The people you allow to influence your business decisions will ultimately be the ones that help set your pace in life. If you choose wisely, the next time you face a major business decision, you can look confidently to your board for advice. Of course, each type of small business needs specific kinds of people to serve on its board of directors, but all businesses need individuals with integrity, commitment, and interest as board members. Think of the board as an extension of “your team,” and they will simply fill gaps in your knowledge, skills, and/or network, while helping the company grow and prosper. Come hear about things you already know, didn’t know or just plain forgot.

About the Speakers

John Tortorici, Chair of the Board of Directors at TechStart

John has over forty years of successful business, and nonprofit experience as an entrepreneur and operational manager including fifteen years as CEO of the public company he founded. He has been a board member of numerous startups and currently sits on the PCC Bio Department Advisory Board and other nonprofits. In addition, he is a volunteer at ORTOP, OCSTA, OGPC, Rose Festival, SOLVE and a mentor at an alternative high school for at-risk teens. John is a former Naval Officer and graduate of Adelphi University of Garden City, NY where he attained the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration. Specialties include: Sales, Marketing, Operations and M&A as well as 15 years as CEO of a public company.

Rose Marshall, Owner and Principle of Business Model Advantage and GrowYourExports

Rose (Rosi) is an accomplished senior executive having led business units within Tek/Sequent /IBM and other global high-tech companies. During this time, she was an active board member and Chairman of Software Association of Oregon (now TAO). She managed tech teams in Japan, Vietnam and India. Her passion is on high performance teams and innovating from the outside in. During her tenure with the Hitachi Foundation’s Premier Employers program, she co-authored eBooks and College Curriculum on engagement and teams-vs-groups. Her volunteer time is spent with ORTOP robotics for kids (2000-2019), motivating people and being an astute networker. Currently Rosi consults and facilitates executive retreats and teams.

She holds a BS in Math/Statistics and Computer Science (OSU), an MBA in International Business (UofO) and is a Certified Global Business Professional (NASBITE).