Contributors


Karen Utgoff, Karen Lauter Utgoff Consulting

As Principal of Karen Lauter Utgoff Consulting, which she founded in 1991, Karen works with a variety organizations on issues concerning entrepreneurial/start-up marketing and sales; strategic marketing; market-oriented business strategy; and business planning. Her clients include emerging technology-based businesses, established businesses, and non-profit research-driven organizations. In addition to her consulting practice, Karen teaches Technology Management: Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UMass Amherst. She earned her AB from Oberlin College and her MBA from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania. While an MBA student she was trained as a consultant at the Wharton Applied Research Center, then a program of The Wharton School.

Karen has long been active in efforts to expand and strengthen entrepreneurship, new venture development and industry clusters in western Massachusetts.  Currently, she is a member of the Executive Committee of the Advisory Board for the Springfield Business Incubator at Springfield Technical Community College’s Scibelli Enterprise Center. For more information, please visit Karen Lauter Utgoff Consulting.

Mark G. Auerbach, Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations

Mark is principal of a firm that has provided strategic planning and hands-on campaign management for a variety of marketing, advertising, public relations, special events and development projects since 1987.

Mark’s clients have included broadcast media programs and outlets, performing arts organizations, travel organizations and programs, and educational institutions. Some of his best known clients have been: New England Public Radio (WFCR), The David Pakman Show, The Mike Thornton Agency (The Capitol Steps) and the Jazz Ensembles at Mount Holyoke College.

Mark learned his craft on-the-job in a progressive series of positions at nationally known cultural organizations such as Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC); Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet; Connecticut Ballet; Springfield (MA) Symphony Orchestra; and StageWest (MA). He also worked as a journalist with print publications including: Symphony News, The Jewish Weekly News, The Optimist; and broadcasting outlets WSPR-AM, WNNZ-AM, and American Talk Radio Countdown.

A native of Longmeadow, MA, Mark studied at Northfield Mount Hermon School, American University, and the Yale School of Drama. You can find more information about Mark at Facebook and LinkedIn.

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