Board Members
Officers
Michael Birdsell is Director of Intellectual Property Marketing & Business Development at the University of Nevada, Reno. He has experience with a wide variety of business development projects, including senior management roles in early stage start-up companies, both Angel/VC-funded and University-based. This includes SBIR-funded start-up projects, taking early stage technologies to market. His business experience is varied, including venture capital project management, health contract negotiations, and client services direction. He holds a B.S. from Arizona State University, where he studied Business and Liberal Arts, and is currently finishing his MBA.
Don Borwhat is President and CEO of Creative Human Resource Solutions, LLC, a Reno/Lake Tahoe based consulting firm. His twenty-five plus years of leadership and business experience in high tech, sales, manufacturing and service allows Don to implement transformational change by shaping positive attitudes and perspectives. He has consulted with many fortune 500 companies and governmental agencies.
Don's business career progressed from Human Resource Manager (HRM) for General Electric's (GE's) Power Generation Business to HRM for GE's Aircraft Engine Business as HRM. His employee involvement & empowerment programs and his ability to assess and coach key talent were recognized by Jack Welch, who promoted Don to Sr. Vice President of Human Resources. Don spent the next several years coaching and providing Jack with executive assessments on key employees.
Don left GE in 2002 and began consulting full time. His work as a motivational speaker, teacher, and coach has been referenced in the Wall Street Journal & several college text books. He received the prestigious Optimus Award of Workforce magazine for developing HR organizations into true business partners. He received President Clinton's Workforce 2000 award, has appeared on MSNBC, and has been featured in HR and other magazines In 2004, he was recognized by Intuit for developing their HR teams into business partners in his effort to help position Intuit's Payroll and Quickbooks businesses for success.
Fred Sibayan is CEO and Chairman of the Board of Vortex Intellectual Property Solutions, Inc., a company providing solutions to companies that must manage, report and track their intellectual property, including Security Exchange Commission compliance. Fred was also President and Chief Executive Officer of VSL Networks, which provided in motion vehicular satellite products and services. He is the managing partner of Sibayan and Associates, LLC, which manages investments and offers consulting services. He was Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Vice President Strategic Relationships and Business Development, and co-founder of Exodus Communications, Inc., which manages data centers for marquee accounts, providing services and back-up. Exodus went public in 1998, offering its IPO under EXDS. Fred's business experience includes positions as CEO, President, Chairman of the Board, Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, Managing Partner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Vice President Strategic Relationship, Vice President of Business Development, Director of Sales, and Contractor/Consultant. He served in the United States Marine Corps (1966 - 1970), and for his service received multiple decorations for meritorious service and valor. Fred received his bachelor's degree in business from San Jose State University.
Kerry is an Attorney at Drinkwater Law Office and focuses her practice in the areas of corporate/business law, intellectual property law, and non-profit/tax exempt entities. Kerry has helped many businesses during start-up, as well as providing counsel for any continuing business needs, and has assisted businesses in retaining and securing their intellectual property. She has overseen successful acquisitions, sales and mergers of businesses and worked closely with businesses to ensure successful business practices. Kerry also works with non-profit businesses to obtain non-profit status, implement necessary corporate governance rules and obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS.
Kerry is also a CPA. Her practice as a CPA focused on audit and attest services with Arthur Anderson LLP with a large variety of companies. Kerry graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. She also attended the College of William & Mary School of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctor.