Biographies
RoseAnn B. Rosenthal
RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, President, CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Ben Franklin since 1996, has over forty years of experience in business investment, regional planning, and economic development. Rosenthal has piloted Ben Franklin into a national model for technology innovation, investing in innovative enterprises and creating commercialization pathways and partnerships throughout the region. Ben Franklin’s current company portfolio represents more than 120 companies with more than $28 million in
invested funds.
Rosenthal’s leadership proved invaluable in 2010 as Ben Franklin successfully partnered for the Energy Efficient Buildings Hub (EEB). The U.S. DOE and other federal agencies awarded $129 million to develop the EEB Hub, where Ben Franklin leads the Intellectual Property management and commercialization work. The EEB Hub’s innovative commercialization model was based on the success of The Nanotechnology Institute™ (NTI) Rosenthal co-developed. Created in 2000, the NTI is the region’s first multi-institutional partnership focused on accelerating nanotechnology commercialization and company formation.
Rosenthal is an inaugural member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She is also on the boards of the Fox Chase Bank, the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, the Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Board in Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Congress and many others. Rosenthal holds a bachelor’s degree from Temple University and, in 2007, received an honorary Ph.D. in Humane Letters from Philadelphia University. She was presented the Early Stage East Founders Award in 2008; and in 2009 honored with the Blair Thompson Lifetime Venture Award from the MAC Alliance and the Champion of Small Business Award by the National Coalition for Capital. In 2012, Rosenthal was inducted into the Temple University League for Entrepreneurial Women’s Hall of Fame.
Adare McMillan
Adare McMillan is Chief Administrative Officer for Ben Franklin. McMillan has over twenty years of experience in both public and private industry in implementing systems conversions, improving financial processes, and executing strategic and operational plans.
At Ben Franklin, McMillan leads the Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Programs Analysis and Development Departments. Previously, McMillan served as Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer at the National Constitution Center, in Philadelphia.
McMillan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting (Cum Laude) from the University of Scranton, and his Master of Business Administration degree in Corporate Finance from Drexel University.
James Gambino
James Gambino is Vice President of Technology Commercialization: Physical Sciences for Ben Franklin. The Technology Commercialization Group creates pathways to commercialization for companies and researchers by building consortia with universities, government and private partners. Gambino is responsible for developing and managing Ben Franklin’s regional energy strategy, seeded with funding from the Commonwealth’s Alternative Energy Development Program. He represents Ben Franklin in the Energy Efficient Buildings Hub (EEB), as Leader for Deployment, Demonstration and IP Management.
Gambino has successfully commercialized high value disruptive technologies across multiple markets as a senior executive in multinational companies, joint ventures, and start-ups. Prior to joining Ben Franklin, Gambino was Vice President and CTO at Elementis Specialties, Inc., a specialty chemical company, where he was responsible for research and development, new business development, and licensing. Jim is also a board member of the T.C. Chan Center for building energy and technology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Gambino earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York, and completed the Business Management Executive Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Anthony P. Green, Ph.D.
Anthony P. Green, Ph.D. is Vice President of Technology Commercialization: Life Sciences for Ben Franklin. Dr. Green has over thirty years of experience in the biotechnology industry, with a specialization in the research, development and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies. The Technology Commercialization Group creates pathways to commercialization for companies and researchers by building consortia with universities, government and private partners.
Dr. Green leads Ben Franklin’s region-wide technology partnerships and major initiatives, including the Nanotechnology Institute™, the Energy Commercialization Institute, the Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance (MANA®), various life sciences related initiatives, and efforts around the development of new commercialization models.
Dr. Green earned a Sc.B in Immunology with Honors from Brown University, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at Temple University School of Medicine.
Terrence H. Hicks
Terrence H. Hicks is Vice-President of the Investment Group for Ben Franklin. Hicks is responsible for all of the organization’s investment activities. Ben Franklin has a portfolio of over 120 early and emerging-stage technology companies; one of the largest such portfolios in the country.
Hicks came to the Ben Franklin in 1993 after twenty years of experience in small business lending and corporate treasury activities with Fidelity Bank (currently Wells Fargo) and Sun Company respectively. Hicks previously served as Vice President of Sun Company’s Specialized Small Business Investment Company. In addition to managing Ben Franklin’s investment activity for over ten years, Hicks also co-founded the Minority Angel Investor Network, the nation’s only organized angel group investing in high growth minority owned or led companies.
Hicks earned a BA in economics from Swarthmore College and an MBA in finance from LaSalle University.
Mark deGrandpre, Ph.D.
Mark deGrandpre, Ph.D. is Director of Investments, Physical Sciences, for Ben Franklin. Dr. deGrandpre has over twenty years of experience with innovative business and technology development. He is responsible for a portfolio of over thirty early-stage physical science companies in the region, and for identifying new investment opportunities. Dr. deGrandpre manages Ben Franklin’s Alternative Energy and Clean Technology company portfolio. He has significantly improved deal flow and enhanced portfolio quality since he joined the team in 2006. Previously, Dr. deGrandpre was Director of Technology and New Business Development for Polysciences Inc., a privately held specialty materials company headquartered in Warrington, PA. Throughout his career, Dr. deGrandpre has also worked for Rohm and Haas Company as Director of Corporate Development: Licensing, as well as numerous other positions within the company and in joint ventures.
