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Innovation ExpoT Speakers

	Ellen Bechnia is the founder of Key2Life is the trademark for a Christian product line based on designs by Ellen. Ellen licensed the first of her designs to Dicksons and Cross Gifts in 2004 and has introduced 48 products to the market place through those agreements. The products include jewelry, stationary and home decor items that are sold through Christian Book stores, retail gift shops and various retail web sites. Through licensing, Ellen has been able to share the message of Key2Life throughout the world and will continue to pursue new opportunities through a gift book she is currently publishing and public speaking opportunities in the Christian marketplace. Ellen has enjoyed a career in Interior Design and has incorporated much of her experience into designing gifts and jewelry that will communicate a message drawn from her own experience and her passion to write and create symbolic reminders of faith.
	Phil Baker has used music to educate, entertain, and enrich the lives of young people. He has played guitar, sung, directed and produced shows, and keynoted events throughout the United States and places as far away as Australia and Costa Rica for nearly 20 years. Born in Framingham , Mass. , and currently residing with his family in Sioux Falls , S.D. , his commitment to impact the lives of children is surpassed only by his desire to be an involved dad and caring husband. Early in his career, Phil found himself writing songs about the joys in life and the innocence of childhood, songs that captured the hearts and imaginations of children. It was his desire to make children smile that led him back to the idea that music can reach and challenge children. His dynamic presentations tap the potential of today's youth, inviting them to make a difference in their families, schools, and communities, while his infectious ability to connect with an audience through songs and activities leaves young people with the impression they can help make the world a better place. Phil has earned numerous grants, nominations, and awards for his public service, and in 1987 he was selected one of the top 12 U.S. Young Men of America.
	Richard Billion is a registered patent attorney with over 20 years of experience in all aspects of intellectual property law. He currently practices intellectual property law with an emphasis in the mechanical and electro-mechanical aspects of computer hardware, medical apparatus, and other devices. Rich has extensive experience in preparing proof packages to apply patents in licensing situations. Rich earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with Highest Honors from South Dakota State University in 1980 and graduated with a law degree and an MBA from the University of South Dakota in 1983. While at South Dakota State he was a member of Tau Beta Pi, an honorary society for engineers, and Pi Tau Sigma, an honorary society for mechanical engineers, while at South Dakota State. After graduation from law school, Rich worked for the California intellectual property law firm of Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear. From 1984-86, he was a corporate attorney for Exxon Production Research in Houston , TX . From 1986-1989 he worked for Control Data Corporation as Patent Counsel of their Computer Products and Systems Division. He worked as a Senior Attorney for IBM's Intellectual Property Law Department from 1989 to 1996. He is a past chairman of the AIPLA Committee on Medical Devices and Practices, a subcommittee of the Emerging Technology Committee. Rich has traveled extensively to Asia for license negotiations and has also given speeches on how economics impact patent law. Rich is admitted to the Minnesota , South Dakota , and Texas Bars in addition to the Patent Bar.
	Eric Garland, author of Future Inc.: How Businesses Can Anticipate and Profit from What's Next , is an advisor to executives at top corporations and government agencies as an expert in competitive intelligence and research on the future. Garland has advised corporations such as General Motors, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Eli Lilly, Siemens and many others on the strategic impact of subjects such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, packaging, food, and consumer lifestyles. Founded in 2002, Competitive Futures, Inc. of Washington , D.C. is the only consultancy to combine the disciplines of futures research and competitive intelligence to give decision makers a complete view of their intelligence needs for strategic planning. We call this future intelligence, a view of strategic planning that includes the need for both short-term and long-term vision.
	Marcia Hendrickson of Lennox, SD, is the Executive Director of the Enterprise Insititute which has been helping entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers develop their businesses since 2001. Marcia has been actively promoting the value of intellectual property, entrepreneurship, angel investing and angel networks in South Dakota. She has also been involved in developing entrepreneurship educational programs. Marcia serves on the advisory boards of the Center for Innovation, Prairie Gold Venture Partners, Genesis of Innovation and the South Dakota Technology Business Center. She is a graduate of south Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, and she also is a Certified Public Accountant.
