Staff
Jon Parry
Director of GENIUS NY Jonathan has worked with a diverse portfolio of renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Beginning his career with a biomass gasification startup, he has implemented distributed energy systems in Europe and North America working as a project manager in Spremberg, Germany and Newry, Northern Ireland. Jonathan then joined an innovative sustainable materials company, Ecovative Design, in 2013 as business development manager to commercialize Ecovative’s mycelium based technology platform in various product markets including packaging, building materials, and insulation. Jonathan also worked on developing sales and manufacturing partnerships globally in each of these markets.
Recently, Jonathan was hired as the director of GENIUS NY, the world’s largest accelerator competition for unmanned systems. The in-residence accelerator program is hosted at The Tech Garden in Syracuse, NY. Six teams will compete for $2.75 million in funding and work to grow their technology-based startups in the Central New York region. Jonathan graduated from Clarkson University with a B.S. in Business and Technology Management and currently lives in Skaneateles, NY. jparry@thetechgarden.com |
Rick Clonan
VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Rick Clonan serves as Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for CenterState CEO, where he provides high level venture development assistance for early stage entrepreneurs, emerging businesses, and innovation industry leaders.
Rick assists mentorship efforts to connect emerging businesses and entrepreneurs with resources, subject matter experts and investors. He offers direct support for companies that are part of The Tech Garden, Clean Tech Center, Student Sandbox and CenterState CEO portfolios, and provides technical assistance in developing business plans, marketing plans and funding strategies. He also actively seeks equity investors and develops equity-based programs for funding early stage ventures. Rick brings a unique background from the private sector, startup experience and military service to the position. He most recently worked for C&S Companies as a vice president and served as a Board Advisory Group member and intrapreneur for a national consulting firm. Prior to C&S he worked for multiple start-ups and eventually started his own company that was later sold. Rick has attained three patents and won multiple best in category awards for his products. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Syracuse University and served in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard. rclonan@centerstateceo.com |
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Kara Alheim
Marketing and Events Manager Kara Alheim is the Content and Marketing Manager for CenterState CEO and working as the Marketing and Events Coordinator for GENIUS NY. She will be leading the marketing for the program which involves PR initiatives, graphic design, digital communications and event planning.
Kara has a strong background in marketing communications and graphic design. She has an M.A in Integrated Marketing Communication from Marist College and a B.A in Public Relations from Oswego State. Prior to working for GENIUS NY she spent three years working for Oswego County as their Tourism and Public Information Officer. She was the county's lead graphic designer and was the Web Master for the government and tourism sites. She also managed all social media platforms and maintained a monthly blog promoting Oswego County. kalheim@centerstateceo.com |
Lynn Hughes
Director of Operations and Events Lynn Hughes, Director of Operations, joined The Tech Garden as Associate Manager in October 2004. She is responsible for facility and operations management, and development and organization of all Tech Garden event. She represents The Tech Garden at promotional events and in community outreach.
Lynn is an experienced manager having served as Vice President of Administration with United Way of Central New York for many years. In that role she was responsible for facility management, human resources, and information technology. lynn@thetechgarden.com |
Traci Geisler
Resource Manager
Resource Manager
Traci Geisler serves as Resource Manager for The Tech Garden, where she assists early stage entrepreneurs in the development of their business by sourcing pre-vetted service providers, mentors, coaches.
Traci provides contract assistance to residents and collaborates with Tech Garden program managers to develop program contracts, investor panels, presentations, workshops and judging panels for various programs and business competitions.
Traci graduated from SU’s Newhouse School of Communications and Arts & Sciences College and began her professional career with the Communication Department of the NFL. Her experience in professional sports led to an MBA, a JD and a career in sports/entertainment, labor/employment and corporate law in New York City. Traci later spent more than a dozen years working abroad in various Caribbean countries practicing corporate, finance, securities and off-shore law before returning to Syracuse in 2013.
tgeisler@thetechgarden.com
Traci provides contract assistance to residents and collaborates with Tech Garden program managers to develop program contracts, investor panels, presentations, workshops and judging panels for various programs and business competitions.
Traci graduated from SU’s Newhouse School of Communications and Arts & Sciences College and began her professional career with the Communication Department of the NFL. Her experience in professional sports led to an MBA, a JD and a career in sports/entertainment, labor/employment and corporate law in New York City. Traci later spent more than a dozen years working abroad in various Caribbean countries practicing corporate, finance, securities and off-shore law before returning to Syracuse in 2013.
tgeisler@thetechgarden.com
