When and why did I become a SCORE counselor? I joined SCORE in early 2009 after retiring from 40+ years working in the international freight transportation and logistics industry for major corporations. I had always wanted to do some type of volunteer work that allowed me to share the knowledge and experiences I had acquired with others who might benefit from them.

Business Background: I spent my entire working career in management, starting out as an engineering officer aboard merchant vessels and progressing through a variety of shoreside positions in Hawaii and California. Along the way, I’ve been responsible for managing terminal operations, negotiating union contracts, developing budgets, contracting with major railroads, pricing transportation services, implementing new customer-focused teams, leading a global account sales effort, and managing various B2B marketing teams in the U.S. These varied responsibilities have provided me with a broad perspective of what it takes for businesses to be successful (as well as what can lead to failures). I’m a strong believer in the power of talented individuals to succeed if they have a clear set of goals and objectives, a well thought out plan, and the necessary measures in place to track their performance.

Educational Background: BS in Engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY; MBA from the University of California at Berkeley; Additional studies at Harvard, Stanford, the University of Hawaii, and UCLA.

Current Activities: Besides my volunteer work with SCORE and other local organizations, I have a part-time consulting firm that specializes in transportation-related projects for the public and private sector. I also have a strong interest in world affairs, politics and college sports (Go Bears!).

When And why did you become a SCORE Counselor? I have been a SCORE Counselor since my retirement in 2007. I joined SCORE because I had seen first hand the work that SCORE counselors had done with members of various Chambers of Commerce and banking clients. It seemed to be a great way to keep my business skills and banking knowledge skills sharp and also have the pleasure of helping others.

Business Background: I started in commercial banking upon graduation from college with Bank of America. After 23 years with B of A working with small privately owned businesses, I left to start up an independent bank in the Eastbay called CivicBank of Commerce. I continued working with small and medium size businesses to provide bank financing and work with them on strategic plans. I managed the main office in San Francisco for Sanwa Bank which was bought by Bank of the West. I retired from Bank of the West as SVP Manager of the San Francisco Commercial Banking Office.

Educational Background: University of California, Berkeley, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, Southern Methodist University, Dallas Texas; graduate degree in Banking.

Self –description: I am a good listener and have over 40 years of experience working with small and medium size businesses. I enjoy helping people and have served in various volunteer organizations. I enjoy golf, family, and grandchildren

Why did you become a Score counselor: Because of my experience as a multiple patent holder and in the US Patent and Trademark Office, I thought I could be of use to entrepreneurs who want to apply for patents or trademarks.

Business Background: In 35 years as a Research Chemist with Olin Corporation, I developed many contacts worldwide. Later, I managed the Connecticut office of the US Patent and Trademark Office. I am a member of the American Chemical Society and past President of the Yale-New haven Chapter. I hold 41 US and foreign Patents and have been published in 20 or 30 publications. I have been an expert witness in consumer product usage litigation

Educational Background: Raised in New Orleans, LA, I was in the US Navy in WW II and later earned a PhD in Chemistry

When and why did you become a Score counselor? I became a Score counselor in early 2009 as I enjoy helping smaller companies and entrepreneurs.

Business Background: I founded and co-founded a number of high tech startups. I have served in capacity of CEO, CTO, and VP of Marketing & Business Development. I have also been in senior leadership roles in the areas of management, technology, and marketing for well-known, multinational, high tech companies.

Educational Background: I hold a Bachelors and a Masters degrees from the University of Massachusetts and have done PhD research there.

Self description: I enjoy seeing a product or business concept shaping up to be a viable business and marketing model.

When and why did you become a Score Counselor? I’ve been a SCORE counselor since July 2009. I joined SCORE because I was looking for way to help others in my community grow and prosper by leveraging my business skills. SCORE provides me personal growth, lifelong learning and a chance to give back. I believe successful communities depend upon successful small businesses.

