Purpose
The Entrepreneurship and Career Development (CECD) Advisory Board at Marietta College consists of an external group of professionals with a diverse range of knowledge, skills, and abilities that guide the Senior Director of CECDE in creating and maintaining timely and relevant curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular programs that aim to accelerate entrepreneurship education and professional development at Marietta College and facilitate the development of an entrepreneurial mindset among all students.
Guidance and Feedback
The advisory board provides guidance and feedback on:
- Curriculum
- Relevance and quality of the Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship, as well as the Minor and Certificate programs in Entrepreneurship.
- Co-curricular and Extra-curricular
- Relevance and quality of co-curricular and extracurricular initiatives such as the PioBiz Competition, the BIG Workshop, Speed Mock Interviews, Resume and Cover Writing Workshops, etc.
- Direction
- The strategic direction of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development.
Assistance and Support
The advisory board assists and supports CECD by:
- Funding Sources
- Identifying funding sources for various CECD initiatives.
- Financial Contribution
- Personally making a financial contribution of at least $250 toward CECD and/or engaging in fundraising activities.
- Role
- Personally serving as judges, mentors, guest speakers, and workshop leaders for the Center's initiatives and/or recruiting other individuals to fulfill those roles.
Promotion and Advocacy
The advisory board promotes and advocates CECD by:
- Visibility
- Actively aiming to increase the visibility of the Center on and off campus.
- Networks
- Using personal and professional networks and contacts to publicize the Center.
- Opportunities
- Identifying and suggesting opportunities for students to enrich their education through internships, service-learning opportunities, shadowing, research, and other practical work experiences.
Advisory Board Membership
Membership
The advisory board membership shall consist of the Senior Director, Assistant Director, and 6 to 15 external members made up of individuals who have an interest in fostering the growth of an entrepreneurial mindset and professional development programming. In addition, each year, a faculty member and a current or recent graduate of Marietta College will serve on the CECDAB for one year without financial contributions.
Internal Stakeholders
Occasionally, internal stakeholders such as the President, the Vice Presidents, the Provost, the Associate Provosts, Grant Officers, and the Dean shall be invited to participate in advisory board meetings.
Compensation
The membership in CECD is voluntary and uncompensated
Terms
The members of the CECD advisory board shall be elected to a three-year term. Advisory board members can serve up to two consecutive terms after which an advisory board member must be off for at least one year before consideration as a future member.
Appointment
New members will be appointed by the Center’s Senior Director in consultation with the existing members of the advisory board as terms expire. Nominations will be accepted.
Meetings
The advisory board meets at least twice a year in-person or virtually.
Special Meetings
Special Meetings may be called by the Chairperson or the Senior Director of the Center
Voting Rule
Any action that requires the approval of the advisory board is determined by a simple majority vote of the members who are present at the meeting.
Communication
The CECD's Senior Director shall be in contact with the advisory board members electronically, periodically bringing questions to their attention and seeking their advice or requesting their assistance in certain areas.
Officers
Board Officers
The advisory board shall consist of three officers: the Chair, the Vice Chair, and the Secretary. The three officers constitute the executive committee.
Terms
The Chair and Vice Chair will be elected to a one-year term. The Chair and Vice Chair cannot serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position. The Secretary may serve indefinitely.
Board Chair
The Chair of the advisory board will be appointed by the Center's Senior Director. The chair shall be responsible for
- Agendas. Prepare meeting agendas
- Meetings. Preside over all meetings unless otherwise delegated, or in his/her absence the chair shall arrange for other members to preside at each meeting.
- Committees. Appoint standing committees and subcommittees, and delegate tasks and follow-up work
Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair is appointed by the director in consultation with the board chair. The Vice-Chair serves as the board chair in the absence of the Board Chair
Secretary
The Secretary is appointed by the Center's Senior Director in consultation with the board chair. The Secretary, with the assistance of the Director, shall be responsible for:
- Records. Keeping records of the EAB actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all Advisory Board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Advisory Board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.
