There are clearly more reasons to have a Board of Directors than not, but they are not for everyone. Are Boards of Advisers worth the time to organize and support them? Are there failures? If so, what can be done to mitigate the risks? These topics will be the grist for Schaufield’s remarks. The following panel of experts will add their voice s to those issues:

• Paul Baudisch, Co-founder and Partner, Keyword Connects LLC, Walham, provides a unique online lead generation service for companies selling home improvement products and services. A veteran of three technology start-ups, Baudisch has established advisory boards for two of his start-ups and is a strong advocate of the role they can plan in the success of growing companies

• Tom Sherwin, Founder and President of CEO Resources, Inc., Framingham, is a nationally recotgnized expert and advisor to CEOs in strategy, CEO coaching, succession and corporate governance, working with companies in the commercial, educational and nonprofit arenas. He was CEO of Surgicot Flexible Packaging, Osteo-Technology and The Maasdam Corporation, and a senior executive with several medical device firms.
• Larry Gordan, President of Cold Chain Technologies (CCT), a global provider of temperature sensitive packaging solutions for the Pharma industry's biological shipments. Prior to founding CCT, Larry was COO of The Fair Department Stores, a family-based $80 million regional discount retain chain in New England. Gordon held engineering and marketing positions an Intel and at GCA, an environmental engineering firm.

Schaufeld is WPI Professor of Practice in Innovation / Entrepreneurship with dual appointments to the School of Business and Department of Engineering where he focuses on the formation and growth of technology based new ventures. He has been involved with entrepreneurship throughout his career which includes multiple senior leadership positions with organizations involved in the development and commercialization of advanced technical products. He is a sought speaker for forums involving entrepreneurship and innovation.

Schaufeld was Co-Founder and Director of Phoenix Controls and Executive Director of the Rhode Islandbased Slater Fund, which provides seed funding and support for early stage companies. Previous positions include President and CEO of Mass Ventures; COO of Roll Systems; and Interim President of Termiflex. He has served on numerous boards including start-ups, established companies and venture forums and co-founded and advised three angel investment groups.

Admission is $25, which includes pizza and salad, or join SNEEF for $75 and attend the forums free.  Register at www.sneef.org.