Steve Weathers
President & CEO, 
Regional Growth Partnership and Rocket Ventures
Steve Weathers joined the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) as its President and CEO in September of 2005. In addition, Steve leads Rocket Ventures as its President & Managing Director. Under Steve’s direction, the RGP, working in conjunction with its many partners in the region, has worked to create more than 4,000 new high-paying, high-skilled jobs in the region. Steve also led the effort to create the region’s first ever pre-seed venture fund, Rocket Ventures, a $22.5 million early-state investment fund comprised of $7.5 million of private investment capital, as well as a $15 million grant from the State of Ohio.

Steve spent 11 years in San Diego, California as Vice President of the San Diego Economic Development Corporation and 5 years in Tucson, Arizona as President of the Greater Tucson Economic Corporation. There he was involved in the attraction, retention, growth and start-up of more than 500 companies. His most notable successes were the attraction of the Novartis Genomic Research Center, Gateway Computers headquarters, the LEGO Theme Park and the SPAWAR Defense headquarters to the San Diego region. In Tucson he worked to attract GEICO, Citigroup and Intuit Software national service centers to the region.

Steve is also actively involved with the venture capital community, having raised more than $75 million, as well as investing in numerous start-up companies over the years. He held senior management positions with the financial firms of Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo Bank at their west coast headquarters located in San Francisco and San Diego, California. 

Steve sits on numerous boards, including the International Economic Development Council, the CORENET Global Midwest Region Board of Directors, the State of Ohio Strategic Planning Committee and the Science & Technology Corridor Operating Committee.

He is a graduate of California State University at Chico and holds a National Certification in Economic Development (CEcD).

Greg Knudson
Director, Rocket Ventures
Greg Knudson joined Rocket Ventures with over 25 years experience in senior sales, marketing, and business development with manufacturing technology corporations selling advanced technology systems including robotics, machine vision systems, and multi-million dollar measurement and testing technologies, as well as value-added services to the major automotive manufacturers in North/South America, Europe and Asia.

He began his career at the General Motors Corporation world headquarters as senior marketing manager for GM’s Latin American and European operations. After GM, Greg worked with major manufacturing technology companies where he was involved in technology-based entrepreneurial start-up operations and intrapreneurial business expansions — including working for an advanced technology start-up company that received over $25 million in venture capital, went public and dominated the world in its space.
Greg was a consulting partner with Miller Heiman — a world leading business consulting firm in Reno, Nevada, and volunteered his time to help entrepreneurs and start-up companies through SCORE – a program of the SBA. Greg is currently an Adjunct Professor of marketing and international marketing in the Graduate Business School at the University of Findlay. He serves on the board of Aquablok, LTD.

Greg earned his B.A. from Valparaiso University, his M.A. from Western Michigan University, and his PhD. (ABD) and taught at The University of Florida — with studies concentrating on economics, demography and international business. Greg also studied for one year at Cambridge University in England. You can contact Greg at knudson@rgp.org.

Bob Savage
Fund Manager
As co-founder and managing partner of Savage Consulting and CoreNetwork, Bob Savage has played a key role in the growth of the venture capital industry in Ohio. His knowledge of business and funding strategy, negotiation, financial analysis, strategic sales management and contract management has made him a valuable partner for the RGP and its programs. Bob previously worked in mergers and acquisitions at Libby-Owens-Ford and Seagate Venture Management. Prior to that, he was with Monoky Associates, where he was a consultant and trainer.

Active in his community, Bob is an investment committee member at the Toledo Community Foundation, a member of The University of Toledo College of Medicine Advisory Council, a board member of the Toledo Chapter of Rotary International, a member of the strategic planning committee for the College of Business at The University of Toledo, and the former vice-chairman of both the Lucas County and City of Toledo Planning Commissions.

A Toledo native, Bob received his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. You can contact Bob at savage@rgp.org.

Paul Horst
Entrepreneur in Residence
Paul Horst joined Rocket Ventures in 2008 as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence after over 35 years as a serial entrepreneur in the high-technology sectors of industrial computer automation and alternative energy. Paul provides management support for early stage companies in the alternative energy/clean tech cluster. His experience ranges from the bootstrap start-up to senior management.

He founded a firm that pioneered the use of computer displays and controls for factory automation, resulting in a new billion dollar industry. His products were utilized by GE, Honeywell and Siemens. For his accomplishments, Paul was named entrepreneur of the year for the State of Michigan. He then joined DTE Energy where he led the alternative energy subsidiary. He and his team advised DTE’s venture capital fund that formed Plug Power and invested in smart grid technologies, solar energy, flywheels, and advanced engine technologies. He was an advisor in the creation of Nextenergy, a State of Michigan alternative energy incubator.

Paul earned his BSE (ChE) and MBA at the University of Michigan, where he currently lectures on entrepreneurship. He also studied at Oakland University and the University of Madrid, Spain.

He is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church, and he and his family are avid sailors, logging over 40,000 miles of ocean passage. You can contact Paul at horst@rgp.org.

Jon Klotz
Entrepreneur in Residence
Jon Klotz guides Rocket Ventures clients within the agbioscience industry. He brings to RV an extensive and diverse portfolio of work in the corporate world, honing skills in the agbioscience and industrial manufacturing industries.

Most recently, he was senior business consultant at IPA, Inc. where he leveraged his expertise to help several small companies manage their business activities and refine their business plans to accelerate profitable growth. He gained expertise in the ag/bioscience industry, first as COO with Vail Products, and prior to that as corporate VP of NAMSA Corporation.

