SCORE and the Kalamazoo Chapter

10-Dec-2008 For Immediate Release

Contact: Jack Miner, Managing Director, BC Ventures, 269-962-7526

EVENT: BC-Connected: “SCORE and the Kalamazoo Chapter”

SPEAKER: Norm Kelly, Vice-Chairman of the Kalamazoo Chapter of SCORE

DATE: Thursday, February 14, 2008 – 5:01 – 7:00 PM

LOCATION:
Battle Creek Unlimited Conference Room
Frederick R. Brydges Customs Cargo Center
4950 W. Dickman Road, Suite B-2

OVERVIEW – BC-Connected is a local group interested in emerging technology companies and provides a forum to share ideas, encourage risk taking, support innovation and muster resources to assist in the development of this vital sector of our business community. We believe the opportunity for mutual support and understanding will help provide the environment necessary for knowledge-based businesses to grow and prosper in our community.

Norm Kelly, Vice-Chairman of the Kalamazoo Chapter of SCORE will be the guest speaker for this event. Norm Kelly, a native of North Carolina, has 40 years experience in manufacturing. He started his career with the Fridgidare Division of General Motors in 1966 as an assembly worker and quickly advanced to a supervisory position. He left GM in 1992 serving as Manufacturing Manager for Delco Products Division in Dayton, Ohio. He then joined Boston Gear for 10 years as Director of Operations for the company’s Louisburg, North Carolina manufacturing plant. He came to Battle Creek in 2002, to work for David Brown Union Pump, retiring as Director of Operations in 2006. During this period, he had responsibilities for Textron facilities in Annecy, France, Burlington, Ontario and Battle Creek, Michigan. He is SME in Lean Manufacturing, “Green Belt” in six sigma and proficient in “the Toyota production systems.” Norm’s community involvement and activities include service as President of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of United Way of Franklin County and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Franklin Regional Medical Center. He is currently Vice-Chairman of the Kalamazoo Chapter of SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business.”

Free business counseling is provided by SCORE Kalamazoo. This service is provided by working and retired executives on a one-to-one basis and is conducted at our offices in downtown Kalamazoo or at the Portage District Library. Telephone counseling is also available throughout the week.

SCORE business counseling will help your business:

Increase the value of your business by growing sales, earnings, and cash flow; Identify and solve problems related to various aspects of your business; Develop business plans; Assist with marketing plans and promotional strategy; Integrate online business strategy with your off-line business strategy; and provide access to small business resources.

To have your name added to the mailing list of the BC-Connected or to reserve your place at the February 14 meeting, please contact Sonja Dotson at dotson@bcunlimited.org.

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