WTBC Staff
To contact any member of the WTBC staff :
E-mail: wtbc@uwyo.edu
Phone: (307) 766-6395
Jon Benson, Chief Executive Officer (Director)
Jon is currently the CEO of the Wyoming Technology Business Center - a statewide business development program of the University of Wyoming that is developing a technology business incubator and an outreach program focused on early stage high growth companies. Prior to joining UW in July 2005, he was the CEO of an early stage medical device company which was founded in 1998 to develop and market an optical mammography device using light from lasers to image breasts. Jon led the company through three rounds of financing and the development and testing of an experimental and Alpha prototype. In addition, he helped the company obtain SBIR Phase I and Phase II funding from the National Science Foundation and Phase I funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Prior to this, Jon was the founder & CEO of The Ben Craig Center, Inc. a technology -related business incubator started in 1986 associated with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He led the Center through its start-up phase, the development of a new 50,000 sq. ft. facility in 1990, and the establishment of a European subsidiary in 1993. Prior to the Ben Craig Center, Jon was a Program Manager with the National Science Foundation from 1979 to 1982. Jon received his BA from Miami University and his MA and Ph.D degrees from The Ohio State University.
William (Bill) Schepeler, Vice President of Client Services (Assistant Director)
As Vice President of Client Services at the Wyoming Technology Business Center, Bill provides advisory services and tracks progress of client companies while promoting the mission and goals of the WTBC to entrepreneurs and businesspeople from the state of Wyoming. Bill’s background in business counseling, entrepreneurship, sales and marketing, finance and management makes him a valuable asset to the WTBC.
Prior to the Wyoming Technology Business Center, Bill worked as a PSC/International Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce. While with the Department of Commerce, Bill helped to promote exporting activities at a statewide level among small Wyoming businesses, networked with U.S. Commercial Officers worldwide to execute the global business strategies of clients, and provided customized market research and trade counseling to client companies.
Bill also worked for the Wyoming Small Business Development Centers as a Small Business Counselor for two years, gaining tremendous experience and knowledge in counseling small businesses. As a counselor, Bill helped engaged clients with networking opportunities with various governmental agencies, financial institutions, economic development groups, and other necessary resources. While with the SBDC, Bill developed and facilitated workshops, presentations and seminars to promote the mission and goals of the SBDC.
Bill received his A.A. in Business Administration from Miles Community College. He then went on to further his education, receiving his B.S. in Finance from the University of Wyoming.
Eli Mark, Facilities Manager
Eli Mark is the Facilities Manager for the Wyoming Technology Business Center. Eli provides numerous support activities that are vital to success of the WTBC. The WTBC entrusts Eli with the operation and maintenance of the building including the coordination of maintenance with minimal client impact, the creation of testing protocols for various equipment and the development of procedures in case of equipment failure or disaster. In addition, Eli acts as the coordinator for various correspondence and meetings between the University of Wyoming, and the WTBC clients and staff. Eli also performs the essential function of maintaining the WTBC’s accounting system including tracking usage of grants, maintaining the budget, invoicing, and purchasing.
Prior to the WTBC, Eli previously worked for the University of Wyoming Accounts Receivable Office as an Office Assistant, Senior and StarTek in the realms of customer service, quality assurance and resource planning and support capacities.
Troy Scott, Systems Specialist
Troy Scott is the Systems Specialist for the Wyoming Technology Business Center. Troy provides advanced level technology expertise for staff and clients of the WTBC. While responsible for general computing and information infrastructure, Troy also helps coordinate the WTBC’s IT needs with the IT services provided by the University of Wyoming. Also, Troy is responsible for the configuration, administration, and security of the Data Center operated by the WTBC. Documentation of the the LAN, WAN and operational infrastructure also falls within Troy’s duties. Troy’s experience and educational background, as well as dedication teamwork, makes him a crucial addition to the WTBC team.
Prior to the WTBC, Troy worked for Raytheon Polar Services Company in the Information Technology Department of the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. As a member of a five person team, Troy was responsible for the installation, configuration, administration, and security of a multi-platform environment including Microsoft Windows and UNIX servers and server clusters. Troy performed tasks such as server inventory, consolidation of server infrastructure, documentation of server configurations and operating procedures, and user training.
Troy received his B.S. in Management Information Systems from the University of Wyoming. He then went on to further his education, receiving his M.S. in e.Business from the University of Wyoming.
Rachel Martin, Administrative Assistant
Rachel is the Administrative Assistant for the Wyoming Technology Business Center. Rachel handles the conference facility and ensures that they are booked and coordinated correctly. This facility includes the audio and video conferencing, web streaming, re-arranging of the furniture, and basic trouble shooting of the integrative systems. Rachel actively performs services as the front desk receptionist to provide assistance to guests and clients. Rachel also performs administrative duties for WTBC clients as needed.
Rachel has previously worked in clerical capacities for Pence and MacMillan, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and FEMA.
Rachel received her B.A. in English (emphasis in writing) from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She is in the process of finalizing her choice of a master’s program.
Luke Schneider, Graduate Assistant
Luke is a Graduate Assistant for the Wyoming Technology Business Center. Luke received two grants that have made the position possible, one was from the John P. Ellbogen Graduate Fellowship in Entrepreneurship New Ventures and the other is the Bud & Bing Mortenson Entrepreneurship Internship.
Before joining the WTBC Luke worked in the medical industry for the last seven years. Luke also has work for a not-for-profit organization that helps troubled teenage boys.
Luke received his B.S. in Zoology and Physiology from the University of Wyoming. Luke is now currently working towards completing his M.B.A. from the University of Wyoming in May 2008.
Dawn Vertner, Graduate Assistant
Dawn is a Graduate Assistant/Intern for the Wyoming Technology Business Center. A grant from the John P. Ellbogen Graduate Fellowship in Entrepreneurship New Ventures makes her graduate assistantship possible.
Prior to the WTBC, Dawn interned for KPMG, LLP in the Denver, CO office in the Audit business unit. While interning, Dawn participated on the audits ranging in size from very large, public clients to small, private businesses.
Dawn received her B.S. in Accounting from the University of Wyoming. Currently, Dawn’s working towards the completion of her M.S. in Accounting from the University of Wyoming in May 2008.