Business Background: I find the scope, complexity and dynamics of retail merchandise and inventory planning ever changing and challenging. I have over 20+ years of a rich and varied experience working with retailers of all sizes - start-up’s to large corporations and in every channel - stores, catalog and internet. My experience includes interaction with all levels of management and a variety of roles and responsibilities. I have directed, developed and managed teams with responsibility for: budgeting, forecasting, inventory turns, margin, demand conversation rates, customer service metrics, Open to Buy and profitability. Past employers include: Williams-Sonoma, Design Toscano, Past Times, Coldwater Creek, Celebration Fantastic, Gump’s, I. Magnin and Joseph Magnin.

Educational Background: University of Colorado - Boulder, Bachelors and Masters degrees

Self Description: I enjoy good food, good wine, good music, good company and a good mystery!!

When and why did you become a score counselor? I joined Score in 2009, several years after early retirement from working on Wall Street. I have found the experience stimulating, fun and educational. The programs, workshops, resources, depth and breath of counselor expertise are a great asset to any aspiring or existing small business owners.

Business Background: I started out working in manufacturing which lead me into commercial real estate development during the ‘80’s building boom. I learned all about telecommunications and call centers which I leveraged in helping Charles Schwab expand its trading and operations across the USA. I became a licensed securities trader and moved into consulting where I lead teams developing mission critical systems and business processes for Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, GT Global as well as numerous other fortune 500 firms. My professional expertise extends from manufacturing and real estate development to online trading systems, operations, eCommerce, execution excellence and wealth management.

Educational Background: BA, Biology, Lone Mt. College; MBA, St Mary’s; PMP, Project Mgt. Institute; FINRA series 7 & 63 and currently I have applied for my CEC (Certified eCommerce Consultant) credential.

Self description: Deep involvement in stock trading, bonds, private equity, and yield opportunities coupled with the evolving social networking, eCommerce and technology trends. I’m an avid cyclist, kitesurfer, skier, gym regular and pistol shooter most of which I enjoy with my wife and adult son

Why did I join SCORE?---I see SCORE as an opportunity to share my business background with others and help give them the opportunity to expand their personal development.

My work experience---40 years of retail merchandise management at all levels as buyer and divisional merchandise manager with J.L. Hudson Co. V.P.- divisional merchandise manager, jewelry, women's accessories, cosmetics and fragrances at Mervyn's Department Stores (division Dayton-Hudson /Target Corp.). Division V.P.- general merchandise manager, Kmart Corp. Consultant to several national retail companies and major fine jewelry manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Educational background---BA, economics and mathematics, Olivet College. MBA St. Mary's College. Graduate Gemologist, Gemological Institute of America.

Self description---Enjoy hiking to out of the way places to experience and understand cultural differences

When and why did you become a SCORE Counselor: I started with SCORE in Atlanta, Georgia, in late 2007, and joined the East Bay chapter in January 2008. I knew that, after I completed my corporate career, I wanted to find an avenue to give back to a society that has given me countless opportunities. I found that avenue in SCORE^®.

Business (and other) Background: I was born in Havana, Cuba, more years ago than I care to remember. I came to the United States in my teens, attended the University of Florida, and went off to make my mark in the world. That pursuit led me to work in the aviation, engineering/construction and chemical process industries. At the time of my retirement from the corporate world, I was the CEO of a large international distribution company. I have started and operated small businesses, in food service and consulting. In addition to Cuba and several states within the U.S., I have lived in Belgium, Mexico and Canada for extended periods of time. I have traveled extensively in Europe, South America and the Far East. I am fluent in English and Spanish, and I manage to make myself misunderstood in Flemish and Italian.

Educational Background: B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Master of Engineering, both from the University of Florida; Diploma in Management from INSEAD (France).

Self-Description: Insatiable curiosity is my undoing (one of many). I like to understand why things are the way they are, and how they can be better. I like to discover and share knowledge. I like to travel and learn. I like to design and build. I love people.

Why did I join SCORE? With a broad background in business, it gave me a vehicle to give back to the community and help others

My Work Experience: In Retail, I leased small electrics and personal care items in department stores for 15 years. I began with one store and finished with seventeen. It was a very successful operation, and an opportunity to learn advertising, purchasing, and marketing in a highly competitive field. In Distribution I distributed specialized retail products to big box stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart etc. We specialized in "just in time" replenishment, high volume, direct to store shipments. We shipped approx. 20,000 packages per month. I sold this business to a public company.