	Israel Hernandes is the Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service Mr. Hernandez was nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 3, 2005 , as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director-General of the U.S. Commercial Service. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service was created by Congress to assist small and medium-sized American businesses to export and to protect the business interests of American companies overseas. In this capacity, Mr. Hernandez is accountable to Congress for a number of mission-critical programs and initiatives. As the single point of contact in the U.S. government for trade promotion and business advocacy assistance, Mr. Hernandez oversees a global operation of more than 1,700 employees-both American and in-country staff-operating in 47 states and 80 countries. Mr. Hernandez also works to improve the reach and exposure of the Commercial Service throughout the business community at the state and local levels. Israel Hernandez received a B.A. degree with a double major in Philosophy and Political Science in 1992 from the University of Texas at Austin and a M.P.A. from the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in 1999.
	Representative Stephanie Herseth is South Dakota 's at-large Member of Congress. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raise the profile of issues important to rural America . She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota 's interests: Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs and Resources. She is Ranking Member on the Veterans' Affairs subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. Stephanie grew up on her family's farm and ranch near Houghton (HOW-ton), in the northeast part of the state. She graduated from Groton High School , Georgetown University , and the Georgetown University Law Center . She is a member of the South Dakota Bar and has taught classes on government and politics at Augustana College in Sioux Falls and South Dakota State University in Brookings. In 2003, she served as the executive director of the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, working to further economic prosperity and cultural vitality in rural South Dakota . Stephanie currently lives in Brookings.
	Rob Hodgson of McKee, Vorhees, & Sease PLC, was born in Sioux Falls , SD and received his bachelor of arts degree in biochemistry from the University of Iowa in 2000 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2004. Rob joined MVS in 2003. He previously worked with the firm as a clerk during summer 2002. His practice focuses on patent prosecution in the area of biotechnology and litigation. While attending law school, Rob was a research assistant for Intellectual Property Law Professor Mark Janis working mainly on projects relating to plant biotechnology, the interface of intellectual property and anti-trust issues and trademark law.
	US Senator Tim Johnson has deep roots in the State of South Dakota . Tim was born in Canton , moved to Flandreau, and in 1965, graduated from high school in Vermillion. He graduated with honors from the University of South Dakota and continued on to earn both a master's degree in political science and a law degree from USD. After practicing law in Vermillion during the late 1970s, Tim began a long and committed career in public service. Before being elected to the U.S. Congress, Tim spent eight years in the South Dakota state legislature, serving for four years in each of the two houses. In 1986 he was elected to represent South Dakotans as the state's lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he would go on to serve five terms. After a distinguished career in the House, Tim was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996, where he is currently serving his second term. In 2004, Tim was named to the Senate Ethics committee, and in February of 2006 he was appointed to the Air Force Academy's prestigious Board of Visitors. Now South Dakota 's Senior Senator, Tim is a member of several important Senate Committees, including the Appropriations, Budget, Banking, Energy and Natural Resources, Ethics, and Indian Affairs Committees. Issues important to South Dakotans , such as agriculture, economic development, education, and healthcare remain top priorities for Tim as he serves in Congress. Tim and his wife Barbara Brooks Johnson have three children and three young grandchildren. Their oldest son Brooks has served in Bosnia , Kosovo , South Korea , Afghanistan , and Iraq as a member of the U.S. Army. Brooks, his wife Naida and son Ari live in Illinois , where he is based. The Johnsons' second oldest son, Brendan, is currently a practicing attorney in Sioux Falls , where he lives with his wife Dr. Jana Beddow Johnson, and sons, Sutton and Cooper Johnson. Their daughter, Kelsey, a graduate of the University of South Dakota , is now working in public service in Washington, DC .
	Steve Kirby is a founding partner of Bluestem Capital Company. He is a graduate of Arizona State University with a BS Degree in Political Science and a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree. Mr. Kirby was secretary and senior claims counsel for Western Surety Company, a national surety bond company, from 1977-1992. He was the 35th Lieutenant Governor of the State of South Dakota from 1993 through 1995. He was also a candidate for Governor of South Dakota is 2001-2002. Mr. Kirby is a member of local, state and national Boards of Directors. He is a speaker at various entrepreneurial and college forums.
