Meet the East Central judges

Abdul Akel
Co-founder and CEO
T-CETRA
2022 award winner

Abdul Akel cofounded T-CETRA in 2007 and has grown it to a half-billion-dollar financial technology solutions enabler that employs approximately 175 team members hailing from 30 countries and speaking 20 different languages. T-CETRA is the leading payment solutions for the prepaid wireless industry and supports a network of 10,000 retailers. 

Fifteen years ago, Abdul set out to improve the quality of life for the underbanked by creating a world of digital and financial inclusion. Abdul witnessed a widening digital divide — the fissure between the digital “haves” and “have nots,” a large percentage of whom are the underbanked. The have nots lack access to basic products and services that their banked peers take for granted. Today, there are 84.8 million underbanked in the US, approximately 25% of the population. Abdul continually seeks opportunities to overcome the obstacles they encounter every day due to their income level or place of residence.

He accomplished this through conceptualizing VIDAPAY, a proprietary cash-to-cashless payment solution. VIDAPAY accepts and applies cash payments for products and services, in real time, in person and without fees to the end consumer. The net result of these transactions is the financial enablement of the underbanked, providing them with access to new products and services and a toolset to effectively manage their financial wellbeing and improve their quality of life.

Abdul was an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 East Central Award winner, a 2022 national finalist, and was inducted into Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40 and Columbus CEO’s Future 50 Class of 2022. But it’s his tenacity in spirit to do the right thing that has set him apart from the crowd. In a rapidly evolving payments landscape, the underbanked are often forgotten or targeted for predatory lending. It’s technology stewards like Abdul who won’t let this happen. Simply put, his mission is to “make the underserved the better served.”

Company description
T-CETRA is a leading financial technology enabler that converts cash payments into secure, auditable, cashless transactions at over 10,000 independent retailers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that primarily serve underbanked customers. Our payment solutions bridge the digital divide for these underserved communities and are used by Fortune 500 companies within various sectors, connecting them to the 84.8 million underbanked individuals in the U.S via an independent retail network.  Back to top

Michael Annichine
CEO, Magee-Women's Research
Institute and Foundation

Michael Annichine is the CEO of Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation (MWRIF), leading the development to sustain research and programs at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and the Magee-Womens Research Institute, the largest research institute in the US focused solely on women’s health and reproductive biology. 

The research institute — based in Pittsburgh and with collaborations around the world — is home to hundreds of world-class researchers who have devoted their careers to advancing the health of women. Its medical research spans a woman’s lifetime, from nine months to over 90 years, and its focus is to improve women’s lives by learning more about the various conditions and diseases from which they suffer.

Under Michael’s leadership, MWRIF has expanded its partnerships with industry, academia and foundations, and has significantly grown its revenue base while capitalizing on the translational impact of its scientific investment.

Michael is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years’ experience starting, developing and leading local and national businesses across a variety of growth industries. Prior to his current position, Michael held the chief executive roles in C-leveled, FlyerCity Media and CFS Home Loans, Inc., where his companies were twice named to the Inc. 1000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America list. A Carnegie Mellon University alumni and former Director of Investment Programs at the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, he has measurably impacted the Pittsburgh startup ecosystem and built strong connections within the business, private equity and venture capital communities.

Company description
Today, Magee-Womens Research Institute is solving real-world problems and impacting lives — in the fields of cancer, heart disease, fertility, HIV, Alzheimer’s and more. Back to top

Maria Bennett
Founder, President and CEO, SPR Therapeutics, Inc.
2021 award winner

Maria Bennett has been the President and CEO of SPR Therapeutics since she founded the company 13 years ago. Using her years of experience in the MedTech industry, Maria identified an unmet market need for a non-opioid, nonsurgical pain treatment to improve the lives of millions of pain sufferers. The idea for this new treatment originated during her biomedical engineering graduate studies at Case Western Reserve University, where she developed a peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) system to treat pain and also led R&D at an early stage neurostim company.

During this experience, Maria discovered her passion for working with patients and physicians and witnessing life-changing results. She also learned the challenges of growing and sustaining an entrepreneurial company. From there, Maria was recruited to lead a team at Boston Scientific to conduct a large clinical trial, which demonstrated the safety and efficacy of an innovative angioplasty balloon and achieved FDA approval. While it was a great experience to work for a large MedTech company, when a former colleague presented the opportunity to join a new startup company, she couldn’t resist and returned to Cleveland to serve as Vice President of Clinical at NDI Medical. At NDI, she played a vital role in the development of a neurostim system addressing urinary incontinence, which was acquired by Medtronic in 2008. After the sale of NDI, Maria revisited her idea of a novel pain relief therapy, validated there was an unmet market need and founded SPR Therapeutics to commercialize its SPRINT® PNS System. She is the inventor of SPRINT, having multiple patents issued.

She earned her BS in Engineering Management from Miami University and earned her MS in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Maria gives back to her community through volunteering and is a retired vice president of her district’s school board. She is a past Entrepreneur Of The Year® East Central Region finalist and winner. Maria is married and the proud mother of two sons.

Company description
SPR Therapeutics is committed to relieving pain and improving the lives of millions of pain sufferers with its FDA approved SPRINT® Peripheral Nerve Stimulation System designed to be an early treatment option without opioids or surgery. Back to top

Stacy Griggs
CEO
El Toro
2016 award winner

Chief Executive Officer of El Toro and Founder of AboutBit. El Toro is innovating AdTech and advanced analytics by using its patented processes to map physical addresses to IP addresses, as well as mapping mobile devices to past locations. By doing this, large brands like Ford, Ashley Furniture and Toyota can hyper-accurately target digital advertisements to consumers or businesses.

