The NWPA Innovation Beehive Network: helping Entrepreneurs, boosting Business

Kathy Roach has worked at ETI since 2019. She is a resource for clients in the technology incubator and is available to provide support on client projects. Kathy coordinates the monthly programming for our clients and works closely with hiring students for clients and companies. She has a bachelor’s in finance from Gannon University and has over 35 years experience working with businesses. Kathy holds an Entrepreneur Business Management certification from the International Business Innovation Association. 

Chris Lantinen is the PennWest Edinboro Beehive Director. His specialties include social media, podcasting, SEO, and more. He's also an instructor within the PennWest Edinboro Department for Communication, Journalism and Media. He was a "40 Under 40" selection in 2020 by the Erie Reader.

Andrew Miller, M.L.I.S is the Adult Services Manager at the Erie County Public Library where he has served the public for 12 years. He leads a team of nine librarians who do collection development, offer information services, care for historic collections, and help makers take the first steps to turn their ideas into reality. He was born and raised in Erie, PA, earned his B.A. in History with honors at Westminster College in 2008, and completed his master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009.  His research interests focus on Digital Humanities and increasing online access to local history and genealogy collections.

Abbey Lesniewski serves as the Director of the Innovation Entente Lab. She is currently a candidate for a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning from Gannon University. Her master’s degree is in Organizational Leadership from Mercyhurst University, and her bachelor’s degree is in Strategic Communication with a minor in Marketing from Clarion University. Prior to Mercyhurst, she was a Benefits and Work-Life Coordinator at the University at Buffalo. Abbey’s background is heavily concentrated in human resources and organizational development. 

At the Innovation Entente Lab, Abbey supervises students who conduct competitive business intelligence for small businesses and entrepreneurs within the 17 counties of the Appalachian Region. 

Jacob Marsh is the Industry Relations Coordinator at Penn State Behrend. Jacob has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Grove City College, a history in virology research at Penn State Hershey, and a master’s degree in project management from Penn State World Campus. He was instrumental in founding, and currently oversees, the Innovation Commons at Penn State Behrend, a product design and rapid prototyping center staffed by undergraduate students. Innovation Commons is a founding member of both the Invent Penn State initiative and the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network. Throughout its six years of operation, Innovation Commons has served hundreds of entrepreneurs and developed new businesses and patents, creating jobs and providing exceptional experiences for undergraduates. Jacob also helps develop, fund, and manage various other programs involving entrepreneurship, economic development, and industrial partnerships with Penn State Behrend.

Byron Rich is an artist, professor, and lecturer born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and serves as the inaugural Director of Academic Innovation Partnerships at Allegheny College. His work exploring speculative design, biology futures, and tactical media has been widely shown and spoken about internationally. He pursued a degree in New-Media at The University of Calgary before relocating to Buffalo, New York where he obtained an MFA in Emerging Practices at The University at Buffalo. He was the runner-up for the 2016 BioArt & Design Award, and the recipient of an Honorary Mention at the 2017 Prix Ars Electronica. He now serves as the inaugural Director of Academic Innovation Partnerships and Associate Professor of Art at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.