High-tech companies are sprouting up throughout the region, helping to revitalize our local economy. Rising Stars, a quarterly event, showcases the entrepreneurs who are building Rochester’s emerging technology companies. It offers an opportunity to hear their personal stories and meet the individuals behind Rochester’s “rising stars.”

Each year, the Rochester Business Journal recognizes successful professionals under the age of 40 who, in addition to their career achievements, have also made significant contributions to the community. Two of the youngest recipients of the award come from the local tech world, and we're pleased to have them join us as part of Digital Rochester's Rising Stars series. Meet 2004 honoree, David Koretz, President & CEO of BlueTie, Inc. and previous award winner, Steve Sauer, President of Business Methods.

While their stories are quite different, both Steve and David have achieved remarkable business success. In 2001, Steve Sauer and his business partners, Tim O'Neil and John Jabbour, purchased Business Methods. Formerly Rochester Stationery, a market leader in office supplies, furniture, and equipment, Business Methods was already a successful entity when Steve and his team came into the picture. Among their initiatives was the launch of the AV Solutions division, the regional leader in integrated audio-visual systems. The company grew rapidly under Steve's leadership and in 2004, he and his partners made a decision to further expand the business by selling the company to Toshiba Business Solutions while agreeing to stay on as the company's leadership team.

Daivd Koretz is a serial entrepreneur, having already started three companies by age 19. Today he’s at the helm of his most successful venture, BlueTie, Inc, which has earned him significant national exposure in magazines as notable as Inc. and Forbes. Learn first hand what it takes to turn a concept into reality in today’s tech world. David and Steve will share their war stories, lessons learned and the business guidelines they use to steer a company in aggressive growth mode.

[Register below]

SPEAKERS:

• David Koretz, President and CEO, BlueTie, Inc.
• Steven B. Sauer, President, Business Methods

AGENDA:

7:30-8:00 am	Refreshments and Networking
8:00-9:00 am	Presentations and Q&A
9:00-9:30 am	Networking

SPONSORS:

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

David Koretz

David Koretz founded BlueTie in March 1999. As its President and CEO, Mr. Koretz leads the Company’s vision, strategy, product development and continued growth. Under his leadership, BlueTie has received many prestigious awards, including being named a Forbes Magazine “Best of the Web” company three years in a row, one of the top 4 websites in the world for small businesses. Mr. Koretz' strategy and vision have also led the company to listing in William Blair’s B2B book of the top privately held companies in the US, selection for the Hewlett Packard Garage Program, and receipt of the prestigious Hewlett Packard Success Story award.

Prior to founding BlueTie, he served as CEO of several companies, including Network Marketing International, which during his tenure became the world’s first Internet-based sales lead company. Mr. Koretz has been featured in hundreds of television, radio, and print features highlighting his successes and entrepreneurial spirit. Mr. Koretz is also the author of several patents in the area of email messaging and collaborative technology. A native of Rochester, N.Y., Mr. Koretz currently serves on the board of directors of VerantID, he is Chairman of the University of Rochester Medical Center Venture Development Board, and a member of the Nazareth College Entrepreneurial Partnership Board.

Steven B. Sauer

Steve Sauer joined Business Methods in 1995 and under his leadership the company has experienced profitability growth of over 500% and revenues have more than doubled.

Steve previously served as second vice president at Chase Manhattan Bank and assistant vice president at Fleet Bank. With a strong commitment to the community, Mr. Sauer serves as Chairman of the Board for Unity Health Foundation, board member of SUNY Geneseo College, board member of the Entrepreneurial Partnership for Nazareth College, board member of the Seneca Park Zoo Society, Past President of the Mental Health Association, and sits on the board of Canfield and Tack, an employee-owned company. He has also served as Co-Chairman of the Unity Health Golf Tournament, as President of the Mental Health Association, and is co-founder of the MHA Skyway Open.

Among the youngest recipients of the Rochester Business Journal's "40 under 40" award, Steve was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Mental Health Association. A 2001 Finalist for Rochester's Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Person of the Year, Mr. Sauer was awarded Small Business Person of the Year in 2002. Sauer was also awarded Upstate NY Finalist for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2003.

Steve has an MBA in International Business from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a BS in Business Administration from the State University of New York College at Geneseo. Sauer is a 2003 graduate of Harvard Business School's Executive Education Program, which is specifically tailored to CEO's of middle market growth companies.