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Jeffrey Parnell
Interim Executive Director
Jeff’s background includes more than 20 years of executive experience in start-ups, emerging businesses, middle market enterprises, and public companies. Across industries as diverse as apparel, consumer products, sporting goods, automotive, manufacturing, financial services, and internet/technology, he has led numerous initiatives to drive growth, reposition companies for a stronger competitive edge, gain entry into new markets, streamline organizational processes, and improve financial performance.
Jeff holds undergraduate and M.B.A. degrees from East Carolina University, and is an adjunct professor in the Gannon University and Mercyhurst University Business schools. He has served on numerous corporate and non-profit boards, while also coaching and mentoring several start-up companies right here at the Erie Technology Incubator.
Karen Ann Geier
Incubator Client Coordinator
Karen Ann Geier comes to the Erie Technology Incubator after 5 years of customer service experience working within the Registrar’s Office at Mercyhurst College. A lifelong resident of Erie, Karen began her early career in banking and then moved on to the Accounting Department at Zurn Industries. Following five years at Zurn, Karen worked for the Unicell Division of the American Sterilizer Company. Unicell specializes in manufacturing products used in the laboratory, health care and pharmacy industry.
After four years at American Sterilizer, Karen took a twenty year employment hiatus as a stay at home mother where she raised two daughters. During her hiatus, Karen volunteered as a public relations liaison for the Ophelia Project and served on the board of various PTAs in the Fairview School District, in addition, Karen volunteered with the March of Dimes and Girl Scouts of American. Then in 2007 Karen earned an Associate of Arts degree from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA.
Jean Marnella-Berarducci
Front Desk Administrator and Events Coordinator
Jean Marnella-Berarducci welcomes guests and visitors to the Incubator and assists the client and affiliate companies with administrative tasks. She also coordinates events, trainings and meetings in the conference rooms and in the computer training lab. Jean is also a self-employed entrepreneur with Arbonne International where she helps others take control of their health and wealth by introducing them to botanically-based personal care and health and wellness products through presentations and workshops, which teach them how to turn an everyday expense into an income.
Jean was the community director at Parkside at Westminster and The Regency at South Shore, both of which are Parkside Senior Living Communities for a combined total of approximately eight (8) years. She managed the independent and personal care communities for with responsibilities that included all aspects of property management, marketing and advertising, coordination of social activities, transportation, foodservice, housekeeping, maintenance as well as emergency after-hours calls. Jean has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.