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Management Team
"Bob Savage and CoreNetwork have been outstanding deal flow sources for our group, as well as truly valuable co-investors."
- John O. Huston, Managing Member, the Ohio TechAngels.
Robert J. Savage - CoreNetwork Founder/Managing Partner
Bob brings a wealth of experience to the CoreNetwork management team, working with both early and growth-stage companies. In addition to managing CoreNetwork, he is the Founder and President of Savage Consulting, an organization which has supported regional businesses for more than 13 years via business and funding strategy, negotiation, financial analysis, strategic sales management and contract management. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business, Bob has previously worked as the General Manager and Director of International Sales at New Waste Concepts and as a consultant at Monoky & Associates. He serves on a few corporate boards in addition to several community boards/committees, including the Investment Committee of the Toledo Community Foundation and on the board of the Toledo Chapter of Rotary International.
Ben Trumbull - Vice President
Ben Trumbull is a Vice President at CoreNetwork. Prior to joining CoreNetwork, Trumbull worked for The Nielsen Company consulting to Procter & Gamble in their Oral Care and Pet Care divisions. At GE Capital, Trumbull was a member of the Experienced Commercial Leadership Program, working in the Enterprise Client Group servicing the company's top lending customers. Before business school, Trumbull worked at the Northaven Development Group, a family office where he helped manage and operate the family's Venture Capital and Private Equity investments. Trumbull received an MBA from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Denison University.
Steve Rafac - Vice President
Steve Rafac is a Vice President at CoreNetwork and has over 20 years of management and ownership experience in small and medium sized organizations. Rafac has held Senior Management positions in multiple organizations in varying industries. Rafac has most recently created a Business Software Solutions unit within DMC Technology Group. The unit features products from SAP and INFOR. He continues to serve as a Partner with DMC. As President of Beverage Equipment Supply (BESCO), Rafac focused on driving down costs and improving profitability by utilizing IT and developing an Internet presence and online sales system to increase sales. Over a ten year period, Rafac grew BESCO tenfold to over $20 million, and oversaw the sale of the organization to Manitowoc Company. Rafac's background in IT, Marketing and Operations allow him to have tactical perspective, as well as strategic expertise; assisting businesses in establishing and obtaining their goals. Rafac received his Masters' degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of DePaul, and his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Akron.
John Pletz - Associate
Prior to joining CoreNetwork as an Associate, John Pletz was a Financial Advisor at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch in Sylvania, Ohio. As a Financial Advisor, Pletz worked with his clients to develop financial plans tailored to help each client realize their personal goals. He has several years of experience evaluating investment opportunities, performing due diligence and financial analysis. Previously, Pletz worked as a project manager with a home remodeling contractor and focused on meeting specific budgets and deadlines. He was a small business owner who maintained daily operations including employee and inventory management, marketing, payroll and taxes. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from The University of Toledo with an emphasis in Finance and Financial Services. While at UT, Pletz was a member of the UT Student Managed Portfolio Team, managing an equity portfolio for the UT Foundation.
John A. Collins - Advisor
John has over 25 years of direct experience in the emerging business space, including several management positions in small and early-stage companies, in addition to a venture capital and banking background. He is the Chief Operating Officer of AquaBlok, a growing composite materials company based in Toledo, Ohio. Previously, John was the Vice President of Operations and the Vice President of Business Development for Surface Combustion, Inc., where he directed acquisitions, contract negotiations, product development, marketing, all corporate IT functions and logistics. John served as the primary investment officer and portfolio manager for SeaGate Venture Management, where he closed acquisitions and investments totaling roughly $20M, and has also been involved in several other high-growth and start-up companies.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Ujvagi - Office Manager
Betsy is the Office Manager and administrative director for CoreNetwork. Working with Mr. Savage since the inception of CoreNetwork, Ms. Ujvagi is very competent and uses her knowledge to assist investors and companies alike processing new investor documentation and coordinating all correspondence. Betsy studied English at Bluffton College and received her Associates degree from Owens Community College.
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