Accel7 and Ulster County have gathered industry-proven experts from the Hudson Valley and beyond to help build your roadmap

Mentors span industries and sectors with years of experience operating, advising, and consulting small to large businesses

Meet the team Request to be a mentor

Meet the RESPOND Program Team

Access current and past information to help you and your team consider the best decisions for your company during this time.

Lisa Berger

Director of Economic Development

Ulster County

Kate Heidecker

Deputy Director of Economic Development

Ulster County

Sarah Haley

Chair, UCEDA

SVP of Private Banking, People's United Bank

Danny Potocki

Managing Director

Accel7

Johnny LeHane

Head of Growth Strategy, Accel7

Managing Partner, Hudson Valley Startup Fund

Hugh Schwartz

Chairman

Hudson Valley Center for Innovation

Brinn Flagg

Community Manager

Accel7

Juan Cadile

Developer, Accel7

Founder, Salve

Colin Longsdon

Researcher, Accel7

Student, Iona College

Lisbeth Baez

Content Strategist, Accel7

MBA Student, Iona College

Nick Bozentko

Data Analyst, Accel7

Student, Iona College

Rahul Joseph

Data Analyst, Accel7

Student, SUNY New Paltz

The RESPOND Team wants to advise you on business operations.

Companies can participate in a 2-hour Industry Diagnostic session with 10-15 colleagues to explore models of pivoting and growing in this challenging market.
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Business owners can participate in a 1-2 hour Deep Dive Session with a strategist to develop a business roadmap around one core challenge facing the business.

Submit your application to qualify

Meet the RESPOND Partners

Meet the RESPOND Mentor Team

Joe DeVita

Managing Partner

Moving Traffic Media

Tony DiMarco

Entrepreneur in Residence, SUNY New Paltz

Managing Director, GCSEN

Mike Oates

President & CEO

Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation

Josh Sommers

President & CEO

Focus Media

Lisa Sommers

Vice President

Focus Media

Jimmy DeCicco

Oldest Brother & CEO

Kitu Life Super Coffee

Sarah Patterson

Outsourced CFO

Essjay Consulting

Dan Mulroy

CEO & Founder

373 North

Bob Ryan

President

Ryan & Ryan Insurance

John Klassen

Vice President of Commercial Lending at Ulster Savings Bank

Ulster Savings Bank

Judy Tallerman

Owner

Senate Garage

Andrew Addotta

Owner

Hamilton & Adams

Jarlyne Batista

Founder

MWP Magazine

Eileen Nuñez

Founder

MWP Magazine

Chris Hewitt

Director

Hudson Valley Current

Nina Isabelle

Founder

Three Phase

Melanie Cronin

Founder

CronArt

Luke Burbach

Head Golf Pro

Wiltwyck Golf Club

Brian Nowitzki

Longtime Member

Zena Recreation Park

Nels Leader

CEO

Bread Alone Bakery

To be Announced

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Complete Pre-Webinar Survey Register For A Webinar

Industry Diagnostics

Diagnostics bring together 10-15 companies in one industry to meet with leaders who advise businesses on trends and models of pivoting and growing in a challenging market.

Complete a Pre-Diagnostic Survey Register for a Diagnostic

Learn More Request an Invite

Advisory Sessions

Entrepreneurs and business owners meet with an experienced business strategist (or two, depending on need) to work through one core challenge facing the business in the pandemic economic environment.

Ulster County-based businesses need to qualify to participate in a one-on-one advisory session with a strategist. Please complete the survey to submit your request.

Share your Core Challenge Request an Advisory Session

IN THE PRESS