Building an entrepreneurial mindset lecture on Oct. 26

The Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (CEED) Center at Penn State Berks will host an event as part of its speaker series at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in room 5, Luerssen Buidling. Guest speakers include Timothy Hillert, CEO of BenXChange; John Gatto, partner at TAR Capital, LLC; and Pam Moore-O’Neill, owner of Moore Music. These three entrepreneurs will discuss the importance of building an entrepreneurial mindset in order to develop thriving businesses. All three individuals have committed themselves to being mentors for Penn State Berks students.

Timothy Hillert earned his bachelor's degree in business from Penn State Berks and completed his executive MBA in 2014 at Smeal College of Business. Hillert is the founder of BenXchange, a company that provides employee benefits, insurance and retirement plans to organizations. During its first year in business, BenXchange received the prestigious Stevie Award bronze medal for start-up of the year.

John Gatto Jr. is one of the founding members of TAR Capital, LLC, a consulting firm for organizations looking to expand. Gatto has more than 25 years of experience in progressively responsible manufacturing operations. As an Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Services professional, Gatto has expertise in diversified industries, including oil and gas, energy, off road (including rail), automotive, marine, offshore, specialized agriculture and mining. He is a 1977 graduate of Penn State Berks.

Pamela Moore-O'Neill got her start in the entertainment industry at the age of 3, performing regularly on "Al Alberts Showcase," an entertainment variety show, from 1962 to 1994. She attended West Chester University, then West Chester State College. After years of performing at local venues, Moore-O’Neill founded her own entertainment agency, Moore Music, where she manages a staff of 18 disc jockeys and assistants.

Penn State Berks is committed to entrepreneurship and economic development. The CEED Center was established in the fall of 2011 as part of the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. The center is an extension of the college’s entrepreneurship and innovation minor. This interdisciplinary 18-credit minor is designed to foster an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and leadership in students.

Since the CEED Center was established, it has sponsored several Entrepreneurship Speaker Series panel discussions, composed of both student entrepreneurs who have started their own businesses and local entrepreneurs from the business community. In addition, several collaborative initiatives have been undertaken between students, faculty, business and industry leaders, and members of organizations from around the world.

For more information on these projects or the CEED Center, contact Sadan Kulturel-Konak, director of the CEED Center, at 610-396-6137 or via email at [email protected].