Mentor Network Booking
Take the next step in the KEC Mentor Network and book a time with a mentor.
A reminder of our Mentor Network Rules:
- You should have received a few mentor recommendations from the KEC Team after submitting your interest form. That is a suggested starting point, but you are welcome to schedule time with any of the mentors on our list that fits your stage of business.
- Please be respectful of our mentors’ times, and only book appointments you are able to commit to. Please keep in mind, our mentors are donating their time to meet with you. If we notice multiple last-minute cancellations, we will revoke your mentorship scheduling abilities.
- Our mentors are here to bounce ideas off of, to suggest resources, and give feedback. They are not your personal business coach. You are responsible for your own success, and our mentors can be a resource in your toolbox.
- The KEC Team will reach out to you on a periodic basis to check in and request feedback. Your responses are crucial for the success of the mentoring program.
Thank you for participating in the KEC Mentor Network!
KEC Team
Delaney is the Programming Director at KEC, and has been part of the organization since graduating from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2018. Delaney can help best with folks that are looking to get involved in some way with KEC and the entrepreneur ecosystem in Knoxville. Her favorite small businesses in town include Fable Hollow Bookstore, Union Ave Book Store, and Fountain City Stained Glass. She is a maker and avid reader.
SCHEDULE WITH DELANEY
Chris McAdoo is the Chief Experience Officer at Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, where he focuses on fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in their journeys. With a passion for creativity, Chris is also a talented painter, blending his artistic vision with his work in business and community development. His dual expertise in art and entrepreneurship allows him to bring a unique perspective to helping businesses thrive, while contributing to the local arts scene.
In addition to his leadership role, Chris has a strong background in entrepreneurship. His experience navigating startups and scaling ventures provides him with valuable insights that he now shares with aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them build sustainable and impactful companies.
SCHEDULE WITH CHRIS
Kelsi Walker serves as the Director of Communications at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, where she is instrumental in crafting and conveying the organization’s message to the entrepreneurial community and beyond. With a flair for strategic communication and a deep understanding of brand storytelling, Kelsi ensures that the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center’s initiatives and successes are effectively communicated through various channels.
In addition to her professional role, Kelsi is a talented singer-songwriter. Her creative pursuits enrich her approach to communications, allowing her to blend creativity with strategic messaging. Her background in music provides a unique perspective on storytelling and audience engagement, which she applies to her work in shaping the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center’s narrative.
Kelsi’s dual expertise in communications and music reflects her versatile skill set and passion for connecting with people. Her contributions continue to enhance the Center’s visibility and impact, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Knoxville.
SCHEDULE WITH KELSI
Meet Our Mentors
Halee Sprinkle
Marketing | Social Media | Public Speaking & Pitching | Community Building
Halee would love to meet with Novices, Early Stage, and Growth Stage businesses.
SCHEDULE WITH HALEE
Cliff Caudill
General Mentor | Intro to Business Model | Business Development & Sales
Cliff would love to meet with Novices, Early Stage, and Growth Stage businesses.
In my 39 year career with John Deere I lead Product Planning for John Deere’s global forestry harvesting equipment business, including the acquisition of its primary competitor based in Finland. John Deere continues to lead this global market. Since retiring in 2016 I joined SCORE, an all-volunteer group of Mentors that assists clients develop their ideas into business & strategic plans including financial projections (start-up costs, income statements, cash flow and balance sheet) needed to obtain financing. I also work with existing businesses to improve their marketing, sales and financial results. I assist clients in the formation of Non-Profit entities. In my eight years with SCORE I have assisted over 550 people with their businesses or ideas.
SCHEDULE WITH CLIFF
Marcus Blair
General Mentor | Public Speaking & Pitching | E-Commerce | Executive Level Coaching | Manufacturing | Business Systems
Marcus would love to meet with Novices, Early Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
Marcus Blair is the founder of Omega Business Solutions. Omega works with organizations to help them choose and implement the right technology to meet their goals. He started his career as a 3rd shift production line associate and worked his way up to executive leadership where he successfully led digital transformation efforts for several international manufacturers. He has worked with clients around the world, but his real passion is working with start-ups right here in Knoxville.
