Siena College has a history of creating new business opportunities going back many decades. Several of these retired or current entrepreneurs are volunteering their time as Entrepreneurship Mentors. We work together to help new startups and innovators inside Siena develop their idea into a sustainable business.
Several entrepreneurs have agreed to share their time and talent by providing mentorship and advising to student and alumni teams. Siena teams benefit by hearing directly from experienced entrepreneurs with their success stories and lessons learned from failures - directly from experienced entrepreneurs.
The current Entrepreneurship Mentors include very accomplished alumni.
Peter Dean
Siena College, 1992, BA in Psychology, Minor in Finance
CEO and Co-Founder of multiple startups, currently CEO of Rendertribe. Rendertribe designs profitable marketing strategies with insight analytics for SaaS, software and new technology companies with national and global market reach. They are located in Saratoga Springs and New York City. Mr. Dean is also an Adjunct Professor at RPI where he teaches Internet Marketing.
Mr. Dean's prior companies included commerce and service industries. He also held senior global business development and sales roles with FedEx and DHL where he helped develop and design innovative supply chain programs that helped achieve record new business numbers.
Contact Mr. Dean
Donald DeVito
Siena College, 1983, BS in Finance, Minor in Economics
Donald has more than three decades in the financial services industry, including specialized training in insurance and annuity planning, estate planning, money management, and retirement planning. He was awarded the Certified Financial Manager title from The Donald Reagan School of Advanced Financial Management.
Mr. DeVito served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army and the New York Army National Guard, most recently as Captain in the 10th Mountain Division. He is a Distinguished Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Intelligence School and Graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry School. He has served on numerous non-profit boards including Center for Economic Growth and Center for Disability Services. He has served as board member of Zyvex, a molecular biotechnology company. Donald has also been Mayor of his Village, Deputy Supervisor, and Councilman of the Town of Duanesburg.
Donald has also been the President and Co-Founder of multiple startups, and is currently the Chairman and CEO of Auxilia. A company that designs and develops integrated security solutions for the private sector.
Contact Mr. DeVito
Mike Tanski
Siena College, 2012, BS in Computer Science, Minor in Finance
CEO and Co-Founder of multiple startups, currently CTO of Dumbstruck. Dumbstruck is a web and mobile platform that allows users to gather reactions to their content at scale. The company's unique technology combines cutting-edge emotional analysis with social engagement to tell users how people feel about their content in real time. They are located in Schenectady and New York City. Mr. Tanski is also working on his doctorate in Informatics at The University at Albany.
Mr. Tanski’s prior companies included computer, database and software service industries. He is very active in giving back to student teams at Siena and available to take questions on a multitude of software issues.
Contact Mr. Tanski
Philip Stocchetti
Siena College, 1983, BA in Political Science
President and Co-Founder of multiple marketing companies; currently CEO of LeveragePoint Marketing and East Greenbush Chocolates. LeveragePoint Marketing offers marketing consulting and coaching services for small businesses. East Greenbush Chocolates operates a Schakolad Chocolate Factory franchise, which makes and sells premium chocolates. Both companies are located in East Greenbush, NY.
Mr. Stocchetti’s prior ventures included firms offering direct marketing services for providers of consumer products and medical devices. He is active in advising student teams at Siena and available to take questions on a multitude of marketing and business development issues.
Contact Mr. Stocchetti
Kishor Bagul
Gujarat University, 1992, BS, Electronics and Communications Engineering
President and Co-Founder of multiple technology companies, former CTO for the State of New York. He is currently Co-Founder of Clouds and Things and CIO of IoT Safety Equipment. . They are located in Clifton Park and New York City respectively. Mr. Bagul is focused on products serving smart cities, advising several governments and startups, and sharing his experience and expertise with Siena teams.
Mr. Bagul has hands-on experience designing complex systems and serves as an advisor or board member to startups for product development. He also participates on boards for not-for-profit organizations focused on early education and economic empowerment.
Contact Mr. Bagul
Michael Barranca
Siena College, 1987, BS in Mathematics
Vice President and Co-Founder of of Rowlands and Barranca Agency. Rowlands and Barranca provides employee benefits for companies in the Capital District. They are located in Albany. Mr. Barranca is advising the company during this period of rapid growth.
Mr. Barranca’s prior work included actuarial analysis for Empire BlueCross BlueShield, manager of the Group Underwriting Department, and Director of Finance and Actuarial Services of BlueShield of Northeastern New York.
Contact Mr. Barranca
Michael McKenna
Siena College, 1983, BS in Accounting, Minor in Finance
President and Co-Founder of McKenna & Franck, CPAs PC. McKenna & Franck provides tax and accounting services to small and medium businesses including audits, reviews and compilations. They are located in Albany. They also provide consulting services for valuations and transactions, cash flow management, strategic planning and MIS/IT infrastructure.
Mr. McKenna’s prior work included joining startups in the CFO role. His largest company was Triax Technologies, a video game controller company. They developed, produced and sold a touch-pad game controller for Nintendo and Sega video game systems using patented technology. They manufactured in China, distributed from the west coast and had product placement in all major retailers, including Wal-Mart’s floor plan. Mr. McKenna is also a past President of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Contact Mr. McKenna