JUDGE'S BIOGRAPHIES

Daniel B. Auker 
Daniel Auker is President and Partner in International Management Assistance Corporation (IMAC), a crisis response company. Mr. Auker grew the crisis company from $1 Million to $40 Million in annual revenues. IMAC provides critical support services, to include specialty security services to companies experiencing strikes or other forms of business interruptions. He and his staff have provided security consulting and risk assessment services to fortune 1000 companies throughout the United States. IMAC is an owner member of the TransNational Security Group, a Strategic Partnership of seven of the largest regional security companies in the country.

Mr. Auker has been a 27-year member of the Ohio Association of Security and Investigative Services and served as its President and Chairman of the Board. In this capacity, Mr. Auker worked with state and national legislators to craft legislation to regulate the security industry and establish training and certification requirements for security officers within the state of Ohio and the nation. The Governor of Ohio appointed Mr. Auker head of the Security Officer Training Committee where he participated in crafting the state certified Private Security Officer Training Course.

Mr. Auker also served in numerous positions (e.g., branch manager to Vice President) for Allied Security Corporation, one of the nations largest contract security companies.  During his tenure, he assisted in the growth of the company from $12 Million to $140 Million. Mr. Auker managed all aspects of contract security operations in nine branch offices throughout the Mid-West. His responsibilities included negotiating contracts, developing training programs and procedures, investigating and mitigating claims against the company and it’s employees, and ensuring the delivery of quality customer service to all customers. Mr. Auker is chairman of the Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board and is a graduate of The University of Akron. 

Thomas E. Costigan
Tom Costigan is a graduate of The University of Akron, BSBA in 1969, MBA in 1971. After holding a number of diverse positions in a variety of industries for nearly 30 years,  Mr. Costigan created his own organization, The Summit Financial Services Group. Summit Financial Services Group serviced both individuals and corporations in the securities and financial services area. Tom recently sold his business to a large regional public accounting firm.

Tom has also been part of The University of Akron’s faculty for 24 years, the last 6 of which have been on a full time basis. He has taught a number of different subjects in a variety of Departments including the Entrepreneurship program. He currently teaches Corporate Finance and Advanced Corporate Finance He is an active leader on the Board of the Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

William J. Laux
Mr. William Laux is President of Laux & Company, an Investment Banking firm and Laux Capital, a Private Investment firm.  His career spans thirty plus years with diverse experience in the areas of corporate finance, investment banking and commercial lending.  Mr. Laux’s client specialization includes the steel, foundry, manufacturing and financial services industries.

Prior to forming Laux & Company and Laux Capital, Mr. Laux was Director of Corporate Finance for Price Waterhouse, where he managed and completed corporate finance and investment banking engagements.  Prior to working for Price Waterhouse, Mr. Laux held the position of Division Director for Chrysler Capital, where he was responsible for specialty and direct finance lending over a 13-state region.  Earlier in his career he was the Regional manager of Heller Financial, responsible for structuring and placement of senior and mezzanine financing for mergers and acquisition transactions. Mr. Laux holds a degree in Accounting from Cleveland State University.

Kathy Reid

Kathy earned numerous awards: the Martha Holden Jennings Scholar Award for outstanding teaching in the education profession; Prudential Referral Services Award “Broker of the Year No. 1 in North America” for her relocation mentoring and professional contribution to the relocation industry; Prudential Legend Award for Consistent Performance; Ohio Association of Realtors Pinnacle Award for residential sales; Working Women Magazine and Bank One for Entrepreneurial Excellence; and the Ohio Department of Development. Kathy was also featured in Northern Ohio Live “Women Source – Professional Showcase.” This past year Kathy and her team received their “Best in Client Satisfaction” representing the Top 1% of all Realtors. 

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates believe that Prudential Kathy Reid Realty also has excellent business practices.  The office received the rare “Cornerstone Award” based on: (1) profitability, (2) good business practices, (3) community involvement, and (4) outstanding customer service.  The “Business Development Award” was also granted for achievements in operational excellence and exemplary performance in a number of key business areas including business practices, quality standards, expense control, revenue and profit objectives, sales management and productivity.

Prudential Kathy Reid Realty welcomes students from many high schools and colleges, providing a mentoring and internship program. On a national level, the company has been an active partner and event sponsor for the “Make A Wish” Foundation and “Sunshine Kids” for children with terminal illnesses. Together with a Dynamic team of Sales and Administrative Professionals – Prudential Kathy Reid Realty, “The Northeast Ohio Connection” provides a full real estate service to eight Northeast Ohio Counties with Global Connections.  Honesty, integrity and the most personal, ethical service is the foundation for the creed “Excellence by Choice.”

Don Pavlik
Mr. Donald J. Pavlik is Vice President of National City Bank Corporate Lending Northeast.  Mr. Pavlik has been with National City Bank for the past five years, serving the last four at his current capacity.  Mr. Pavlik has successfully lent money to existing start up businesses throughout Northeast Ohio.  His main responsibilities at National City include new loan generation, management of a $200+ million portfolio, and client retention. 

Mr. Pavlik is a 2000 graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Corporate Finance and Financial Services.  Mr. Pavlik has experience in the entrepreneurial field, as he previously owned three successful service businesses, which were started de novo and sold.   He currently serves as a Partner/CFO in a private investment company, which was started by himself and three other individuals. 

Mr. Pavlik graciously serves on five boards: Area Agency on Aging Foundation Board, Weaver Industries, Downtown Akron Kiwanis Club, Engineered Glass, Inc., and the Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.  He has also been activity in other Akron non-profit organizations such as Young Professional of Akron, Torchbearers, and Easter Seals of Northeast Ohio.  Mr. Pavlik currently resides in Tallmadge, Ohio with his wife Jodi.