BLITZ BANGOR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Blitz CoFounder / Executive Dean of the Maine Business School, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship
- Co - Managing Director of Scratchpad Accelerator
Dr. Jason Harkins is the Co-Managing Director of Scratchpad Accelerator (a program aimed at helping scalable, investment-oriented firms grow), Co-owner of CoVort (Bangor's exclusive downtown co-working space), and Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Maine. He is also on the board of UpStart Maine, has been a judge for Greenlight Maine, and helps startup companies focus on developing their businesses. Jason's teaching and research interests relate to the intersection of strategy, entrepreneurship and small business management. His latest research focuses on human capital acquisition and retention in new, small firms and entrepreneurial exits.
Job Titles:
- Blitz CoFounder / Partner at LG & H, Certified Public Accountants
- Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant
Leslie Poake is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant. She changed her field to public accounting after years of running for-profit companies as well as financial management of nonprofits. Leslie puts her business experience to use working with owners of businesses of all sizes. Her clients include businesses in many industries and all stages of the business life cycle, and she has has a particular interest in the startup community. Leslie has also helped to organize Big Gig Junior, a pitch contest for seventh grade students presented in conjunction with the Big Gig Finale.
Job Titles:
- Serial Entrepreneur, Author, Power of Transparency
Lisa Liberatore, a serial entrepreneur and connector, began her journey by founding Baxter Tea Company before selling it five years later. She co-founded several real estate investment firms and holds an Associate Broker License with NextHome Experience in Bangor. Lisa expanded her entrepreneurial reach by establishing Lisa's Legit Burritos in Gardiner, now expanded to Augusta, Maine, managed by business partners through a licensing agreement.
As the Program Manager for Scratchpad Accelerator, Maine's first seed accelerator north of Boston, Lisa supported 12 scalable companies, helping them raise over $5 million in equity. She excels in event coordination, building a mentor network of over 200 people across the state, and surpassing fundraising goals.
Lisa co-founded CoVort, Bangor's inaugural coworking space, fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs. She authored "The Power of Transparency" and serves as an adjunct professor at the Maine Business School, where her students have raised over $40k for Bangor region nonprofits while developing their business and leadership skills. Lisa remains dedicated to supporting Maine's entrepreneurial and small business community.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Communications Consultant
- Marketing and Communications Consultant, Owner of Madame History Heritage Walking Tours
Monique Bouchard is a marketing and communications consultant specializing in creative outreach solutions for growing organizations. For more than 20 years, she has worked for and with marketing agencies, educational and nonprofit organizations.
She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for Kennebec Valley Community College, teaching and facilitating an online workforce development course for adults aspiring to become virtual assistants.
Monique is also the owner and proprietress of a heritage tourism company, Madame History, which brings the past to life with unique and entertaining excursions, events, and educational experiences.