The Reading SCORE chapter's volunteer counselors comprise a myriad of business backgrounds, expertise, and disciplines to provide a wealth of resources and support for the small business owner or entrepreneur. Each counselor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the competitive business sector - small business operations, private practice, corporate infrastructure, domestic and global markets, e-commerce, government interface, strategic repositioning, technological incorporation, etc. - to the counseling or mentoring sessions.
We attempt to match your specific business needs to an individual counselor with a similar background and knowledge base, or in some cases, to a team of counselors. So whether you're currently in business today, looking to expand or consolidate your operations, or just starting out, one of our counselors has typically - "been there; done that .............successfully."
Some of our areas of expertise and business disciplines is listed below. The individual biographies of our counselors are provided as well.
Banking Retail operations and ownership Restaurant Food service Vending machine business Insurance Manufacturing Engineering Management Consulting Manufacturer's Representative Business Marketing and Market research Sales and Sales Management Competitive Analysis Strategic Planning Merger and Acquisition Business Process Design and re-engineering Franchising Human resources Hospital operations and administration Transportation Real estate Finance Cash management Inventory control Accounting Logistics Teaching and training Information technology Web design Security Goal setting and performance metrics Pricing strategies and tactics
Ray brings to the table more than 40 years of domestic and international finance experience. He completed two Director of Finance assignments in Europe and the Middle East with DuPont, six years as Director of Corporate Credit and Financial Services at Foamex International Inc., six years as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for a successful New Jersey manufacturer/wholesaler where he continues as Vice President – Financial Services.
Ray earned his B. S. degree in business administration at Philadelphia University and has completed a wide range of courses in quality management, foreign currency management, financial analysis, personnel management, and leadership techniques.
Russ has 43 years in engineering, operations, sales, marketing, and consulting. The first 20 years of his career were devoted to engineering, project management, and marketing of highly technical products (nuclear systems hardware and components) in the US Navy (nuclear submarines) and with large commercial corporations.
The last 23 years were focused in management consulting, primarily with a small consulting firm, based in Chicago, that had a national energy practice. As a Vice President and partner in the firm, Russ’ consulting practice included business planning and strategy development, marketing and sales, market research and competitive analysis, business process redesign, organizational efficiency, diversification, and merger and acquisition.
Russ retired in 2003 and has been a SCORE counselor since 2004. He has an engineering degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MS in Management from Rensselaer Institute of Technology.
Over forty years experience in the management of human resources experiencewith General Electric, Celanese, the Rockefeller Foundation, General Battery and Exide. Responsibilities have included the areas of compensation, benefits, management development, employee training, recruiting and placement, communications, community relations, personnel policies and procedures, affirmative action and business planning. Management experience includes small and large corporations with staff ranging from three to sixty five people and budgets up to two million dollars.
Penn State University – Instructor, Berks Campus
SCORE – Secretary/Treasurer & Counselor
Seminar leader for Chamber of Commerce & Manufacturers
Association
Consultant in HR to small business
Vince has over 48 years in the retail and merchandising business, primarily in men’s clothing and furnishings. He started his career in large department stores and specialty shops (Hess Brothers of Allentown, PA; May’s Men’s Store, Easton, PA; and Burdines’ Department Store, Miami, FL) and has held a number of sales and buyer positions with these companies.
In 1963 he bought Vicary’s Men Store in West Reading and developed it into one of the most exclusive men’s clothing and furnishing stores in Berks County. After 31 years, Vince closed the store in 1995 in preparation of his retirement. In addition to retail and sales management, Vince’s areas of expertise also include marketing, advertising, business strategy, business plan development, cash flow, and fund raising.
He has been a SCORE counselor since 1996 and has been very active in the management and direction of the local SCORE chapters, having served as Vice Chairman of the Reading Chapter and Assistant Director of the Eastern Pennsylvania SCORE District. Vince has degrees in accounting and business from the Lancaster Business College and in advertising from Poor Richard’s School of Advertising in Philadelphia. He continues to teach a number of business courses at the Reading Area Community College.
Dennis brings a career of education and inspiration to our SCORE chapter. Dennis taught junior high and high school mathematics at Schuylkill Valley High School from 1968 - 2000. His many years of business math and work in the education field make him a valuable resource to our group.
Dennis instituted a Math of Finance elective for juniors and seniors to introduce them to banking, investments, insurance, and other areas of general business practices.
In all aspects of the business landscpae, Larry has dealt with managing employees, and all the various aspects of Human Resources as applied to employees. This includes benefits, salary administration, labor relations, programs and policies, financing, litligations, etc. Larry's wife started a retail operation that involved both of them in the fundamentals of a small business start-up.