In 2017, El Toro was named the 13th fastest-growing tech company in the United States with a three-year growth rate of 12,032%.

Previously, Stacy helped lead three different organizations: MaximumASP, Hosting.com, and Diamond Technologies, which were recognized by Inc. Magazine on the Inc. 500 list as the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States. Stacy and his business partner were selected as the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year for the Ohio Valley program and El Toro was the 12th company in the United States to be selected to participate in Endeavor at the 63rd International Selection Panel in March of 2016. Additionally, Mr. Griggs currently serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Simpsonville Rural Fire District in Shelby County, KY.

Company description
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, El Toro is an AdTech (advertising technology) and advanced analytics company that holds 18 patents on digital advertising and analytics. El Toro has invented better ways to target and measure digital advertising. Back to top

Angela Phillips
CEO
Phillips Tube Group, Inc.
2023 award winner

Angela Phillips is the CEO of Phillips Tube Group, Inc. She brings nearly 30 years of operational and strategic business experience to the precision welded steel tube industry. The daughter of company founder Ralph H. Phillips, she literally “grew up” in the business, gaining a broad-based understanding of manufacturing and has been successfully leading the organization following her father’s passing in 2009.

Ms. Phillips continues this powerful legacy today, growing Phillips Tube Group to even greater heights through acquisitions and other major investments. She has been the recipient of numerous professional awards, including the 2023 Bizwomen Power 50 List: Dayton Business Journal 2023, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year East Central Winner 2023, Induction into the North Central Ohio Industrial Manufacturing Hall of Fame 2023, Economic Impact Award: Richland Area Chamber of Commerce 2022, Ohio’s Top 500 Leaders & Business Executives – Manufacturing, Ohio Business Magazine 2022 Small Business Award, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce 2021 New Investment Award, Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County.

Company description
Phillips Tube Group is the quality leader in the steel tube industry, meeting the requirements of the most demanding OEMs and their suppliers. PTG is recognized as a reliable partner for steel tube in the automotive, HVAC and distribution industries. Back to top

Baiju Shah          
CEO
Greater Cleveland Partnership
2008 award winner

Baiju R. Shah is the President & CEO of Greater Cleveland Partnership, the region’s leading economic development organization and with over 12,000 members, the nation’s largest metropolitan chamber of commerce. Guided by a board of CEOs, GCP focuses on accelerating growth and prosperity through strategic initiatives, business services, real estate development, and advocacy.

Previously, Shah was CEO of BioMotiv and of BioEnterprise, as well as  a Senior Fellow of the Cleveland Foundation. Throughout his career, he has developed strategic alliances with pharmaceutical companies, health institutions, universities, and foundations, and raised significant funds for health ventures. He also served on the Boards of Invacare and Athersys, and as a Senior Advisor of Faster Cures.

Shah began his career at McKinsey and serves on numerous civic boards. He is also recognized as one of Cleveland’s most influential leaders. He received a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA from Yale University.

Company description
Greater Cleveland Partnership is the region’s leading economic development organization and with over 12,000 members, the largest metropolitan chamber of commerce in the nation. Guided by a board of corporate and entrepreneurial CEOs, the organization focuses on strategic initiatives, business services, and advocacy to build a vibrant business environment and region. It includes the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and Cleveland Development Advisors, a real estate development affiliate. GCP is committed to working with private, civic, and public partners to accelerate Greater Cleveland's growth and prosperity towards being one of the Great Regions in the Great Lakes.  Back to top

Jeff Sopp
CEO, Kensington Hill Partners
2004 award winner

Jeff Sopp is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kensington Hill Partners. Kensington Hill Partners specializes in board advisory services, business consulting and equity investments, including leading-edge technology, InsurTech, quick-serve restaurants (QSRs), real estate and other industries throughout the US. Prior to founding Kensington Hill, Jeff was CEO of PRIVIT, which focused on providing secure web-based solutions to help individuals, athletes, organizations and companies collect, transmit and store records for health-related information. 

Prior to joining PRIVIT, Jeff was the CEO of Expesite, an internationally recognized project and program management software company with offices in the US, Canada and Hong Kong. Under Jeff’s leadership, Expesite was named as one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America for six consecutive years (2007–12). Jeff expanded Expesite’s business solutions through acquisitions and partnerships with industry leaders in technology and within the market segments in which Expesite served. Expesite was acquired by a leading Austin-based private equity firm, for which Jeff continues to serve on its Advisory Board. Prior to joining Expesite, Jeff served in executive positions within services industries, including County Savings Bank, Nationwide Insurance, Adecco USA, Inc. and Xerox Corporation. Jeff received the 2021 Smart 50 Business Award for the third time, was a proud recipient of an Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award for “realizing business potential” and a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards. In addition, Expesite’s corporate philanthropy program was awarded the Pillar Award presented by Smart Business Magazine and the Corporate Caring Award presented by Columbus Business First. Jeff is also a past Chairman of the Board of the Central Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Company description
Our team of entrepreneurial professionals and business experts has over three decades of experience in helping small, medium and Fortune 500 companies grow. From advising on all facets of the executive scope to infusing new ideas to strengthen and improve performance — Kensington Hill Partners is committed to transforming organizations for optimal growth and success, strengthening communities, and supporting one another. We believe in providing only the highest level of integrity, while also providing world-class expertise to create and achieve the greatest level of client satisfaction and value.  Back to top