SCHEDULE WITH MARCUS
Corey Tyree
General Mentor | Marketing | Business Development & Sales | Public Speaking & Pitching | Intro to Business Model | Executive Level Coaching | Manufacturing
Corey would love to meet with Novices, Early Stage, Growth Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
Corey Tyree is the founder and CEO of Trillium Renewable Chemicals, where he leads fundraising, hiring, and strategy. Trillium is building a chemical plant in Texas to produce chemicals that will decarbonize toys, aerospace parts, automotive parts, sporting goods, renewable energy, and apparel. He has raised $42M to support Trillium’s scaleup efforts, built an experienced team, and secured partnerships with large industrial customers. He started his career as a chemical plant operator and went on to serve in various roles in engineering, plant management, and executive leadership.
SCHEDULE WITH COREY
Jasmine Newton
General Mentor | Marketing | Social Media | Business Development & Sales | Intro to Business Model | Community Building
Jasmine would love to meet with Novices and Early Stage Business Owners.
Jasmine Newton is a portrait photographer, speaker, mentor, and community leader. Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Jasmine always had a passion for photography, but initially pursued a career in customer service doing various roles. However, in June 2015, she decided to follow her true passion full-time and launched Javon Renee Portraits in Knoxville, TN. As a portrait photographer, Jasmine is dedicated to helping her clients discover their worth and bring out their unique personalities and confidence. She excels at capturing the essence of her subjects, creating portraits that are both timeless and authentic. In June 2024, Jasmine expanded her impact by launching TheJasmineNewton.com. Through this platform, she shares her journey and insights on creating a life of balance, boundaries, and authenticity. TheJasmineNewton.com offers practical advice on work-life balance, effective boundary setting, and embracing authenticity, making it a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and individuals seeking personal and professional growth. Jasmine is deeply committed to her community and to giving back. She serves as the Knoxville Chapter Leader and Chapter Leadership Coach for the Rising Tide Society, an international community of small business entrepreneurs who believe in the power of community over competition. She also served two terms on the Mayor’s Maker Council and chaired the 2022 & 2023 Maker City Summit, an annual conference that brings together makers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to share ideas, collaborate, and grow. Additionally, Jasmine serves on the Pellissippi State Photography Advisory Board and the board for The Women of Knoxville, an organization dedicated to empowering and supporting small businesses with the financial resources they need to excel. She is also a proud Goldman Sachs OMBW: Black in Business alumna. With her talent, passion, and dedication, Jasmine Newton is a highly respected entrepreneur, mentor, and a valuable member of her community. She continues to inspire and uplift those around her, helping others to discover their own worth and potential.
SCHEDULE WITH JASMINE
Ed McFawn
General Mentor | Business Development & Sales | Accounting | Executive Level Coaching | Business Systems
Ed would love to meet with Early Stage, Growth Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
Ed started his career as a Consultant at KPMG implementing accounting and ERP systems. Later, he transitioned to Honeywell where he held various financial and operational leadership roles. After spending time at large businesses, Mr. MacFawn became a CFO to a few VC-backed technology companies where he raised many millions in venture capital and led several acquisitions, mergers and divestitures. In 2013, Ed leveraged that experience by co-founding a boutique investment banking firm focused on business transactions and fundraising for growth-stage companies. Since 2005 Ed has been the CEO and owner of BIT Dealership Software, a developer and marketer of business management software for marine, RV, golf cart, and powersports dealers. Over the years, Ed has lived and worked in Kuwait and Russia, and currently own a business in Macedonia. Ed’s educational background includes an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and a BS in Business Administration from Boston University.
