Melissa Duff Melissa Duff Brown is the Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center and Dean of the Small Business Program at the Joseph Business School. Since 2012, Melissa and her team have provided business consulting, training, and assisted over 1,300 aspiring and established entrepreneurs. During that time, over 80 businesses were launched that created and retained over 500 jobs and $3.5 million in funding was secured. Melissa is an expert on small business start-up, business development, and has consulted on brand awareness, internet marketing, and social media aspects of more than 100 businesses. Melissa began her career as a small business staff accountant for a CPA firm and has held positions in the banking, construction, electronics, and most notably in local government as a legislative aide and chief of staff. She is an award-winning Director of Sales & Marketing with over twenty years in the hospitality industry with a proven ability to manage multi-functional teams and multi-million dollar budgets and is a specialist in pre-opening. Melissa also holds a degree in Digital Media Production, is a Six Sigma Green Belt, an Adobe Certified Education Trainer, and a Certified Business Development Advisor. She is one of 1,600 advisors in 29 countries certified to use GrowthWheel, a tool to help to small and medium business focus and take action to grow their businesses. She is further distinguished as a graduate of the Living Word School of Ministry and is the current President of the Illinois Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth Association.
Cleveland Brand BA in Computer Science and a Joseph Business School alumni Certifications: A+, MCE, MTA: Networking, MTA: Security Area of Expertise: Information Technology Courses taught: Networking Fundamentals and Security Fundamentals Email address:cbrandtu@sbcglobal.net
Geri Alexander Geri Alexander, BSE/CE, PMP, ITILv3, Six Sigma, Microsoft Certified – is an accomplished Systems Engineering/IT Consultant with over 18 years of experience in industries such as telecommunications, government, defense, supply chain, and healthcare. She holds degrees in Electrical & Computer Engineering and has worked with the likes of The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Lockheed Martin, UPS, and Motorola Solutions just to name a few. Having formerly served as Women’s Business Council Chair for a Fortune 500 Tech company, Geri is the Founder/CEO of ‘STEMulateHER’- a training and advocacy program where she travels the globe championing reform for minority women and girls in STEM. She uses this platform to encourage education and bring about awareness in academia and the marketplace for such underrepresented communities. She is a devout Christian, is married, and has four children – three in college and one high-school senior.
Ivy Bennett MBA, MPH BA in Computer Science and a Joseph Business School alumni Certifications: Project Management Professional through Project Management Institute (pmi.org) Area of Expertise: Marketing and Project Management Courses taught: Goal Setting God’s Way, Writing a Winning Resume, Interviewing Success
Katie Keller BA in Computer Science and a Joseph Business School alumni Certifications: A+, MCE, MTA: Networking, MTA: Security Area of Expertise: Information Technology Courses taught: Networking Fundamentals and Security Fundamentals Email address:cbrandtu@sbcglobal.net
Phyllis Flynn Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude Organizational Management, 1st Touch Technology Service, LLC President Skills: Web Design, Graphic Design, HTML5, Wiring Design and Installation, MS Office Software, IT Training Email address:phyllisflynnceo@gmail.comAchieving over 30 years’ experience in information technology at the U.S. Postal Service, Chicago District, as Computer Programmer / Systems Analyst, Telecommunications Specialist and Lead Information Systems Technologist, Phyllis proved herself as a subject matter expert. Coupled with 20 years of specialized skills in training introductory and advanced technology courses to her peers and corporate executives, Phyllis is recognized as an accomplished instructor. Phyllis’ firm belief and enthusiasm to help others grow through the use of technology, empowers her as a champion of change. Phyllis Flynn is a 2010 alumnus of The Joseph Business School (JBS). While attending JBS, Phyllis established and managed 1st Touch Technology Service, LLC as a service orientated company focused on eliminating the disparity between those with access to technology and those with limited or no access to technology. To expand pursuit of her passion, Phyllis volunteers as an instructor in The Joseph Business School, Continuing Education & Professional Development (CEPD) Department teaching Introduction to Computers I and II
Dr. E.L. Kornegay, Jr. Dr. E.L. Kornegay, Jr. is the Dean of Continuing Education and Professional Development at the Joseph Business School located in Forest Park, IL. As the Dean of CEPD at the JBS, Dr. Kornegay has oversight for enrolment growth and management of curricula for Adult Basic Education, Professional Development, and Technology programs. Dr. Kornegay received his B.A. in English from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, and Master of Sacred Theology from Chicago Theological Seminary. He also earned a certificate of completion in Graduate Theological Urban Studies from the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE) and Ministerial Training Diploma from Living Word School of Ministry (June 2014). Dr. Kornegay has over 18 years of experience teaching and lecturing at colleges and universities.