Jennifer Hartt
Jennifer Hartt is Director of Investments, Life Sciences, for Ben Franklin. Hartt directs all of Ben Franklin’s life sciences investments in companies with technologies ranging from medical devices and diagnostics to therapeutics. Hartt has invested in over thirty companies for Ben Franklin since arriving in 2005. Hartt holds a Bachelor’s degree, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, as well as a Master’s in Biology, both from the University of Pennsylvania. She has prior experience in lab research, clinical settings, business consulting for small and large companies, technology evaluation, licensing and equity management. Prior to joining Ben Franklin, Hartt was Associate Director of Business Development & Equity at the University of Pennsylvania. Hartt is involved in regional activities in technology development education and commercialization programs such as in being on a science curriculum audit committee, evaluating business plans, judging entrants in the Eastern Technology Council Enterprise Awards, mentoring students and representing her organization on the oversight committee for Coulter funding of translational research at Drexel University.
Alan R. Kraus
Alan Kraus is the Director for Information Technology Investments at the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania managing a portfolio of more than 40 active early stage IT company investments. With investments generally ranging from $100,000-$500,000, Alan has presided over companies that have created 100’s of jobs in Pennsylvania and raised more than $150,000,000 in follow-on funding. In the last four years, his portfolio has had 20 successful exits. In addition to being closely involved with applicants prior to formal funding decisions, once a company receives a Ben Franklin investment, Alan, supported by a highly skilled group of independent portfolio manager consultants as well as his colleagues at Ben Franklin, assists in coaching the company in numerous areas including fundraising, financial statement analysis, business plan and marketing materials development, Board management and development, making introductions and on-going strategic and implementation planning.
Prior to joining Ben Franklin in 1998, Alan was the Manager of Resource Development and a Business Consultant at the Temple University Small Business Development Center. Additionally, he had worked several years as a manufacturer’s sales representative of women’s accessories and also as an entrepreneur, helping to found Optimum Executive Search, a Silicon Valley firm specializing in the placement of software professionals.
Alan received his MBA at Temple University and his BBA from the University of Michigan.
Omar G. Mencin, DBA
Omar Mencin, DBA, Director of Special Projects, Investment Group, works on sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities as well as managing Ben Franklin’s activities with the Project Liberty Digital Incubator. He also supports the further development of the Investment Group’s entrepreneurial services, acceleration models and capital formation strategies.
Prior to Ben Franklin, Omar was Co-Founder and CEO of the US Market Access Center, a high tech incubator focused on helping foreign-based technology companies successfully enter the Silicon Valley and greater US Markets. He previously worked at the World Bank and Goldman Sachs. Omar holds a B.A. with Honors in political science and economics from Swarthmore College; graduate degrees from Stanford University in Management Science, Engineering and China Studies; and a doctorate in finance from the International School of Management.
Jaron J. Rhodes
Jaron J. Rhodes, head of the Marketing and Communications Department, is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur and inventor.
Rhodes is responsible for developing and implementing brand management strategies to promote Ben Franklin’s mission,
programs and clients to entrepreneurs, researchers and investors throughout the region and nationally.
Previously, Rhodes was the co-founder and CTO of The LobeMan Group, LLC, a media company focused on the design and manufacturing of consumer electronic products.
He has ten+ issued or pending patents.
Rhodes graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in 2002, and is currently completing an MBA at Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
David L. Cohen, AICP
David L. Cohen, AICP, Senior Manager of the Program, Analysis and Development Group, has 25 years of experience in program development, management and implementation across grant writing, policy research and economic development. At Ben Franklin, Cohen conducts economic research, develops metrics, and manages databases. He provides support for execution of new funding opportunities, program proposals and initiatives, focused on sustainable energy and technology commercialization. He also develops and maintains regional partnerships, and implements the web-based Pennsylvania Energy Economy Map and other interactive web design and analytical tools.
Cohen was previously the Director of Development for the North Philadelphia Health System.
Cohen earned an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University, Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois, and B.S. in Communications, Politics and Law from Emerson College. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association.
Mark S. Trabbold
Mark S. Trabbold, Director of Business Development, Technology Commercialization Group, will lead the Delaware River Water Alliance (DRWA), and support other technology development and commercialization programs. Mark will also support Ben Franklin’s EEB Hub related program activities.
Mark has 30 years of experience in innovation, process engineering and construction. Prior to joining Ben Franklin, Mark was Vice President, R&D, Insulation Group, CertainTeed Corporation, a North American building materials manufacturing company, where he was responsible for R&D and new business development. He also held prior Technical Management and Product Development positions at CertainTeed. Mark holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Eastern University.