Education and Professional Qualifications: San Jose State University, B.S. Business Administration

Who am I? I enjoy golf, travel and great food, and visit grandchildren in Connecticut and TexasI I intend to enjoy life

Why did I join SCORE? I have broad work experience and now that I am retired, my goal is to share my experiences and give back to the community. I learned about SCORE before I retired and sought them out soon thereafter.

My Work Experience I served four years in the U.S. Air Force as an electronics technician, installing and servicing Long Range Search around the world. My professional career spanned 36 years with the General Electric Company holding a number of business management positions servicing Nuclear Power plants on a worldwide basis. I have been involved with most GE built nuclear power plants in the US, Japan, Taiwan and Spain. I entered GE via the Manufacturing Management Program, consisting of six assignments in three industries including: Nuclear Defense at Hanford Washington; Defense Electronics in Syracuse, New York; and Commercial Lighting in Cleveland, Ohio. At GE Nuclear Energy, I worked initially applying QA methods for Non-Destructive Testing of experimental Nuclear Fuel. After receiving an MBA, I became one of founding members of the GE’s Nuclear Power Plant Services business holding a number of business management positions servicing Nuclear Power plants on a worldwide basis. I was successful in developing new service businesses and in mentoring field service technicians, field engineers, project managers, and service vendors. I spent the last decade of my GE career as a business development leader working in the International Nuclear Servicing business specializing in Japan, Taiwan and Spain. In that role, I led project teams in applications development of remote/underwater machining, welding and inspections for modification of highly radioactive nuclear reactor internal core components. I developed new business opportunities by partnering with local national service vendors, organized multi-national shared funding of joint R&D programs, and technology licensing

Education and Professional Qualifications California Polytechnic State University (BS Industrial Engineering, 1964); Santa Clara University (MBA, 1971); Licensed Professional Engineer - Quality- State of California; GE - Six Sigma Green-Belt qualified.

Currently Since retirement, I have been active in volunteerism. I served three years on the Board of Directors as Treasurer and as president of the Blue Lake Springs Homeowners’ Association in Arnold CA, a 2000 household association with a million dollar/year budget. I am a qualified AARP “Tax Aide” counselor for tax preparation assistance to low-income senior citizens.

Who am I? Lucy, my wife of forty years and I split our time in Pleasanton and in our mountain community of Arnold. I enjoy world affairs, adventure travel, photography, some golf, church community events and outdoors recreation. We also spend time visiting our four children and three grandchildren scattered about.

Why did I join SCORE? I joined SCORE in May of 2003 to give service. A small business begins with a creative idea and passion and requires energy, a good plan, support and hard work to make it successful. The devil is in the details but doing the details without a vision/plan seldom works. Yes - ego, luck and support are necessary. The client has the answers; the counselor’s job is to ask the right questions.

What’s my experience? I worked as an engineer and project manager in energy research most of my career. Along the way I had the pleasure of serving on an International team in Germany and Japan. I retired the summer of 2000 to help form a Silicon Valley startup to develop an all-optical switch for the telecommunications industry. I served as President and led the recovery (human and business) to rebuild 40 town homes lost in the 1991 Oakland Fire. Defining the problem, arraying the necessary tools and resources and solving the problem is the scientific method and works for starting a business and writing a business plan.

What’s my education and training? BS and MS in Electrical Engineering, management courses and various workshops and retreats.

Who am I? I’m an engineer, project manager, father, grandfather, sailor, woodworker, friend, volunteer, teacher, counselor, coach and seeker. The mind, body, heart and spirit collectively define who we are. Giving service is a way to achieve happiness.

When and why did you become a SCORE counselor? As part of my previous experience, I assisted more than 50 people in getting SBA loans and starting small businesses. I have also owned and operated six Sub S Corp businesses in three states. I enjoyed helping others get into business and continue to do so through SCORE. I joined SCORE in 2004 and counsel in Oakland as well as doing online counseling.

