I was born and raised and lived continuously in Syracuse and the Syracuse area. I attended the Wharton School at UPenn and Syracuse College of Law. I am married and have two children. I taught full time as the inaugural Whitman Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice between 2003 and 2008.. I have founded 9 businesses.

I was the creator and first Director and course developer and teacher for the Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Learning Community (CIE) at Syracuse University