SCHEDULE WITH ED
Brandon Bruce
General Mentor | Pitching | Business Development & Sales | Executive Level Coaching | Business Systems | Community Building
Brandon would love to meet with Early Stage, Growth Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
Founder of Cirrus Insight, Market Square Ventures, Knoxville Technology Council, Uncat, EvasiveAI. Past Managing Director of Techstars Industries of the Future Accelerator. Cyclist, runner, hiker.
SCHEDULE WITH BRANDON
Breanna Hale
General Mentor | Marketing | Social Media | Public Speaking & Pitching | Intro to Business Model | Community Building
Breanna would love to meet with Novices and Early Stage Business Owners.
Breanna Hale is the Executive Director for the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and has spent a decade in running entrepreneurial centers for major academic institutions including University of California, Irvine, and Utah Valley University. She brings vast experience in developing entrepreneurship programming, building a network of mentors and resources for students and alumni, and increasing access to funding. She has served on the boards of Tech Coast Venture Network, WeAngels, and the Mountainland Association of Governments Revolving Loan Fund. She received a B.A. in communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine.
SCHEDULE WITH BREANNA
Mel Mullins
Business Development & Sales | E-Commerce | Manufacturing | Community Building
Mel would love to meet with Growth Stage Business Owners.
Mel started making soap in her kitchen in 2019 after her kids went to bed. Without any business experience but with the support of amazing entrepreneurs and mentors in Knoxville, she has grown the business into a successful company in the last 5 years. The business (formally Knox Girl Soap, now All Ya’ll Skincare) has a successful online business as well as retail sales and wholesale accounts. All products are made in their East Knoxville production studio at Real Good Kitchen, and they have added two employees to support manufacturing and sales. Mel is passionate about inclusivity and has a goal to be the first nationwide gender inclusive soap and skincare company. She believes the most important elements of business ownership is being values driven, transparent and adding joy to each day.
SCHEDULE WITH MEL
Munan Singhal
General Mentor | Executive Level Coaching | Business Systems | Intro to Business Model
Munan would love to meet with Early Stage, Growth Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
Munan is passionate about supporting local entrepreneurs scaling their business. He has a unique background with experience across P&L, strategy, engineering and operations in the technology, industrials and aerospace & defense industries. Munan is currently a Strategy Director at Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group in an incubation business (Edge and AI) where he is responsible for strategic alliances and partnerships and is also a chief of staff to the Vice President / General Manager. Previously, Munan was an engagement manager in management consulting at Gartner and has a vast variety of industrial operations experience including as an operational consultant for Lockheed Martin. Munan earned an internationally focused MBA from University of South Carolina, specializing in Finance & Data Analytics and a Bachelors of Science in Systems and Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
SCHEDULE WITH MUNAN
Rob Cochran
General Mentor | Business Development & Sales | Intro to Business Model | Accounting | E-Commerce | Executive Level Coaching | Business Systems
Rob would love to meet with Early Stage, Growth Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
Rob Cochran is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of success in the service, retail, wholesale, and ecommerce sectors of the RV industry. As the founder of Camping Connection, he led the company to prominence, culminating in its acquisition by a Fortune 1000 company. Building on this success, he expanded with Cody Talbert Distribution and One Source RV before transitioning to real estate investment and business consulting. Rob now mentors business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs, leveraging his expertise in business strategy, service operations, sales, and negotiation. Additionally, he brings experience with QuickBooks, Shopify, the EOS business model, and emotional intelligence leadership training. Rob has also served as president and chairman of the board for the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA).
SCHEDULE WITH ROB
Frank Ramey
General Mentor | Supply Chain & Logistics | E-Commerce
Frank would love to meet with Early Stage and Growth Stage Businesses.
Focused on e-commerce (12+ years experience) and systems, I enjoy providing insights on getting things done as lean as possible.
SCHEDULE WITH FRANK
Ashleigh Walters
General Mentor | Accounting | Executive Level Coaching | Manufacturing
Ashleigh would love to meet with Executive Level Founders.