Business Background: After working for a Civil Engineer in the Bay Area for two years, I worked in the International Division of two large construction companies for 18 years spending about 10 years in Europe in the management of some very large and well regarded projects. I started a construction company in Louisiana building large homes and small commercial projects. This company was very successful until the Gulf Coast economy collapsed in the mid-eighties and I closed it. I then started and was the franchisor of an auto service franchise business which grew to over $30 million a year. I also had companies that owned and operated individual auto centers. Between 2001 and 2003, I sold all the businesses and retired.

Educational Background: Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV; Bachelor of Foreign Trade, Thunderbird Graduate School of International Business, Glendale, AZ

Business related extracurricular activities: Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois and Louisiana, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Association of Home Builders, International Franchise Association

Other interests: Seven grandchildren, golf, travel, skiing, walking and trying to stay in shape at the dreaded gym.

Business Background: Over thirty-eight years in financial management with a private investment management company and a major financial institution in San Francisco. His work experience included three years of foreign services with US Department of State mission in Vietnam and as financial analyst with Asian Development Bank headquarters in the Republic of Philippines. Other responsibilities included managing an overseas office in Asia. He has traveled extensively throughout Asian countries and the sub-continental countries.

When and Why did you become a SCORE Counselor? I joined SCORE in October 1996 because I was desperate to talk to business people about business. We lived in the resort community of Hilton Head Island and most conversations were about golf and tennis. Seeking more substantive discussions, I sought out SCORE counselors to talk about the current business climate and found I had made the best decision of my “retired life.” I love helping our clients.

Business Background: Early in my career I was a member of the Professional Staff of the Hudson Institute working on projects trying to predict the future and a participant in the Institute’s work in Less Developed countries. For the last 15 years of my career, I was an Investment Manager of Time Warner’s Venture Capital Group and Vice President of Development of a Market Research Division.

Educational Background: BA, Political Science, Queens College, Graduate Studies, Eastern European and Russian area studies, Georgetown University, Graduate Studies, MBA Program, New York University.

Self Portrait: I like adventure travel and have been to Africa on Safari, India to view tigers several times and have a trip to Uganda planned to look for mountain gorillas. When at home, other than SCORE, I race walk, cruise in our boat, read non-fiction and spend as much time as possible with my grandchildren.

Hank Weiner

When and Why did you become a Score Counselor?: I started a gradual retirement in the late 1990's and my wife got tired of having me around the house. She spotted an advertisement in a local newspaper for a SCORE workshop on Importing and Exporting, and called it to my attention as something I might contribute to. Since this was my life career, joining SCORE and counseling clients on international trade was a natural thing to do. It also solved my wife's problem getting me out of the house. Through both the counseling and workshops I can continue my interests as well as keep up with developments in this field. As an added bonus, my 10 years of experience in building and managing a number of restaurants was put to good use in counseling restaurant clients and giving workshops on opening and operating restaurants.

Business Background: I was employed by a major American trading company in various management positions throughout Europe and the Far East, becoming Vice-President for Asia. After 20 years, I left that company to form my own trading company with local partners in Taiwan. I returned to the United States after 25 years abroad to open a San Francisco office for this company and also to assist a Taiwan restaurant group to establish themselves here. At the same time I completed my stock broker's qualification exam and was a part time broker primarily engaged in investments for Taiwanese clients.

Educational Background: BS in Business Administration from U. C. Berkeley. Completion of the Executive Program, Stanford Business School.

Business related extracurricular activities: President of the American Chamber of Commerce, Taipei; President of the American Club, Taiwan; Board Member, American Chamber of Commerce Philippines. Testified before the U.S. Senate and House Joint Economic Committee on US and international trade matters.

Other interests: Six grandchildren, including one just starting Stanford, are probably my main interest but I continue to spend too much time in the gym trying to ward off old age. Skiing and golf will continue until that doesn't work anymore.

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Frost Prioleau

When and Why did you become a Score Counselor? In 1993, when we sold our business, I was looking for a way to stay involved in the business community and help others if I could on a part-time basis. Score provided a wonderful opportunity to do this under the umbrella of the SBA and meet and help many persons who were starting or improving businesses.

