The Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center is privileged to introduce Eli Kahn as its 2015-2016 Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Eli Kahn founded E. Kahn Development Corporation (EKD) in 1994.

EKD is a privately held real estate firm specializing in the acquisition, re-positioning, and development of commercial, industrial and multi-family real estate throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. The firm’s expertise has helped transform numerous underutilized and often environmentally challenged properties into vibrant business and community centers throughout the region. EKD’s ability to identify market trends early in the real estate cycle has put the company at the forefront of the smart growth revitalization of the area’s oldest towns and boroughs. EKD manages a portfolio of approximately 5,500,000 square feet of commercial, industrial, retail and multi-family investment properties. In addition, the firm has over 600,000 square feet of transit-oriented mixed use projects either planned or under construction. Prior to forming EKD, Eli was the Director of Marketing & Leasing for J. Loew & Associates, a Chester County based real estate development firm.

Eli earned his B.S. in marketing from West Chester University.

The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center is proud to announce Janice Leone as its 2014-2015 Entrepreneur in Residence. Ms. Leone graduated West Chester University with a degree in Psychology.

Janice Leone is the president and principal of Corporate Interiors. Ms. Leone has designed and developed a service profile that is the envy of the tri-state area. Primary services ranging from delivery, installation and reconfiguration to storage/asset management, refurbishment activities and office relocation are the backbone of Corporate Interiors and the reason clients trust an organization that focuses on longevity rather than short-term gain.

She has been featured in the Philadelphia Business Journal and Smart Business – Winter 2014. Corporate Interiors has recently been awarded the Top 25 Women Owned Business in the yearly Philadelphia Book of Lists. In addition, The New Journal named it a Top Workplace among 24 others in Delaware.

The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center is proud to announce Matt Jesson as its 2013-2014 Entrepreneur in Residence. Mr. Jesson graduated West Chester University with a degree in Marketing.

In 2004 Mr. Jesson transitioned the focus of his lawn cutting business "Jesson Landscaping" into Green Lawn Fertilizing, Inc. Green Pest Solutions was launched in April of 2012. Mr. Jesson is President and Owner of Green Lawn Fertilizing and Green Pest Solutions, which is a regional lawn, pest and termite service provider. The company services South Eastern, Pa, the state of Delaware, as well as, Central and South New Jersey.

The company was recently presented with the Inc. 5000 award in Inc. magazine, which ranks the fastest growing 5000 companies in the nation. Mr. Jesson was also honored by The Philadelphia Business Journal in the class of 2013, as a "Top 40 Under 40", which highlights young professionals in the Delaware Valley for outstanding success and contributions to their community.

The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center at West Chester University recently announced Howard Lubert, PhD as its 2012-2013 Entrepreneur in Residence. Howard is the Founder and Managing Partner of SafeHatch LLC and the Co-Founder and Area President of Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic.

As Managing Partner of SafeHatch LLC, Lubert leads the corporate advisory and business acceleration services of the Wayne, PA based firm. Dr. Lubert brings his unique mix of technical and private equity related experience with Safeguard and other VC and Angel Investment related funds to SafeHatch. Prior to founding SafeHatch, he helped create the eBusiness consulting service line at Deloitte and Touche and led teams in various Inter/Intranet technology engagements. At Safeguard Scientifics he formalized the due diligence process and executed technical due diligence reviews. Dr. Lubert also developed successful channel marketing programs for many high tech firms including Novell and IBM and served as the Chairman of an international trade association for the networking technology industry.

In addition to his role as Managing Partner of SafeHatch, Howard is the Area President of the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Region. Keiretsu Forum is the world's largest and most successful Accredited Investor - Private Equity Community with over 850 accredited/angel investor members throughout twenty-three chapters on three continents. Since Keiretsu Forum's founding in 2000, its members have invested more than $300m in over 275 companies in software, telecom, health/life sciences, biotech, real estate, mobile applications, Internet, consumer products and other high growth areas.

The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center is proud to announce Gary Daniels as its 2011-2012 Entrepreneur in Residence. Mr. Daniels is a 1975 graduate of West Chester University who was a professional golfer before becoming the youngest number one agent in the 120 history of Travelers.

Mr. Daniels went on to become one of the founding members of The Creative Financial Group. Mr. Daniels' primary area of expertise is developing financial and business succession strategies for entrepreneurs with estates valued at $10 million and more. In this capacity, his clients include some of the area's leading entrepreneurs in the construction, manufacturing, wholesale distribution and food industries.

Mr. Daniels is a member of the Delaware County, Chester County, and Philadelphia Estate Planning Councils; a ten-year qualifier of the Top of the Table; a life and qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table; and a former instructor of the Life Underwriter's Training Council. A recognized authority on business succession planning, Mr. Daniels frequently addresses professional organizations such as the National Association of Manufacturers and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and Fortune magazine.

The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center is proud to announce David Gansky as its 2010-2011 Entrepreneur in Residence. Mr. Gansky graduated West Chester University in 1988 with a degree in Marketing Management. Upon graduation, he founded and served as CEO of US Maintenance Corporation.

Over a period of 20 years, Mr. Gansky built this ground-floor operation into the largest provider of maintenance services for national retail chains in the United States, with revenues in excess of $500 million. During his tenure as CEO, US Maintenance expanded into numerous new service areas and acquired several major companies. In 2006, Transfield Services purchased US Maintenance.

Mr. Gansky retired from the company in 2008 to form Longport Capital, L.L.C. and become its managing partner. Longport Capital is a private equity firm that focuses on small to mid-sized companies in the eastern United States. Longport Capital seeks majority equity in firms with long-term potential for growth and profitability. In exchange, the company provides the investment equity, strategic direction, and hands-on operational expertise essential to helping companies realize their full value. Mr. Gansky also serves on the Business Advisory Council for West Chester University.

The Keiretsu Forum is the world's largest private equity investor group. The Mid-Atlantic chapter of the Keiretsu Forum hosts a fellowship program to engage MBA students and law school students in the private equity due diligence process. The program provides a valuable opportunity for graduate students to gain practical experience, learn about private equity and the due diligence process, and expand their network.

The Due Diligence Fellows attend the monthly screening and Forum meetings held in Philadelphia, where they observe the entrepreneurs' presentations and participate in the discussions with the chapter's investors. Fellows identify the projects which interest them, are assigned to a due diligence team led by a Forum member, and assist with the due diligence process.

To prepare for the fellowship, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic President, Howard Lubert, conducts a workshop on due diligence including the Forum's rigorous due diligence process. The Fellows also receive continuous training and feedback from the due diligence team members and the chapter leaders throughout their fellowship.

The Fellowship provides a great opportunity to gain firsthand experience in private equity.

For more information, call the Cottrell Center at 610-425-5000 ext. 3456 or email cottrellcenter@wcupa.org.