Welcome Mentors in Residence!
We are excited to welcome our six new and two returning Mentors in Residence to the FORGE team this fall!
Mentors in Residence support various programs and activities at FORGE, from giving guest lectures on specific topics to drop-in mentoring and advising at FORGE locations. Mentors in Residence also assist FORGE’s Founding Director on several projects and initiatives and work with special subsets of entrepreneurs. Becoming part of our Student Venture Pathways Programs creates opportunities for students to engage with our mentors. Get to know our Mentors in Residence below!
Mentors in Residence
The Mentor in Residence position is critical to FORGE’s success and staffed by experienced experts who enjoy the opportunity to give back to their communities and work with aspiring and successful entrepreneurs. Business and community leaders interested in becoming a Mentor in Residence, can learn more here.
John Achoukian
"I'm looking forward to sharing from my many lessons learned to help navigate challenges, raise confidence, and guide problem-solving abilities. Help develop leadership skills and capabilities while establishing relationships and networks that guide stakeholders personally and professionally."
John has over 15 years in the healthcare industry, including the technology, health plan, inpatient, and outpatient provider spaces. John helped design a care transition management solution and drove the product's implementation, go-to-market strategy, and new features. John implemented a Health Information Exchange (HIE) solution in the provider space across multiple markets. Before healthcare, John was a consultant with Hitachi Consulting and Accenture, where he worked on various Fortune 50 and government projects. John is a travel and sports enthusiast living in Tucson and loves outdoor activities. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and a Master of Healthcare Innovation from Arizona State University.
Ben Maurey
"I look forward to working with and mentoring future entrepreneurs and watching their ideas grow into companies that could change the way healthcare functions and potentially save lives."
Ben is a strategy consultant in biotechnology with a strong focus on developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics. He has worked with many top pharma companies advising them on clinical trials, M&A purchases, and launch strategies. In addition, Ben is part of The Cancer Fund, a venture capital firm focusing on investing in companies developing technologies that would extend the life of cancer patients. In this role, he advises portfolio companies and their CEOs on the best path to market and assists in raising capital. Ben is an avid athlete in his spare time who plays almost any sport and aims for the US Olympic bobsled team.
Rafel Tapia
"I look forward to connecting with fellow Mentors in Residence, students, and the community. This is an opportunity for me to learn, grow, and support others to do the same."
Rafael F. Tapia, Jr., of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, is the Vice President of Programs at Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) serving hundreds of reservation communities in 9 states. PWNA's food and water, emergency relief/response, health, and education services focus on improving the quality of life of Native citizens residing in mostly remote and under-resourced communities. Rafael's experience is concentrated in human, economic, workforce, and community development. He served as the senior advisor to the office of the chairman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Arizona Department of Commerce Tribal Liaison to the 22 Arizona Indian Tribes, consultant, and is a small business owner. Rafael holds an MBA from the University of Arizona and an Economic Development Certificate from Oklahoma University College.
Flora Tromelin
"I have witnessed friends, colleagues, and business owners fail with their companies because they didn't know how to brand their business and stay connected with their potential clients. In this role, I hope to help many students, local community partners, and young entrepreneurs fill the gaps and solve issues. I am a strong problem solver and passionate about helping others find innovative solutions when they think there are none."
Flora Tromelin is the founder and CEO of FCT Strategies, an LLC located in Phoenix, Arizona. Flora is an expert in public affairs and communication, with over 20 years of experience in management, diplomacy, marketing, communication, international protocol, and event management, and many years of experience supporting local initiatives for non-profit organizations. She received her master's in marketing and management in Reims, France. Flora is the former Chief of Protocol to the U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco where she was one of the Ambassador's close advisors. She oversaw creating and implementing cross-cultural diplomatic events and projects. She is passionate about building relationships that foster long-term partnerships on an international scale. She is the wife of a now retired U.S. Army officer and the proud mother of 2 teenagers.
Sherry Hoskinson
"I look forward to engaging with and helping dynamic founders and ideas"
Sherry has 30 years of work experience advising founders and 10 years leading growth companies in the university and private sectors. Her experience includes working as a director of the McGuire center for entrepreneurship at the University of Arizona and building technology commercialization programs at numerous universities. She is committed to the growth of opportunities that move important innovations to those for whom they were creating, impacting society, the environment, and the economy.
Randy Nelson
"My role in Forge will optimize my 20 years of experience working with and helping entrepreneurs become successful."
Randy began his career in business by opening his own business while working on his bachelor's degree. It was an import/retail gift shop with inventory from South and Central America, India, and China. He also managed Air Tanker Bases for a summer job during the forest fire season. After his successful run at the gift shop, he transitioned into the food service industry. He was recognized as Rookie Manager of the Year for the Domino's Pizza franchise. His career transitioned into sales as the service manager for an industrial laundry expanding through Northern Arizona and Yuma County. "Corporate Sales" was his next adventure. He worked as the Director of a Small Business Development Center with a Fortune 100 company covering Yuma and LaPaz Counties for 20 years. The center assisted with the startup business community, growing existing businesses, and selling or closing businesses. He received many recognitions and opportunities to present locally, nationally, and internationally.
Our Returning Mentors in Residence!
Patrick "Pat" Hager
Patrick joins the FORGE team as an Mentor-in-Residence after a 30-year career at the 3M Co. in St Paul MN, known for innovative technologies and products. Patrick served chiefly as a product & process development scientist in 4 different verticals (retail, industrial, automotive, and healthcare) to create new products and markets and generate new dollar sales in excess of $4.5 billion. Patrick co-founded an internal new opportunity team based on direct engagement with customers, helping drive the creation of new-to-the-world businesses and markets, and which exemplified ‘intrapreneurship’ within the corporate structure. Patrick held numerous technical leadership roles in 3M and retired as a Corporate Scientist in 2017, subsequently moving to Tucson in 2019.
Patrick earned a BS in Chemistry and PhD in Polymer Science from the Institute of Polymer Science & Engineering in Akron, Ohio, and since retirement has kept active by volunteering with FORGE in their AEP programs, as an NSF ICORPS mentor, as well as with Archaeology Southwest on Hohokam era artifact identification and reconstruction. Patrick also enjoys biking, hiking, traveling, and continued learning.
William "Bill" Waynick
Bill Waynick retired as a Colonel from the US Air Force after 30-years of service. He received his commission in 1991, graduating from the University of Arizona’s ROTC program with a degree in Management Information Systems. Bill began as a computer programmer and worked his way up, serving over ten combat deployments, supporting special operations, and becoming the Director of Air Force CyberWorx, the service’s innovation hub for all things cyber. He is an industry-recognized CIO and Innovation and Technology Director experienced in providing large-scale enterprise-wide communication and collaboration services for the DoD. Known as a sleeves-up leader of large IT organizations with a unique ability to discover hidden opportunities to provide maximum value, Bill has driven digital transformations across the US Air and Space Forces. He was recognized for excellence by senior DoD officials for his ability to lead and innovate in the most complex environments. He serves as a keynote speaker and panelist for numerous national industry and cyber forums. Along the way, Bill picked up three master’s degrees in Computer Information Systems, Military Operational Art & Science, and Strategic Studies.
Bill serves as an Mentor-in-Residence for the University of Arizona FORGE program and as a board member for the non-profit Arizona Cyber Initiative program which encourages Arizona’s high school students to seek opportunities in the cyber ecosystem.
We are excited to have these amazing individuals on our team. With their expertise and individual experience, we will be expanding our programs and engaging more students and community members.