20 years in bank lending, bank internal audit (much of it Trust audit) and title insurance auditing.
30+ years as a Real Estate Broker, specializing in investment real estate.
1 1/2 years CFO of family entertainment complex.
Past President, Chair or officer of: Jaycees; Prison Society; Environmental Advisory Board; various functions within the Boy Scouts of America; Exeter Township Lions Club; various homeowners associations; Common Cause/PA; ARC of Berks County; Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity.
Currently active as: Secretary of Lions Club; Secretary of Common Cause/PA; Ambassador with Project Vote Smart; Appalachian Trail maintainer; Ass't. District Commissioner, Boy Scouts of America; nationally certified presenter for Alpha Phi Omega's leadership development program; Secretary of Mentors for Berks Youth; mentor in Exeter Township School District elementary program; financial consultant for Riverplace Development Corp.
My background is over 30 years as a banker, small business owner, sales trainer and business
consultant. I have been a lender, a restaurant owner, business broker, consultant and
motivational speaker. I have sometimes been described as a crazy entrepreneur. I also have experience in the
non-profit work as a development director. I am a past Chairman of my local SCORE chapter.
Donald is a retired Senior Vice President of Albee-Campbell, Inc. He was a recruiter of independent manufacturers' representatives for the technical industry. In addition his previous experience as a tool and die maker/machinist production control manager, plant manager, and new product developer adds a skill set much needed in this area.
Donald graduated from Penn State University (mechanical engineering) and the University of PA Wharton School of Business.
Robert has over 40 years experience as an engineer and consultant in manufacturing environments. His considerable background in project management, training, budgeting, and other related activities is a boon to our SCORE chapter. Robert also has experience in close supervision of professional and skilled craftsmen.
Michael currently works with the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry where he is the AVP of Small Business Services. As part of his role he helps entrepreneurs and small business owners find the resources they need to help them have a better chance at being successful. Prior to coming to the Chamber, he spent over 4 years in the banking industry working for Wachovia Bank as a Financial Specialist and a Financial Center Manager. Being a small business for almost 15 years as well, he can relate to the struggles and challenges small business owners face.
Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon Campus. He is also very active in the community where he serves on various boards and committees. He speaks Spanish fluently and works a lot with the Hispanic community.
Elliott's many years experience as the owner/operator of a VERY successfully health insurance agency, brings a skill set that includes personnel management, sales training, and health insurance. His experience as a US Navy Hospital Corpsman is evident in his personal discipline.
In addition Elliott owned and operated a small restaurant/gas station where he prepared and served meals.
Elliott also was a credit manager for Sherwin Williams Co. He was responsible for the accounts receivables and accounts payables for 16 stores in PA, NJ, & Del.
Charlie spent most of his career with ICI Paints (Glidden) in the finance area. His responsibilities throughout his career included cost accounting, budgeting, capital and inventory accounting, systems and office administration.
Charlie retired in 2004 as Operations Controller for ICI and became a SCORE counselor in 2005. He has a BS in Business Administration/Accounting from Rider University.
Ellen is President and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She provides leadership and guidance to a staff of 16 and a membership base of 2100 member companies. Prior to joining the Chamber, Ellen was President of The Manufacturers Association,. a regional trade association comprised of 370 employers from Berks and the surrounding counties. The Association provided advocacy, employee development and employee relations services to 370 member companies.
Ellen holds an undergraduate degree from Shippensburg University in Urban Studies and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
Jennifer Frantz is a Senior Operations Assistant for the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry where she serves as the Web Administrator, Board of Directors liaison and manages a variety of projects including surveys both local and national in scope. Additionally, Ms. Frantz provides administrative support to the Reading Chapter of SCORE, Counselor’s to America’s Small Business.
Ms. Frantz joined the Chamber as an Intern while attending Berks Technical Institute (BTI), She graduated from BTI in1998 having earned an Associates Degree in Business.
Bill spent thirty of his forty year career with ICI Paints (Glidden) in the supply chain area. His responsibilities throughout his career included inventory control, production planning, operations, setting up new distribution centers, warehousing, shipping, receiving, transportation, hazardous materials shipping, RF warehouse management systems, safety and health, union relations, and customer service.
Bill retired as Logistics Manager from ICI and became a SCORE Counselor in March, 2007. He earned his BS in Business Administration from Dyke College.
Shirely retired after selling First Penn Leasing in November 2006. Prior to that she worked for Meridian Bank's lending department for 10 years.
Shirley has experience in starting a small business selling "cute" stationary with a tennis theme. Shirley was responsible for the bookkeeping and managing independant sales reps. In addition she managed a snack line for Anheuser-Busch .
