Thirteen business professionals will serve as national advisory board members, officers and committee chairs for the TRDA Business Innovation Center, Melbourne's new business incubation facility that opened Aug. 16.

"The success of the TRDA Business Innovation Center is heavily dependent on the quality of its leadership," said Dan Advasio, chairman of the board for the TRDA. "We have assembled an energetic and accomplished team of professionals that will work hard for the Center's future and the welfare of our client companies."

National Advisory Board members include professionals with high-level experience in various aspects of high-growth business development, both in the private and public sectors.  Members include:  John Cambier, senior vice president and chief financial officer for North Carolina IDEA; John Dexheimer, investment professional with First Analysis; Richard Fox, principal of The Astralis Group, LLC; Karen Kerr, managing director of Agile Equities; Robin Kovaleski, executive director of Florida Venture Forum; Phillip Singerman, Ph.D., managing director of Toucan Capital Corp.; Chester J. Straub, Jr., executive director of the TRDA; and Paul Suchoski, an entrepreneur and angel investor.

This board, which will meet twice a year, will examine the Center's programs, policies, content and opportunities. Also, it will analyze the progress and opportunities of resident clients.

In addition, five appointees, along with one advisory board member, will lead the Emerging Business Network (EBN), which will mentor and consult with Center's clients. Members of the EBN will also identify candidate companies for tenancy and guide Center leadership on overall improvements to enhance its success.

The new EBN Board consists of:  John Igoe (EBN chair), partner with Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge; Mark Fleisher (EBN vice chair), of counsel with Broad & Cassel; Steve Loso (EBN secretary), president of Regions Financial Corporation; Hal Van Horn (chair of review panel committee), managing director of Entrepreneurial Resources of Florida; Terry Brennan (chair of seminar committee), partner with Roetzel & Andress; Suchoski (chair of mentoring committee).

EBN appointees will meet monthly with the TRDA staff.