- 2025–26 Members
Robin Ambrozy (First Term Ends 2027-28)
Robin is a dedicated Business Advisor with the Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Ohio University, where she has been helping small businesses in Washington, Monroe, Morgan, and Noble Counties grow and thrive since 2021. With a strong background in leadership, project management, accounting, and human resources, Robin leverages her prior experience as Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Customer Service Leadership at Ohio University and small business owner to provide practical, results-driven advice. She specializes in supporting startups and established businesses with strategic growth, funding, operational improvements, and market analysis, offering tailored guidance to empower entrepreneurs and foster long-term success. Her passion for local economic development makes her a key resource for businesses navigating the challenges of scaling and innovation.
Nathaniel Berger (First Term Ends 2025-26)
Nathaniel Berger is the Director of the LIGHTS Regional Innovation Network, and an Executive Coach for the Social Enterprise Ecosystem program within the Ohio University Impact Enterprise Team. Housed within the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, he provides entrepreneurial development technical assistance support to social enterprises and nonprofits, with a focus on early-stage venture formation and new enterprise initiatives. Today he is mentoring and guiding entrepreneurs and students alike, while engaged in partner coalition building and grant administration.
Alex Hogan ’18 (First Term Ends 2027-28)
Alex Hogan is the Co-Founder and President of FlexCrew, President of 3PLS, and Part-Owner of Thunderbolt Running and Timing. FlexCrew is the “Indeed” of skilled construction recruitment, while 3PLS is referred to as the best masonry staffing agency in the United States, with over 140 employees working in more than 30 states. Thunderbolt Running is a local 5K timing company that offers comprehensive race timing for nearly forty local charity events a year. Alex holds an MBA from NKU, a BA in Management from Marietta College (2018), and a professional certificate from MIT for the usage and implementation of generative AI. He mentors student entrepreneurs and speaks at industry events on leadership, technology, and labor trends.
Jeremy May (Faculty Member, Term Ends 2025-26)
Jeremy serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Environmental Science Department at Marietta College. He has also served as the director of the Master of Environmental Sustainability Leadership Program at Marietta College since 2024. Prior to his appointment at Marietta College, Jeremy served as an Assistant Research Professor at Florida International University and has 18 years of research experience. His academic credentials are a PhD in Biology from Florida International University (2016), MS and BS from Grand Valley State University (2011 and 2008).
Kristin Meeks ’04 (Chair, Second Term Ends 2026-27)
Kristin Meeks is a 2004 graduate of Marietta College with a BA in Marketing and a 2007 graduate of West Virginia University with a master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. She has taught small business entrepreneurship, marketing, and communication courses since 2005 at the graduate and undergraduate levels at Marietta College, West Virginia University, Washington State Community College, and WVU-Parkersburg. Meeks is the owner and founder of WV Social Media a niche marketing firm based out of the Parkersburg, WV area. She is actively involved in the area Chamber of Commerce, sits on the downtown PKB Board of Directors, and is a past president of the Belpre Chamber of Commerce. She was also a part of the 2015 class for Generation Next 40 under 40 by the West Virginia State Journal. Meeks is an active 4-H volunteer. She resides in Williamstown, West Virginia, with her husband and daughter.
Chris Pfeiffer (Second Term Ends 2027-28)
Chris Pfeiffer is the COO of Danser, Inc., a custom metal fabrication and installation contractor based in Parkersburg, WV. He is also the founder and president of Sourdough LLC, a business consulting and marketing company focused on helping entrepreneurs in the relentless pursuit of opportunity, as well as the owner of The Bread Garage, a micro-artisan bakery. In addition to growing several small businesses, Chris has years of executive leadership experience in the manufacturing and construction industries, is known for his energetic approach to leadership as he drives results through continuous improvement and employee development. Chris is a strong community advocate and has a passion for creating employment opportunities in Appalachia. He is a 1995 graduate of Walsh University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature.
Tres Ross ‘97 (First Term Ends 2026-27)
Tres is the President & CEO of Woodcraft Supply LLC, one of the nation's oldest and largest suppliers of quality woodworking tools and supplies, proudly serving customers from 118 countries who have a variety of skill levels, from craftsmen to novices. The retail locations and website feature more than 20,000 items for a wide range of woodworking pursuits, offering free demos, classes and knowledgeable advice from on-site, experienced woodworking staff. Tres has taken the reins of Woodcraft after spending 19 years developing The Ross Foundation from an idea to implementing the organization. The foundation funded and, in some cases, implemented various initiatives that strengthen the MOV through areas of Education, Community / Economic Development, Arts, Disabilities, and Animals. Several key initiatives have been Discovery World on Market, a children’s museum in Parkersburg, lead investor in the new technology center for WVUP, called WVUP ITC (Innovation & Technology Center), several initiatives in investing in makerspaces / entrepreneurship initiatives, downtown development initiatives to revitalize communities, among many other initiatives. He has a BA in Management with a minor in Economics from Marietta College and a MBA from West Virginia University.