	Al Kurtenbach of Brookings is co-founder and chairman of Daktronics, Inc., a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of large screen computer-programmable video displays and score boards
	Troy Leonard of Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith P.C, joined the firm in 2005 after practicing in Sioux Falls for many years. Troy practices in the area of intellectual property with particular emphasis in the field of trademarks. Troy graduated from the University of South Dakota , where he majored in Philosophy, Criminal Justice and Psychology. Troy is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Dakota . Troy is a member of the South Dakota State Bar Association, the Second Judicial Circuit Bar Association, and the International Trademark Association. Troy has chaired the Intellectual Property Committee for the South Dakota State Bar. He has also served on the Board of the Sioux Falls Tennis Association. Troy and his wife, Karen, are the proud parents of four children spanning two decades. Troy is a tennis enthusiast.
	Eric McDonald co-founded DocuTAP and serves as the company's CEO. He is also a member of the company's Board of Directors. Mr. McDonald champions sales and client relations, and offers vision for technology and product design. He leads the development of DocuTAP's sales and marketing strategy using a hands-on approach. Realizing the power of mobile, hand-held applications in the healthcare industry, Mr. McDonald initiated the DocuTAP software product concept in 1999. He worked directly with physicians for over two years, in their own clinical environment, to design and develop DocuTAP software. Prior to co-founding DocuTAP, Mr. McDonald served as an IT consultant in a Phoenix-based consulting firm, working with large corporate clients. Mr. McDonald holds a bachelors degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Northwestern College in Orange City , Iowa.
	Mark Nelson founded Maximum Promotions in the early 1980's. It all started when Mark started selling custom shirts door-to-door in Sioux Falls, SD while he was a law student at the University of SD. What started out as a part-time job, turned into a career of creating customized products and promotions for businesses throughout the country. Mark and his staff of dedicated employees will help you with the pride and professionalism that you deserve.
	Rock Nelson of Sioux Falls Development Foundation and theChamber & Airport Authority is a 4th generation Sioux Falls native. Having graduated from Augustana College with an Economics major and German minor, he worked in the fast food industry at his parents' firm for a number of years. In 1990, he created and grew Northern Plains Recycling, Inc. from a 1 person operation to 23 full time employees. His firm kept 998 - 50 ton railcars of paper product out of the Sioux Falls Landfill during its 7 years of existence. During this time it exported multiple shipments of used paper products to Japan , Mexico and Canada . Since having sold his business to a Milwaukee , Wisconsin based company Rock has been employed by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and Sioux Falls Regional Airport Authority as their International Marketing Director. It is his responsibility to assist businesses within South Dakota and the tri-state region with their imported and exported products. He provides competitive air and ocean freight rates, assists with insurance needs, sources overseas manufactured products, tracks freight, finds lost freight and lost documents, researches duty rates & solicits competitive customs brokerage rates. Rock works very closely with several freight-forwarders that have offices worldwide as well as with a variety of U.S. Customs brokers. His relationships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food & Drug Administration, E.P.A., D.O.T., Fish & Wildlife and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms serve as good resources for aiding our region's importers and exporters. During his 7 ½ years of employment the South Dakota U.S. Customs & Border Protection's Sioux Falls Port of Entry has seen considerable growth. Its well developed infrastructure serves to promote more economic activity for our entire region. In short - his job is to ensure that international shipments either coming into or going out of our region go as seamless as possible!
	Governor Michael Rounds was sworn in as South Dakota 's 31st governor on January 7, 2003 . Mike Rounds is committed to working with South Dakotans to make the state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. He believes South Dakota 's children are its most valuable resource and that every child in the state should receive a quality education. Governor Rounds is encouraging South Dakotans to make healthy choices that lead to longer, healthier lives, and he has initiated an effort in state government to help state employees make healthy choices. He is encouraging every South Dakotan to follow this lead. From 1990 to 2000, Republican Mike Rounds was elected to serve South Dakota for five terms in the state Senate and to represent District 24, including Pierre and the surrounding areas. In 1994, he was chosen by his peers to serve as Senate Majority Leader, a post he held for six years.
