ETC Academy
                 "Where You Learn to Start
              and Grow Your Tech Business"
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Welcome to ETC Academy!

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The goal of ETC Academy is to make Elgin, Illinois the  Best Place in America for Start-Up Tech Companies. To achieve this goal, we founded the ETC Academy and designed a very unique fast-track program for Tech Entrepreneurs. In this 10-class program, there are no written exams. Instead, you build your company piece-by-piece in our classroom with help and sound input of your instructor and classmates. By the time you graduate, you will own and run a successful tech company.  As a graduate you become a Certified Technology Executive (CTE) - a diploma issued exclusively by the ETC Academy.

During your study, you work amongst established tech entrepreneurs in the Elgin Tower Building and down-town Elgin. You have great access to ETC's social and business network which is extremely valuable to any entrepreneur. You'll appreciate working in a tech environment that is filled with energy, creativity and new innovation. Our training facility is a historic landmark from 1929 and our down-town environment is filled with exciting history.


Lasse Ingebretsen
Executive Director

Our Training
Each class we offer is five (5) weeks long consisting of a 1 1/2 hour session twice a week. Each class is taught by a professional and business owner that knows what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. The cost of each class is $990. Where can you find a hands-on fast-track program that will help you launch a successful tech company for $9,900 - only in Elgin, Illinois! Fast-Track candidates must interview to be accepted into the program. Existing tech entrepreneurs may pick any class and do not need instructor approval. Click Here To Register for a Class



Our Instructors 
ETC-610.  Tech Business Law
Start Date: Wednesday
Class Time: 1-4pm

Business Law Syllabus
File Size: 210 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Traci D. Ellis 

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Author, speaker, business coach, practicing attorney, and passionate promoter of entrepreneurs, Traci Ellis is not your typical business lawyer.  Known for telling it like it is, she likes to “keep it real” with new business owners while sharing practical wisdom and refreshing insight on legal and business issues related to starting, running and growing small businesses. 

Whether you are thinking about starting a business or have already stepped into the exciting world of entrepreneurship, Traci brings her twenty years of practicing law and “baptism by fire” entrepreneurship experience to teach, humor, and challenge you, but most importantly to help you be a better business owner.
ETC-620.  Tech Research
Start Date: TBD
Class Time: TBD
       
Tech Research Syllabus
File Size: 179 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Trish Glees

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Author, instructor, tech professional and business owner with 18 years experience. Trish Glees started in the IT field as break/fix technician working her way up the ranks to the C-Suite.  Trish Glees’ on-the-ground training and certifications make her a value-added business partner providing you with the perfect fit IT solution.  

Trish Glees started in the IT field after college and stint in the US Navy. Her first of 22 certification was for A+ hardware/software.  Since then her knowledge has expanded to project management, systems engineering and design, systems auditing, security management and design, system architecture, web site development, disaster recovery solutions and network architecture and design.

Trish Glees is the proud owner of T. G. Consultants – Professional IT Solutions, which creates IT solutions for commerical and residential clients.  Her mantra is “We are your ‘LOCAL’ -sourced IT company".  Trish Glees will become your vested business resource helping you to succeed in your marketplace.
ETC-630.  Tech Marketing
Start Date: TBD
Class Time: TBD

Tech Marketing Syllabus
File Size: 261 kb
File Type: pdf
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Ellen Huxtable

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Ellen Huxtable, the owner of Advantage Business Concepts, helps clients develop systems and strategies to deliver a “Wow!” customer experience. Ellen is an experienced front-line manager who focuses on practical solutions to business problems.  She has served on the advisory boards and taught marketing and business startup classes for several Small Business Development Centers, and has been a presenter at numerous local, regional and national business management events.