Business Background: For 10 years, I was in Marketing with what is now ExxonMobil in the Philippines and Malaysia. After a year of domestic training, I had interesting assignments working with gasoline retailers and industrial accounts in several Philippine cities and ended as Marketing Director of ESSO Malaysia. For the next 35 years, I worked with my brothers-in-law building a steel investment foundry company, handling all business functions except manufacturing and marketing as the Chief Financial Officer. We sold our two plants in 1988 and stayed on for 5 more years to run the larger operation of 10 plants nationally.

Educational Background: Princeton University (BSE - Engineering), Harvard University (MBA)

Self-Description: I enjoy keeping current in business and world affairs, and helping people achieve business goals. Other activities include keeping up with family, building and maintaining this website, writing family history books, traveling to interesting places, and exercising as much as possible by walking, rowing, golf and skiing.

Karl Haug

When and Why did you become a Score Counselor? I joined SCORE in 1996 after a successful career in the Medical Equipment Industry. I came to this country in 1963 as an immigrant, starting out in New York City with $200 in my pocket. This country offered great opportunities and I feel that the work we do in SCORE is an ideal way to "give back". I have been a counselor for over 10 years, helping clients in face-to-face as well as web-based counseling, and find the experience most rewarding.

Business Background: CFO of a full scope Medical Equipment Business Unit of a large multinational company. Prior work experience included an import operation in the US and an export operation of a large manufacturer in Germany.

Educational Background: Education and Business Schooling/Training in Germany.

Self-description: I have always had an interest in learning more about different cultures in other parts of the world and widening my horizons. Before coming to the US I spent some time in Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, France and Great Britain, practicing my French and English language skills along the way. My wife and I enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing, and listening to classical music.

Larry Tessler

When and why did you become a SCORE Counselor: I became a counselor in 1999 ten years after early retirement from the corporate world of retailing and five years after selling my own small business startup. Reluctantly, I allowed a longtime friend and counselor to gently push me into the role. How fortunate for me - as I quickly discovered just how personally satisfying it was to share my business knowledge with others and to participate in some small manner in their success. Interestingly enough I’ve found myself spending as much time learning and growing in order to remain relevant in today’s ever-evolving business world.

Business Background: Nearly 20 years with a local department store chain serving ultimately as a senior executive in the merchandising, stores, and advertising/sales promotion sections. 8 years with a national chain of promotional department stores with similar responsibilities. 2 years with a local chain of video rental and music sales stores expanding their presence and reorganizing their buying processes. 5 years starting and managing my own small business.

Educational Background: B.S. in Business Administration, University of California, Berkeley. Graduate studies in Marketing, San Francisco State.

Self-Description: My wife and I like to travel the world. I enjoy reading, mostly fiction, taking continuing education classes, serving in my homeowners’ association, plus occasional other volunteer tasks. I’m the cook. I like to walk my dogs. I don’t like working out… but I do it anyway.

Margot Dishner

When and why did you become a Score Counselor?: I’ve been a SCORE counselor since September 2000. I joined SCORE because I really enjoy business and particularly liked bringing junior people along when I was in the corporate world and seeing them succeed in their careers. SCORE seemed like a great way to keep my own skills sharp and also have the pleasure of helping others.

Business Background: I fell in love with advertising when I was in high school and worked in the advertising department of The Progressive Farmer magazine in my home town after school and in the summers. After an education in that field from Northwestern University, I got my dream job at a large advertising agency on Madison Avenue in New York. The firm moved offices and I then had the pleasure of riding the elevators in The Chrysler Building to my office every morning. I worked with General Mills, Procter and Gamble, Hanes Hosiery, Chase Manhattan Bank, Hunt-Wesson. Lots of fun. Great products, great clients. I couldn’t begin to pick my favorite, although I really did enjoy my time on Chase Manhattan, because I just took a cab, instead of an airplane, to see my clients!