	Anthony L. Strauss is an attorney practicing in technology transfer, licensing, and services for academic institutions. Tony received a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor, cum laude , also from the University of Minnesota . He worked several years for a Minneapolis company, Graco, Inc., in new product design and development. For the last 22 years Tony worked in technology transfer at the University of Minnesota and directed the office the past 7 years. The University of Minnesota consistently ranks among the leading technology transfer offices nationwide. Tony's experience includes technology evaluation, technology and portfolio management, technology marketing, license negotiation, and license enforcement. He is a member of the Association of University Technology Managers and the Licensing Executives Society. Tony is a registered attorney in Minnesota currently on restricted status.
	Mark Steinkamp is Daktronics Marketing and Sales Support Manager, in charge of marketing communications and corporate communications for Daktronics, Inc. Steinkamp earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism/advertising 1984 from South Dakota State University with emphasis in graphic design and English. In 2003, Steinkamp graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with an master's degree in business administration. Daktronics became a publicly-traded company in 1994, and from that time until 2004, Steinkamp also served as the company's investor relations manager.
	US Senator John Thune grew up in Murdo , South Dakota . His interest in politics was sparked at a young age after making five of six free throws during a freshman basketball game. He was greeted by a spectator who said, "I noticed you missed one." That spectator happened to be well-known sports enthusiast and U.S. Representative Jim Abdnor. The introduction was the start of a friendship that ignited John's career in public service. In 1989, John and his family returned to South Dakota , where he served as the Executive Director of the South Dakota Republican Party. In 1991, Governor George S. Mickelson appointed him the State Railroad Director, a position he held until 1993, when he became Executive Director of the South Dakota Municipal League. In 1996, with a shoestring budget and the support of family and friends, John won his first term as South Dakota 's lone member of the United States House of Representatives. John was reelected to a second term by the largest margin in South Dakota history. He returned again to Washington in 2001 to serve his third term in the House. Thune then honored his 1996 campaign pledge to serve only three terms in the House of Representatives. After a narrow loss in a Senate race in 2002, Thune won his Senate seat in 2004, when he made history by defeating a sitting Senate party leader for the first time in 52 years. Thune serves on the Armed Services Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Small Business Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee.
	Michael Wagner, President of White Rabbit Group, is a skilled communicator, facilitator and business coach. As a brand design company, White Rabbit Group helps business leaders discover their relevant brand promises to achieve various business goals and objectives. Mike's marketplace interests include leadership, personal development, creativity and organizational branding. He has spoken to and worked with clients ranging from small and medium size businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Mike also has working experience in leading for-profi t and non-profit organizations in the development of their strategic solutions for the Internet. A public speaker and communicator for more than 25 years, Mike brings highly relevant messages fi lled with people and business insight. His style is energetic and interactive. Real life stories touch and motivate Mike's audiences to achieve their best. One recent participant noted, "Mike is his own visual aid! He touched my heart and my mind!" Mike's speaking has taken him across the nation to address business leaders at various levels. He was recently a featured speaker for COMDEX Chicago and Internet World. Due to Mike's experience, clients often request custom-crafted branding messages for their meetings and presentations. Keynote speeches, consulting, workshops, and facilitation of meetings and retreats form an important part of White Rabbit Group's client services.
	Paul Wessel has the exclusive license from Nintendo for developing a medical device called GLUCOBOY®; a unique way of metering blood glucose for children who have diabetes. His newest venture is a partnership with the South Dakota Soybean Growers to build the High Plains Biofuels biodiesel refinery near Volga , S. D. Wessel's two ventures are a complete contrast yet it was his initial work in the diabetes field that brought both projects to fruition. He has been working on GLUCOBOY® for five years. High Plains Biofuels came together in five months. It was Wessel's connections with an investor group, Transocean Securities Pty. Ltd. in Australia and with a good friend, Tom Kersting, an executive at South Dakota Soybean Processors, whose son also has diabetes that led to the creation of High Plains Biofuels.