Ashleigh Walters, formerly the President of Onex, now serves as the Chairwoman of its Board of Directors. Onex, an employee-owned enterprise with a legacy spanning over five decades in Erie, Pennsylvania, specializes in designing, manufacturing, and servicing high-temperature industrial furnaces. Upon assuming the role of General Manager in 2013, Ashleigh witnessed a divergence from Onex’s mission and its core values centered around its people. Through her leadership, Onex has redefined its purpose: “Make things better: empowered employees, happy clients, thriving communities.” Walters is also the author of “Leading with Grit and Grace: A Journey of Organizational Culture Change.” Today, she actively shares her transformative journey with fellow leaders through various platforms, including speaking engagements, University of Tennessee manufacturing executive peer group facilitation, and as an IndustryWeek columnist. Additionally, she serves on several employee-owned company boards, advocating for process improvements and the cultivation of a people-centric organizational culture.
SCHEDULE WITH ASHLEIGH
Chris Trump
Legal | Public Speaking & Pitching | Community Building
Chris would love to meet with Novices, Early Stage, Growth Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
Chris Trump, a graduate from the University of Tennessee College of Law, specializes in providing outside general counsel services to businesses of all sizes throughout East Tennessee. An active participant in the area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Chris is particularly passionate about representing start-ups and early stage companies, guiding them through the complexities of formation, financing, growth and exit. In addition, Chris has overseen all merger and acquisition transactions for one of the largest private companies in the State of Tennessee, has represented area banks and borrowers in both commercial and real estate financing transactions, and has assisted economic development boards in various tax abatement and public financing transactions. In his free time, you can find Chris watching the Vols, cheering on the Cubs and enjoying East Tennessee’s urban wilderness with his family.
SCHEDULE WITH CHRIS
Alex Gambino
General Mentor | Legal | Executive Level Coaching | Intellectual Property
Alex would love to meet with Early Stage, Growth Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
Alex Gambino is a Registered Patent and Intellectual Property Attorney at Thrive IP®. Alex has successfully applied for and secured numerous patents, trademark registrations, and copyright registrations for his clients. He also has experience in various facets of intellectual property litigation, contract drafting and review, entity formation and governance, and regulatory guidance. Alex earned his Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee College of Law and received an undergraduate degree in Marine Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Previously, Alex worked as a Technology Commercialization Analyst for the University of Tennessee Research Foundation where he reviewed technologies from the University of Tennessee system, performed patentability and prior art searches, evaluated marketing channels, and made recommendations for the commercialization and licensing of those technologies. Prior to attending law school, Alex worked as a Nuclear Power Operations Engineer for Holtec International. Alex has a passion for assisting inventors, businesses, and universities in obtaining and defending their intellectual property protections. Alex provides a host of additional services including contract and business document drafting, negotiations, support for start-ups in developing and deploying monetization and exit strategies, entity formation and corporate governance, regulatory guidance, and intellectual property licensing.
SCHEDULE WITH ALEX
Bill Malkes
General Mentor | Legal | Executive Level Coaching | Intellectual Property
Bill would love to meet with Early Stage, Growth Stage Businesses, and Executive Level Founders.
William A. Malkes Sr. is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with a diverse career spanning multiple industries. As CEO of GRIDSMART Technologies, he led a $94 million acquisition by Cubic Corporation. Malkes has raised over $150 million in risk capital and overseen several successful company exits. A Summa Cum Laude graduate from the University of Detroit-Mercy, Malkes began as a CPA at KPMG Peat Marwick and has completed programs at Harvard University and Vanderbilt Owen School of Management. Currently CEO of NellOne Therapeutics, Inc., Malkes serves on various boards and is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Spark Innovation Center. As a TechStars Mentor and through his executive roles, he has created over 1,000 fair-paying jobs, particularly in non-traditional venture capital regions. Malkes prioritizes his Christian faith and family above his professional achievements.
SCHEDULE WITH BILL:
Virtual Calls: 15 Minutes | 30 Minutes
In-Person Meeting: 50 Minutes
