October 2003

Madison E-Zone Second Anniversary Celebration

Over 350 attendees helped the Madison E-Zone celebrate its second anniversary at The Madison in Covington.  The law firm of Graydon Head and Ritchey served as the primary sponsor for the event.  In addition, Schiff, Kriedler & Shell, CincyTech USA, and Reeves Communications supported the event.

Through a short awards program, The Madison E-Zone recognized a number of the leading volunteers, supporters and entrepreneur visionaries at the event.

Awards included:

Alex Edmondson, Covington Visionary Award

A Covington-based attorney and entrepreneur, Alex has been involved with the City of Covington since earning his law degree. In addition to being Vice-Mayor of the City of Covington, Alex is also well-respected as a leader in Covington’s urban renewal. He has renovated several buildings and has contributed greatly to Covington’s revitalization efforts. He was recently named a member of The Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2003 Forty Under Forty class—a prestigious honor. He is involved with numerous community and business organizations, and has served on the Board of Directors of Madison E-Zone since September of 2001.  “When I think of the passion that an entrepreneur requires to succeed, I think of Alex,” commented Casey Barach, Executive Director of the Madison E-Zone.

Special Recognition, DS & JS Properties

As owners of the building where Madison E-Zone resides, DS & JS Properties and Jim Salyers have done a great deal to the contribute to Madison E-Zone’s success, including supporting the E-Zone in several endeavors. A pioneer in Covington’ urban revitalization, Salyers has invested more than $5 million in Covington, transforming several run-down buildings into functional, desirable spaces. He began investing in Covington before it was fashionable to do so, opening The Madison, and then The Madison South as a sister facility for The Madison. His newest venture is The Madison Bridal Connection, a full-service facility for planning and hosting weddings.  

Volunteer of the Year, Judi Ketteler

Judi has been involved with Madison E-Zone since the accelerator opened its doors, first as an employee and now as a volunteer. An original member of the marketing committee, Judi helps the E-Zone craft all written communications, including press releases, newsletters and website content. As a freelancer writer, Judi has written for local publications such as The Cincinnati Business Courier and The Cincinnati Post, covering everything from technology trends to arts and culture features. She also edits and writes for Design Magazine, in addition to working on copywriting projects for design firms and corporate communications departments.

Volunteer of the Year, Andie Bernard of The BG Group

Recruited to Madison E-Zone's marketing committee in 2001, Andie Bernard--along with her partner in the BG Group, Meshell Giblin--has spent countless hours working on branding and marketing strategy for Madison E-Zone. She currently leads the marketing committee, and has worked with several other E-Zone companies developing public relations and marketing campaigns, including recent graduate Tier 1 Performance Solutions. Along with business partner Meshell Giblin, she has acquired an impressive list of clients for the BG Group. The core focus for the BG Group is to elevate the corporate community in terms of marketing and public relations while remaining a committed community organization.

New Business Award, Tier 1 Performance Solutions

Tier 1 opened their doors at the Madison E-Zone in 2002. Norm Desmarais a founding partner of Tier 1 Performance Solutions has been involved with the Madison E-Zone since the beginning, first, heading up the Mentor Committee and later becoming an active board member.  Tier 1 has extensive expertise in e-learning, leading technologies, change management, and end user acceptance to find solutions to business problems.  During its brief existence, Tier 1 has developed a very impressive list of clients, including Kraft Foods, Wendy’s International, Fidelity and Federal Express. The senior consultants in the firm have been featured at numerous seminars, on industry panels, and in a variety of national publications. 

“The Madison E-zone really helped accelerate the set up and growth of our business.  The support network, resources and infrastructure it provided helped us focus on our business and rapidly expand our services,” stated Chief Operating Officer, Greg Harmeyer

Tier 1 graduated from the E-Zone in the spring of 2003 and is now located in the Technology Corridor of Covington.  Since graduating from the E-Zone, Tier 1 has grown to over 30 employees.  “Tier 1 is a great example of what it takes to succeed – Great management, and great products and services,” commented Barach.epitomizes what we hope for all of the E-zones

Corporate Sponsor of the Year, Belcan

Belcan provides full service engineering, design and build, application technology, procurement, information technology, technical and temporary staffing, and multimedia services worldwide.  Dick LaJoie, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer of Belcan accepted the award.  Belcan is active in many new economy projects in Kentucky, including playing a major role with the award winning ConnectKentucky project.  “Belcan’s support of the E-Zone was initiated during the absolute doldrums of the recent recession; their support at that time was clear indication of Belcan’s dedication to support the new economy in Northern Kentucky.  Belcan and its many areas of operations, including Belcan Partners, is an entrepreneurial gem in our region,” stated Casey Barach of the E-Zone. 

Civic Sponsor of the Year, The City of Covington

The City of Covington has been one of the largest supporters of the Madison E-Zone since the beginning.  The City has been consistently focused on urban renewal and economic development initiatives and the Madison E-Zone complimented those efforts. The City has encouraged the forward thinking of the Madison E-Zone board of directors to develop a plan for a technology corridor that will encourage small businesses to open doors in the downtown area of Covington.  Casey Barach had these words regarding Covington, “Progressive and proactive are two terms not normally associated with government.  Covington’s initial and continued support of the E-Zone is just that – progressive thinking and a proactive approach to the future of Covington.”  

2003 E-Zone Founders Award, Casey Barach

Madison E-Zone Founder and current President of the Board, Tom Prewitt, gave Casey Barach the inaugural E-Zone Founder Award.  Tom’s remarks included, “And most importantly, when others gave up hope in the wake of  severe stock market declines, dried up venture capital, and the so called “tech wreck,” (Casey) stayed the course and inspired others to do the same knowing that the engine of our economy starts with the entrepreneur.  (Casey) continues to serve as a tireless advocate of our entrepreneurial economy. “