In the manufacturing arena, Jon was a member of the board of directors at the BBA Holding Company, where he specialized in transactions involving first and second tier automotive plastics suppliers. He held the positions of CFO, COO, and member of the board of directors at The Andersons, where he was instrumental in integrating the company’s marketing, financial, and retail functions.

Jon has served on several community non-profit boards including: the Bishop’s Education Council, Chair of the Implementation Committee for the study of Toledo Public Schools, President of the Business Advisory Council of The University of Toledo, Chair of the Board of St. Vincent Medical Center, and Chair of the Riverside Hospital Foundation.

He received his bachelor of business administration from George Washington University and completed several graduate programs at Harvard University. You can contact Jon at klotz@rgp.org.

Mike Bogdan
Investment Fund Analyst

Mike Bogdan joined Rocket Ventures in 2008, with a strong finance and risk management background.  His key role with RV is to provide financial and business analysis and oversight to the Pre-seed fund, screening potential client companies and managing the due diligence process. He also provides post investment support and value creation.

Prior to Rocket Ventures, Mike spent a combined 12 years in the financial services industry as a vice president in the Business banking group at Key Bank and as an executive VP and senior lender at a local community bank. He also held sales and management positions in insurance, food retail brokerage, and technology industries, gaining invaluable experience working with entrepreneurs. He currently serves on the boards of ADS Biotechnology and Ceuticare Company, LLC.

Mike obtained his bachelor of business administration with a concentration in finance from The University of Toledo in 1987.

Active in his community, Mike serves as a faculty resource and student mentor at The University of Toledo College of Business, is a member and small business advocate for the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, audit committee member at Lutheran Homes at Wolf Creek, Waterville Boy Scout Troop 101 assistant scout master and merit badge counselor, and building finance committee member for the Community of Christ Lutheran Church.  You can contact Mike at bogdan@rgp.org.

Brian Genide
Business Development Manager

Brian Genide is the Business Development Manager for the advanced Biosciences and Biotechnology   division of Rocket Ventures.  He brings extensive experience from the entrepreneurial medical device and high end capital equipment industry. In addition to experience in sales and strategic marketing of medical devices, Brian has several years of clinical experience in the emergency medical services.  Brian’s unique skills give him a strong understanding of both the business and technical needs of Rocket Ventures clients. Prior to Rocket Ventures, Brian worked as a Business Development Executive for Siemens Medical, GE Healthcare, and Abbott Vascular Devices.

Brian is a graduate of the University of Toledo, and holds a Bachelors degree in Arts and Sciences. He additionally attended the University of Toledo Medical Center, with successful completion of the Paramedic training program in 1994. You can contact Brian at genide@rgp.org.

Dave Miller
Business Development Manager

David Miller is the business development manager for Rocket Ventures, responsible for helping to develop high-potential start-up companies in the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology sector. David has more than 25 years of experience in technical sales and marketing technology commercialization in the instrumentation, controls, and electronics (ICE) sector. He has successfully managed several new product release programs across North America and Europe.

David received his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Drexel University and is a graduate of General Electric’s Technical Marketing Program. He currently serves as Northwest Ohio’s representative to the Ohio Aerospace Working Group where he has served as an advisory board member for the Northwest Ohio Partnership for Alternative Energy Systems and has twice been nominated for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the year. You can contact David at miller@rgp.org.

Julie Myers
Marketing Manager
Julie Myers oversees Rocket Ventures’ strategic marketing, branding, advertising, and promotional initiatives. In addition, she provides marketing support for Rocket Ventures client companies. She comes to Rocket Ventures most recently from Sky Financial Group, where she was a Communications Consultant. In this role, Myers conceptualized and directed web and print-based corporate communications initiatives, consumer branding, and market intelligence strategies.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from The University of Toledo. She is a member of The Association for Women in Communications, and actively volunteers for the United Way and The American Cancer Society. You can contact Julie at myers@rgp.org.

Craig Ortega
Project Manager, Ignite Grants
Craig Ortega’s skills in project management and experience measuring performance assist entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. In his role as the Ignite! Program Manager he reviews grant proposals, presents companies to the funding body, and administers grant funds. He comes to Rocket Ventures from AAI Corporation, an aerospace and defense development and manufacturing firm, where he was a program specialist in the Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems division. In that role, he served the Department of Defense in helping to manage a refurbishment program for surveillance equipment. Prior to AAI, Craig was a material coordinator at Ford Motor Company’s experimental engine development operations.

He holds a Masters degree in Higher ED Administration from Washington State University and a BA in Communications from The University of Toledo. Craig is active in EPIC Toledo, and serves as a member of the Economic Development Team. You can contact Craig at ortega@rgp.org.

Dan Slifko
Business Development Manager
Dan Slifko brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience to Rocket Ventures. Specializing in the Advanced and Alternative Energy field, Dan is dedicated to helping companies with their strategic and business development plans. A seasoned entrepreneur, he was Part-Owner, President, and General Manager of Alternative Services Inc., a direct supplier to the Automotive Industry.

Dan has been a statewide board member for the Ohio Peerspectives Program as well as a Business Advisor and Judge for both the Ohio Statewide Graduate Student Competition and the Bowling Green State University Entrepreneur Program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing from Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, WV. You can contact Dan at slifko@rgp.org.