Educational Background: Northwestern University, Bachelors and Masters degrees

Self Description: I enjoy dancing, hiking, skiing and I’m a bit of a political junkie

Bob Laiks

When and Why did you become a Score Counselor? In 2004, I referred a client to SCORE when his partners didn't want to pay for a consultant. I was invited and decided to join since it seemed like a good idea, might be interesting and is a learning experience.

Business Background: I spent many years selling large systems to run major phone networks, hardware/software/services/etc, for ATT Network Systems/Lucent. These were big ticket items with some very long sales cycles. I trail blazed some unique approaches, including virtual teams, and moved some Bell Labs R&D into the customer's operations. I took a management package shortly after the Lucent spin off. After that I was a founding team member for two high tech start ups (Ellipsys Technologies and Reversi Networks). There I had sales and business development responsibilities. I was involved in pitching venture capital firms and advising the board. Before and after the start ups, I did some private consulting.

Educational Background: BBA, Marketing, from Pace University (NY;NY); MBA, Marketing, from San Francisco State University

Self-description: I usually am optimistic and enjoy a creative environment at work. A sense of humor is important and valuing people is a requirement in business as well as personal life. These come in handy as a SCORE counselor. From a Myers-Briggs standpoint I'm an ENFP. I've practiced Aikido, a Japanese art, since 1974, and I've taught a class in Japantown (SF) for over 20 years. I also enjoy Yoga as a way to maintain enough flexibility to stay active.

Laszlo Bonnyay

-Why I became a SCORE counselor in 1996: I took early retirement to pass on my business experiences to people who would like to start a small business or need counseling and advice to run their existing one.

-Business Background: I started as a product engineer at Dorr-Oliver Inc in Stamford, Connecticut in 1967 and stayed with the same company for thirty years. I moved into sales in the Chicago office in 1972, was promoted to sales manager in 1978 of the Emeryville, California office covering the eleven western states. In 1982, I was promoted to Managing Director of our seven European companies and grew them from 35 to 120 million dollars in 10 years without increasing staff. In 1987, the six senior managers, including myself, did a leveraged buy-out from our parent – British Petroleum. After operating it for nine years, we sold the company in 1996 to a subsidiary of the Mannesmann Company in Germany. In 1996 I started a publishing company to publish photography books

-Education: BSME and MBA – Studied in Hungary, Germany and USA

-Self Portrait: I consider myself extremely lucky. I escaped from the communist dictatorship in Hungary in 1956 at the age of seventeen by myself without a penny. Lived and studied at first in Germany and later in the USA. Thanks to the help and support of countless people in Germany and particularly in the United States I have been given many opportunities, most of which I have taken advantage of and had the privilege of leading a very interesting and most exciting life.

Sylvia Cunningham

-Why I became a SCORE counselor in 2004: After 30 years in management, I wanted to share what I’d learned with others. I also wanted some impetus to keep up with and stay interested in business trends and ideas. Once in SCORE, the clients I meet, their stories, and the camaraderie of the other counselors make SCORE a very fulfilling part of your life.

-Business Background: Responsibilities included regional oversight for procurement, facilities management, budget and financial reporting, and human resources.

-Education: BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University. I’m a product of the public school system.

-Self Portrait: The girl next door.

Fred Badal

-Why I became a SCORE counselor in 2001: – To use my background and experience to help others.

-Business Background: – Engineering & Project Management, College Teaching, Business Broker, Real Estate Investor
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-Education. – BS, MS - San Jose State, Engineer – Stanford, MBA – Santa Clara

-Self Portrait: I have great satisfaction in reading, listening to classical music, and helping others through ROTARY (Theme: Service above Self), SCORE, teaching, and various support groups.

Dick Arney

Why I became a Score Counselor in 1997: To give back to the community and keep my mind active in the business field.

Business background: Retired as President of Consolidated Pacific Brands ( A company in the import food business that did food marketing projects for other companies).

Educational background: Graduated from Michigan State University and the Stanford University Executive Management Course.

Can you describe yourself?: ( you should probably ask my wife) Very driven to succeed, curious, motivated to learn new things. Enjoy helping others succeed in their endeavors.