Marietta College's PioPitch returns with MOVEE special edition on Sept. 27

Entrepreneurship-sponsored program to feature 13 presenters over five dates

MARIETTA, OHIO (09/24/2018) Marietta College's 2018-19 PioPitch program will feature 13 presenters on five dates, starting with a special Mid-Ohio Valley Entrepreneurship Expo edition at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, September 27th.

The presenters are Drew Tanner, Director of Marketing for Peoples Bank Theatre, and Geoff Schenkel and Jackson Patterson of Main Street West.

During PioPitch, Tanner will represent the entrepreneurial spirit of the historic theatre, and seek input on the types of experiences and activities currently missing downtown that would complement a night out at the theatre. Tanner is particularly interested in ideas for "The Stage Door," a new venue offered by the theatre on Putnam Street.

Geoff and Jackson are active members of Main Street West, a branch of Marietta Main Street focused on the Harmar community. Both have spent recent months actively seeking input on ways to revitalize and redevelop their community. At PioPitch, they will seek feedback on ways to maximize participation and input from a community that is troubled by a number of factors but is not always able to meet in real time.

Through one-hour interactive sessions, PioPitch helps connect students, entrepreneurs, and Mid-Ohio Valley business and community leaders in an effort to build a bridge between theory and practice, and turn challenges into opportunities.

Each PioPitch session functions similarly to a large focus group, with two presentations per session. Each presenter is on stage for 30 minutes, providing an overview of his/her organization/idea for 5-10 minutes, followed by an introduction of a current challenge or "problem." The remainder of each speaker's time is devoted to feedback from and dialogue with the audience.

All other sessions begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Timothy O. Cooper Auditorium in Thomas Hall (unless otherwise noted) and are free and open to the public.

As part of the College's Homecoming weekend, there will be an alumni spotlight PioPitch on Oct. 11. This is a chance for The Long Blue Line to come full circle as two alumni entrepreneurs take center stage at PioPitch.

Tiesha Anderson '14 is the owner and senior executive recruiter for Pioneer Recruitment Solutions, which helps connect companies with talented candidates. During her PioPitch session, Anderson will seek feedback on the feasibility of her company with its current offerings and whether it can be successful in its current form.

Micalyn Harris '02 is the President/CEO of the U.S. division of ELPRO, a Swiss-based temperature monitoring company, and she will also make a presentation on Oct. 11. At PioPitch, Micalyn and her colleague, Leah Harris, will present and seek feedback on their vision for a new international networking and advisory platform for professional women called "Arrow Path."

The Nov. 8 PioPitch will focus on social entrepreneurship and feature Erica Marks, and Jeff Totten and Kirk McCall.

Marks is the director of the Yew Mountain Center, a non-profit educational organization providing programs that explore Appalachian ecology, culture and arts while promoting community and personal wellness. At PioPitch, Marks will seek input on ways to bring new energy and ideas to her area and ask about potential partners and service-learning programs for the organization.

Totten and McCall represent the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee. At PioPitch, the two will seek feedback on how to make the city even greater than it already is, and are especially interested in the potential of Belpre's riverfront area, potential branding for the city, and ways Belpre can become a destination for new residents and visitors.

Creativity and Innovation will be the focus on Feb. 7 as the PioPitch organizers recognize National Entrepreneurship Week. This session of PioPitch features two entrepreneurs - Bobby Rosenstock and Tiffany Roberts - who bring creativity and innovation into their daily work.

Rosenstock is co-owner of justAjar Design Press, a letterpress, printmaking and design shop with operations and a storefront on Front Street in Marietta. The company uses old and new technology to create unique work, including everything from web design and logos to customer illustration, woodcuts and letterpress printing.

Roberts is the owner of Dapper Dachshund Photography, a new small business located on Front Street in Marietta. At PioPitch, Roberts will seek input on how she can effectively reach more people in her target market and how she can better help her clients see the value in print products vs. digital images.

The final PioPitch session will feature entrepreneurs devoted to issues surrounding health and wellness.

Brent DeWees and Barbara Adkins are licensed massage therapists. Brent is the owner of Rest Studio, and Barbara is the manager. Rest Studio is a massage and spa establishment. At PioPitch, the two will seek feedback on marketing the studio and developing a fair and equitable relationship between the studio and independent contractors.

Amanda Mercer is the owner of THRIVEfitt, LLC. Her mission is to coach people to thrive in all areas of health so they are physically fit, have complete wellness and lead strong lives with strong bodies.

To learn more: www.marietta.edu/piopitch.

Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy back in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students. The College offers 49 majors and is consistently ranked as one of the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, as well as one of the nation's best by Forbes.com. Marietta was selected seventh in the nation according to the Brookings Institution's rankings of colleges by their highest value added, regardless of major.

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