Aaron Miscenich
Executive Director
Aaron has worked with companies from the concept stage all the way through growth and maturity. On the economic development side, he has managed efforts that have created a knowledge-based economy in Louisiana through public and private funding including federal, state, and local sources, public/private partnerships, and straight development capital.
Alajah Parker
Administrative Assistant
Alajah strives to create effective and efficient programming and office communication skills. She is a dedicated problem solver with more than 6 years of customer service experience and always has a smile on her face for you!
Bobbie Soellner
Business Manager
As bwtech’s Business Manager, Bobbie brings 20 years of UMBC Business & Grant, Experience to the Research Park team. Starting her career at UMBC in Financial Services as an Administrative Assistant, she continued her career as a Human Resources Specialist. Before joining The College of Engineering, Information Technology, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Maryland, University College and then became a Sr. Grant Specialist for the Shared Services Center in COEIT. Bobbie has just completed her Master Certificate at the University of Maryland Baltimore in Research Administration. At bwtech, Bobbie is the point of contact for any UMBC & Research Park Corporation business and grant management.
Marjorie Cota
Director of Entrepreneurial Services
As bwtech’s Director of Entrepreneurial Services, Marjie brings 25+ years entrepreneurial experience in working with companies of a variety of sizes and industries. She has developed numerous relationships throughout the country and has assisted in developing startups from conception all the way through second-stage growth and maturity. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana State University and has worked for a number of years in the Baltimore/DC area. Marjie completes our bwtech team and will assist our clients in growing to new levels.
Brenda Jackson
Program Management Specialist
Casina Rice
Program Management Specialist
Casina manages and coordinates events at bwtech South, including the rental and concierge services those events entail. Casina also manages tenant billing for the South campus. She is a member of the Baltimore Marketing Association and is the founder of two mission-driven companies, Faith Flos and BlankCanvas2Art.
Rob Starr
Facilities Maintenance Specialist
As one of our longest-serving employees, with over 45 years at bwtech, Rob knows almost everything there is to know about the facilities at bwtech. Rob and his team are responsible for the maintenance and repair of bwtech’s buildings and equipment.
Jerry Bechler
Multi Trades Chief II
Jerry brings a wealth of experience and expertise in facilities maintenance to his role at bwtech, mostly gained while working in apartment maintenance. For the last three years, Jerry has been an integral member of bwtech’s South campus facilities team, where he is responsible for overseeing preventative and ongoing maintenance projects.
Kristen Franklin
Director of Leasing and Facilities
Kristen manages the leasing and physical facilities for bwtech@UMBC’s two incubator and accelerator complexes, North and South and is the initial contact for those seeking collaborative opportunities with UMBC faculty and staff. Prior to joining bwtech@UMBC, Kristen worked in university housing and facilities for more than 15 years in the Baltimore/DC region. She is originally from Wisconsin and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marquette University.
Lauren Weinberg
Marketing & Communications
As Manager of Marketing and Communications, Lauren is responsible for promoting bwtech@UMBC and its programs, facilities, partners, and entrepreneurs. She develops, implements, and manages branding, community engagement, and content strategies to nurture growth in translational research and entrepreneurship that drives tangible results for our community.
Stacy Aljabiry
Administrative Assistant II
Stacy is responsible for processing agreements and renewals for bwtech clients. She joined bwtech team over 22 years ago as a receptionist before transitioning to marketing. For the last 15 years, Stacy has been excelling on the facilities management team. Prior to joining bwtech, Stacy worked in the accounting, medical billing, and printing industries.
Rita Classen
Business Consultant
Rita works in the business office at bwtech, handling tenant billings and financials at North Campus. She is a Baltimore native and a graduate of University of Baltimore. Prior to coming to bwtech, Rita worked with her brother to jointly own and operate a small business for 9 years.
David J. Fink, PhD
Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Dave has worked in biotechnology and biomedical product development for more than 40 years and founded or was a top officer of seven start-ups. In addition to advising life science incubator companies at bwtech@UMBC, he is the Site Miner for UMBC research that, with support from the Maryland Innovation Initiative, holds the potential for commercialization.
Hillel Glazer
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, MII Site Miner
Hillel specializes in delivery. He has worldwide, industry-spanning experience in a career of over 30 years in engineering, performance, manufacturing, quality, compliance, and transformations. He has been in a number of startup and growth companies where he helped them unclog bottlenecks to scale to meet demand. He transfers the deep understanding of what needs to be done along with why it needs to be done and why it works leaving engagements with new capabilities to decide when and how to get work done on their own.
Tom McCabe
Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Richard Chipkin
Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Rick is a seasoned professional with over thirty-five years of experience in executive management, business development, and preclinical and clinical research at big pharma and biotech companies. He identifies and develops novel technologies, works with entrepreneurs, negotiates/closes deals, and directs complex development programs. Rick’s accomplishments include managing a biotech company, in- and out-licensing, and raising venture capital funds licensing, and raising venture capital funds.
Will Anderson
Strategic Business Consultant
Will is an executive and trusted advisor to business, investors, foundations and electeds, focused on initiatives with private-public benefits. At bwtech, Will helps organizations to set, clarify, amplify and execute complex strategies. These include business modeling, funding, partnership, organization performance and innovation campus development. Will led Economic & Workforce Development for Baltimore County ($19M operation), served on bwtech's board and founded two tech firms, including his current startup, Circonomy. Will proudly serves on numerous civic boards around greater Baltimore.