The Idea Village Identifies Top Entrepreneurs For New Program in 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2005

(New Orleans) - The first meeting of The Idea Village's newest program is tonight at Dickie Brennan's Palace Café. The ACE Program is designed to accelerate the development of high growth entrepreneurial ventures by connecting them to resources and facilitating the execution of their business requirements.

Eleven entrepreneurs were chosen to participate in a nine month program focused on creating successful business strategies. As part of the program, the Idea Village staff facilitates group meetings with influential leaders and/or one-on-one introductions.

"The plan for The Idea Village has been to grow a community of entrepreneurs, which we have accomplished over the past couple of years with our Boot Camp Program, and connect these future leaders with our existing New Orleans leaders”, said Tim Williamson, President of The Idea Village. "Each ACE Entrepreneur will develop an individualized growth plan specific to their company's needs and objectives. The goal is execution of the plan utilizing all available resources in the community.”

The ACE inaugural class of 2005 includes:
•  F. Del Agnew, Co-Founder & CFO, EquityMetrix, LLC
•  Shawn M. Barney, Principal, SHA Consulting, LLC
•  Leah Milana Bauer, Owner & Designer, Pooch
•  Keith L. Crawford, CFO, Discovery Alliance International, Inc.
•  Joel Dondis, President, Joel Catering and Special Events
•  Milena Merrill, CEO & President, Isis Films, LLC
•  Maria Muro, Publisher & CEO, Southern Woman Magazine
•  W. Anthony Patton, CEO, EBONetworks, LLC
•  Kenneth Purcell, CEO, iSeatz.com
•  Christopher J. Skinner, Managing Partner, MakeBuzz, LLC
•  Michael Tilly, President, Technology Exchange

“The success of entrepreneurs is not only dependent on knowing their fellow entrepreneurs, but also connecting with “mentors” in the community”, said Sandra Lombana, VP for The Idea Village. “The Idea Village has created informal settings starting tonight whereby the entrepreneurs have an opportunity to visit, exchange war stories, and learn first hand from select mentors in the community. We thought it was only fitting to have the kick-off orientation dinner with Dickie Brennan who will share his entrepreneurial wisdom and New Orleans business experience.”

The Idea Village is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that generates economic development in the New Orleans region by accelerating the growth of entrepreneurial companies.

 

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