Jesse Roush (First Term Ends 2026-27)
Jesse C. Roush serves as the the President and CEO of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority. His career began with a decade of service in the energy sector, during which he collaborated with a diverse group of stakeholders to consistently deliver projects on time and within budget. Transitioning to a role in economic development in 2016, Roush has led a suite of local and regional initiatives, including the acquisition and revitalization of two former coal-fired power plants. Over his two-decade career, Roush has provided mission-critical support for over $100M in site and infrastructure development projects. He holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing, a Lean Green Belt, a Certificate in Management and Leadership, a Certificate in Technical Project Management, and a Master of Science in Project Management, all from Ohio University. Roush also serves as President-Elect for Marietta Noon Rotary, on the Warren Local Board of Education, and as a board member for four local nonprofits.
Justin Shanklin ’25 (Student Member, Term Ends 2025)
Justin Shanklin is a senior Marketing major at Marietta College with minors in Entrepreneurship and Graphic Design. He brings a well-rounded student perspective to the Academic Board of Entrepreneurship, combining academic focus with active campus involvement. In addition to his role on the board, he is a committed member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
Amanda Sutphin (First term Ends 2027-28)
Amanda Sutphin serves as the Regional Talent Coordinator for Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), where she plays a key role in strengthening the region’s workforce and supporting business growth through strategic talent solutions. Backed by over 21 years of experience in public service and workforce development, Amanda brings deep expertise from prior roles at COAD, Washington County Job and Family Services, and Area 15 OhioMeansJobs. A proud resident of Washington County for over 30 years, she is passionate about creating opportunities for Southeast Ohioans. At OhioSE, Amanda works closely with project managers and workforce partners to help businesses thrive and ensure the region is equipped with a skilled, future-ready workforce.
Bill Wilkinson (First Term Ends 2027-28)
Bill Wilkinson is the Owner of Wilky’s Sports Bar, Wilky’s on the Water, and co-owner of Mid-Ohio Valley Employment (MOVE), which currently has 4 locations. He graduated from Muskingum University with a Bachelor's in Accounting and Business and has completed Master's Level coursework at Ohio University in Finance/Business. He previously worked at Perry and Associates CPAs for 16 years in various roles. He resides in Marietta and has 4 adult children. He is very active in the community, serving on several Boards and committees. He enjoys playing sports of all types and has officiated numerous High School and College Sports, most notably Basketball for 32+ years.
Mike Workman (Second Term Ends 2027-28)
Mike Workman is the founder of Contraxx Furniture, co-founder of the Morgan Community Fund, and past director of the Morgan Community Improvement Corp. He is an entrepreneur at heart and loves to help others find their way through business start-ups and give back to their local communities.
“Entrepreneurs are curious, creative, and compassionate people,” Mike says, “I enjoy listening to their towering ideas and helping make their dreams come true!”
Linn Yost (First Term Ends 2025-26)
Linn Yost is the owner of Micro Machine Works, Inc., a CNC machining facility in Barlow, Ohio creating tight tolerance parts and assemblies for the aerospace, DoD, health sciences, geosciences, food processing and chemical industries. Linn is also the President of the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition (AOMC), an industry sector partnership of manufacturing companies and organizations connecting passionate people with practical experiences and successful careers. The organization is led by manufacturing employers focused on a single industry to address the unique needs of the Appalachian Ohio region through a neutral governing body. Currently, AOMC covers six counties in Southeastern Ohio. Currently, Linn serves on the Boards of Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) Apprentice Works Program, Building Bridges 2 Careers (BB2C). He also serves on the Curriculum Advisory and Business Advisory Boards of many high schools and community colleges in Southeast Ohio.
