>>> Contributors
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Summer, 2011
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1 2 4 Robert Kravontka has over 35 years experience in Connecticut manufacturing operations and technical sales. His book, “Lean Selling,” illustrates to the sales professional the need to streamline the sales approach and general practices, which in turn leads to a more effective sales pitch and client relations strategy.
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Robert serves on the board of directors for the Connecticut Green Building Council, and is chair of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) central Connecticut chapter. He is also a past regional chair of SME New England. A graduate of the University of New Haven, Robert holds a bachelors degree in Manufacturing Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration.
Michael Perrelli is the Marketing Specialist with CONNSTEP where he is responsible for developing the content, markets and promotions of CONNSTEP training, networking and outreach programs. Additionally, Michael works with the Manger of Marketing & Communications on organizational market development, website maintenance and trade show efforts.
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Before joining CONNSTEP at the end of 2010, Michael worked for the Alcone Marketing Group, a promotional agency based in Darien and for SourceMedical in Wallingford, where he controlled multiple direct marketing and trade show efforts for the leader in ambulatory surgery center management software.
5 Kathy Hokunson is the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Site-Seeker, Inc., an internet marketing firm specializing in search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, social media and ROI.
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Site-Seeker, Inc. works with clients to drive qualified visitors to their websites, convert visitors to buyers, measure results achieved and develop improvement plans based on performance. Kathy was one of the earliest adopters of the business uses of social media, spending her career making the bottom line case for internet marketing, including social media adoption.
Rebecca Mead is the Manager of Marketing and Communications for CONNSTEP where she directs the marketing, public relations, legislative communications and all CONNSTEP outreach events, including the annual CONNSTEP Manufacturing & Business Conference.
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Rebecca is the President-Elect of the American Marketing Association Connecticut Chapter and is an alumnus of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and The University of Hartford. Rebecca was named as one of the 2011 Hartford Business Journal 40 Under 40 recipients and was honored with the 2010 NIST/MEP Unsung Hero Award.
6 Ken is the Founder and Managing Director of Peer to Peer Advisors. His background includes over twenty years consulting with high growth and middle market companies, focusing on marketing, sales and growth strategies. Ken’s consulting includes five years as a Senior Contract Consultant for Inc. Magazine.
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He’s written two books published by The American Marketing Association and McGraw-Hill, and is completing his third book, appropriately titled “Rainmakers.” He has written columns for The Hartford Business Journal, The Boston Business Journal and The AMA website.
Mike Gugger is CONNSTEP’s Machining Technology Consultant where he provides consulting and training solutions in machining and metal removing technologies.
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Prior to CONNSTEP, Mike was with TechSolve, Inc., Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, where his roles included Manager of Machining Services, Manager of Special Projects for supply chain and Lean engagements, and Manager of the company’s Manufacturing Research Lab. He is a Certified Lean Sensei, GE trained Six Sigma Green Belt, and NIST certified Lean Training Leader with more than thirty published articles and research papers.
connstep.org
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