Current News
For Immediate Release

Philadelphia, PA - December 16, 2003 - Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) today announced several staff promotions and additions.

Susan Evatt, former director of product implementation, was promoted to senior director of the Technology Commercialization Services department assuming management responsibility of the technology commercialization group. Evatt has more than 20 years of experience in this arena including positions at Smiths Industries Aerospace (Trenton, NJ) as a Product Area Manager and Liberty Technologies (Conshohocken, PA) as an Engineering Manager and Quality Program Manager.

Alan Kraus, former director of Investments and Entrepreneurial Services department, was promoted to the position of senior director. Kraus now has day-to-day management responsibility of the department’s activities as well as providing direct oversight of Ben Franklin’s information technology portfolio.

Katie Rotella, former accounting services coordinator, was promoted to manager of administrative services. Rotella assumes oversight of all office management and human resources activities, including the assessment, development, and implementation of centralized administrative systems and company policies and procedures. Rotella also has responsibility for training and supporting staff in administrative policies, procedures and systems, and provide consultation on administrative issues to senior management.

Laurel Simkovich has been hired as BFTP/SEP’s controller. Simkovich was formerly controller of the National Disease Research Interchange. A Pennsylvania certified CPA, Simkovich received a BA from University of Chicago in Social Sciences and Philosophy and an MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management in Boston.

Danielle Rangnow has been hired as BFTP/SEP’s accounting manager. Previously, she worked at Milligan & Co, LLC as a staff accountant performing audits, compilations, reviews, and tax returns. Rangnow received a BA in accounting from Widener University.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) is dedicated to growing the region through science, technology and entrepreneurship. Now commemorating 20 years of innovation excellence, Ben Franklin provides entrepreneurs and established businesses the capital, talent, and expertise they need to compete. Like its namesake, Ben Franklin invests in, builds upon and delivers solutions that grow communities and create new wealth by supporting today's technological ideas and tomorrow's scientific discovery.