael Lobsinger
Michael Lobsinger Senior Vice President - CEG

Michael Lobsinger is the Senior Vice President for CEG’s Business Growth Services (BGS) and Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Michael directs the BGS|MEP team in providing exemplary support to manufacturing and technology companies with a focus on Continuous Improvement, Technology Acceleration, Growth & Innovation, Export, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Workforce Development. Prior to joining CEG in 2013, he was a senior engineer at Boeing.

Daniel Kane
Daniel Kane SBA & Government Contracting Adviser

Prior to private practice, Dan served in several roles with the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) in Washington, D.C. As an Attorney Advisor for the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals, Dan worked to ensure truly “small” firms received contracts, task orders, and other government contracts set aside for small businesses or specific socioeconomic groups.

David Allen
David Allen President at Sinicon Plastics

Over 20 years of experience in manufacturing processes, Pittsfield, MA.

Brian Apkarian
Brian Apkarian Director of Business Development - RPI

Director of Business Development at the Center for Automation Technologies & Systems.

Robert Braathe
Robert Braathe Adviser

Founder of Braathe Enterprises. Business trainer and leader of BEYourStart and Virtual Internship Program. Professor at Siena College, The College of St. Rose and several community and private colleges in courses that include entrepreneurship.