Meet Our Counselors

Vic Berniklau
Started two electronic security firms and managed them for 25 years (annual revenue $2M and 30 employees); Retired senior executive, US Department of Energy with broad responsibilities in technical and administrative areas, including budgeting, contracts and planning; Management Consultant; Instructor, UNM Business School in Management of Technology; Holds BS in Mechanical Engineering and MBA degrees.

Joe Cotruzzola
Founder (1973) The Mangement Institute/NM, including 30 years as Chair/Facilitator for peer groups of CEOs/owners, committed to developing their execcutive skills and business growth. Earlier, fifteen years in project management in aerospace engineering and land development. Holds an engineering degree.

Bob Council
Currently, specializes as online counselor for SCORE.  (contact through SCORE website www.score.org.  20 years of real estate experience including commercial and residential property management and 10 years as managing broker and CEO of Castle & Associates, Inc..  24 years as Coast Guard officer involved in project management including Research and Development of Unique Surface Effect Ship Division in Key West, Fl and Commanding Division of Ships.

John Fleming
After starting in industrial engineering and management consulting, spent forty years in a variety of small businesses, the last thirty as co-owner and CFO of a particleboard and wood products manufacturing company. Holds Engineering and MBA degrees.

Dave Gaulden
Founder/CEO of Stop Industries (National distributor of school supplies and chain of retail school supply stores) for 13 years; Founder/CEO of Julmark Group (Manufacturer of stationery products sold via four internet websites) for last 13 years; Serves on various corporate boards of directors

Henry Gerard
Owned and operated a casket company in Rhode Island for 27 years; Supplied caskets to funeral homes in the North East USA and helped them with their merchandising and overhead costs.

Ray Heidfeld
Owned and operated two manufacturing companies in the store fixture industry for 38 years which were sold successfully; Was the President of the Association of Retail Environments (ARE); Holds a Bachelors degree in Business

Royce House
Founded and managed an international sales/marketing firm for 35 years.

John F. Jennings
While with General Motors Corp. (management training program, payroll, cost accounting/analysis and plant supervision); Corporate Labor Relations Manager in heavy industrial construction firm; Human Resource/Administration Manager with Government Contractor and owner of Management Consulting business.

Margaret Keller
COO of Albuquerque American Express Travel, taking it from 1M to 11M. Went on to be Founding Executive Director of The Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico and continued work with non-profits with the NM Society of Professional Engineers. Currently sits on the national ABET Board. Licensed Qualifying Real Estate Broker and a trainer at the Board of Realtors.

Sylvia Machado
In Title Insurance industry for 11 years; Administrative Manager for So Cal regional office and 8 branch offices; Co-owned and managed three businesses(air conditioning system cleaning, indoor air quality investigations and testing, and janitorial/mold remediation) for 18 years.

Teresa Marie
Teresa Marie is a speaker and business coach who has spent a decade advising top corporate executives on how to transform their business realities. Teresa started her business career in commercial real estate as both a property manager and asset manager. Teresa has a Masters degree in Management and has owned her speaking and coaching business since 1999.

Lloyd McKee
Owner Chrysler Plymouth dealership 35 years; Board member Citizens Bank (Chairman 3 years); Western Bank board member; President of Lee Iaccoca's Presidents Council; Maintained Securities 7 license as well as Commercial Real Estate License; Active in civic/political/charitable affairs.

Pete Mikelson
Had a 25 year career in international business publishing. His responsibilities at various times included editorial, business forecasting, international business consulting, vendor negotiations and partner sales management. Subsequently, Pete worked in executive search, insurance and currently operates a marketing and web design consultancy.

Cindy Mottle
Varied experiences, including high school mathematics teacher, Fitness Manager, and more recently, IT Director; Other assignments included Director of Operations and Director of System Projects, in both manufacturing and health care fields: Holds a B.S. degree in both Mathematics and Computer Science.

Gerald Newfield
Internal Revenue agent in Albuquerque for 15 years. After leaving the I.R.S., he established his own certified public accounting firm.  Experience concentrated in small business and individual tax issues.

Tim Nisly
Background in small business startups, business plan writing, and product development; Holds an undergraduate in entrepreneurial studies and an MBA in Marketing: Several years of real-world experience working with small and developing businesses; Has particular experience working with agricultural businesses and food-based products.

Rhoda Parker
After obtaining a BBA/Economics spent a career in business, specializing in government contracting, both as a contractor and as a government contracting officer.

Mary Parkin
Seasoned entrepreneur with funding and running start ups. Passionate about customer service. Past experience includes being a Series 7 stockbroker. Executive MBA education.

Ab Potter
Owner of Gordon Electric Supply in Illinois for past 17 years. Previously, President of subsidiaries of Fortune 100 Company for 18 years. Previously VP, Sales & Marketing of largest U.S. co-ax cable manufacturer. Currently volunteer with United Way, ACCION NM and serve on WESST Board of Directors.

Lewis Real
Computer programmer and customer service rep with National Cash Register for 6 years; With Bank of New Mexico in Operations for 2 years; With AirPage (radio common carrier) for 16 years; With US West Paging as District Manager for 2 years; Owner and operator (with wife) of  STARCO ( HVAC/R Wholesaler) for 16 years.

Steve Sacarisen
Background in the Semiconductor industry with start-up companies in Marketing, Applications and Engineering department management. Small business owner and operator of multi-tenant retail property and car wash. Expertise in Marketing, Strategic planning and Intellectual property. Has taught seminars on several Business topics and Intellectual property. Holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering a PE with several US patents.

Heinz Schmitt
After 35 years at Sandia Labs retired as Chief Engineer and VP Systems Development. Now has own consulting company and volunteers at Score, UNM, OSU, Habitat and Assistance League. Experienced in design, development, production, strategic planning and management. Have interacted with government, industry and universities.

John Sechrist
After graduating College in 1953 with a BS Degree in math and science spent 2 years in the Army and 31 years in the communications industry as an engineering manager in both technical and human resources fields. After retirement joined  SC0RE and has been an active member for over 20 years.

Janet Sommer
Employed by Spectra Research Institute as the Office Manager/ Accountant and Corporate Secretary since 1998. The corporation is a 501(c)(3) that specializes in government contracting. Graduated from the Anderson School of Management at UNM with a BBA in Accounting. Have also served as a Pension Administrator.

Angela Stewart
Business experience mostly in Human Resources: Recruiting/interviewing key personnel, pay structures, training methods, employment laws, strategic planning, employee relations issues. Certified Compensation Professional, Certified Professional in Human Resources. Holds BA and MA degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Ed Vickers
Aerospace Engineering Degree with a Mechanical Engineering PE from GA Tech; 10 years in the Aerospace industry primarily in project management; 30 Years in the Automotive aftermarket industry working with independent dealers and franchisees in sales & branch management.; International experience starting a wholly owned subsidiary in the Australia/New Zealand market place;  Hold a California Brokers license with experience in Property Management