Her upcoming book, “Turbo-charge and Transform!” translates this content into a series of self-directed exercises promoting business innovation and transformation.  She serves on the Community Advisory Board for the Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Western Region Board for Junior Achievement. Ellen is a graduate of the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.
ETC-640.  Social Media Marketing for Tech Start-Up’s 
Start Date: TBD
Class Time: TBD

Social Media Marketing Syllabus
File Size: 41 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Brian Basilico

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Brian  Basilico is a nationally recognized author and speaker. He’s the founder and president of B2b Interactive Marketing Inc., an award winning marketing consulting and production company in Aurora Illinois. B2b helps companies and non-profits, market their products and services through the effective use of on-line tools including; websites, blogs, eMail, social networking, Google, S.E.O., YouTube, and more.  

Brian’s career spans over 30 years. Since his first production company in 1979, he’s produced thousands of projects for hundreds of companies, ranging from  
solopreneur to Fortune 100. Brian combines years of marketing experience, with technical expertise, to build on-line campaigns that continue to produce  measurable results.  As a musician, technician, programmer, producer and consultant, he has built a reputation for creativity, innovation, and  translating “geek”into english. Brian is also an adjunct professor, trainer, speaker and author of many marketing and social networking blogs and articles.
ETC-650.  Web Development
Start Date: TBD
Class Time: TBD   

Web Development Syllabus
File Size: 179 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Trish Glees

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Author, instructor, tech professional and business owner with 18 years experience. Trish Glees started in the IT field as break/fix technician working her way up the ranks to the C-Suite. Trish Glees’ on-the-ground training and certifications make her a value-added business partner providing you with the perfect fit IT solution.

Trish Glees started in the IT field after college and stint in the US Navy. Her first of 22 certification was for A+ hardware/software. Since then her knowledge has expanded to project management, systems engineering and design, systems auditing, security management and design, system architecture, web site development, disaster recovery solutions and network architecture and design.

Trish Glees is the proud owner of T. G. Consultants – Professional IT Solutions, which creates IT solutions for commerical and residential clients. Her mantra is “We are your ‘LOCAL’ -sourced IT company". Trish Glees will become your vested business resource helping you to succeed in your marketplace.

 
ETC-660.  Finance for Tech Start-Ups
Start Date: TBD
Class Time: TBD 
 
Finance for Tech Start-ups Syllabus
File Size: 274 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Tony Langford

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Mr. Langford is President of The Langford  Group, Inc., a professional services firm providing financial accounting, tax,  CFO and business management services to small and middle market public and private companies. He also serves as Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of First Colombia Gold Corporation.  He
previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Home School Holdings, Inc.,
from May 2009 to June 2010.  

Mr. Langford was a Technical Consultant with Spherion Corporation from January 2007 through August 2008 and was assigned to projects within the global information technology organization of an insurance-based financial services provider which is based in the EU. Prior to that, he held the position of Director of Information Technology with Siemens Medical Solutions, USA from July 2001 through October 2006. He also held positions within the corporate accounting department at ADP Dealer Services Division and was an auditor for the public accounting firm of Altschuler, Melvoin & Glasser.

Mr. Langford is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS).  
ETC-670.  Tech Product Pricing     
Start Date: TBD
Class Time: TBD
    
Product Pricing Syllabus Part A
File Size: 278 kb
File Type: pdf
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Product Pricing Syllabus Part B
File Size: 277 kb
File Type: pdf
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Dominic Sorresso

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Dominic Sorresso (www.linkedin.com/in/djsorresso) is the owner and principal of Windy City Coaching, Ltd. Dominic mentors business owners to achieve greater profitability, productivity and efficiency in all stages of the enterprise life cycle. As an ETC Academy instructor, he works with IT entrepreneurs at the Elgin Technology Center. He provides pro-bono coaching and mentoring for the Great Lakes Entrepreneur Quest (www.gleq.org) and serves as a business plan reviewer for the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition (www.acceleratemichigan.org/). With broad based general management/marketing experience in automotive, information technology, insurance, and process outsourcing sectors. With experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments, Dominic possesses a unique ability to implement best practices. Mr. Sorresso is a graduate of the work–study program at Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute) and received a Masters Degree in Marketing from Rawls School of Business at Texas Tech University. Dominic has been a resident of Bartlett for over 27 years where he and his wife Linda have raised two successful adults, Alyssa and Damien.
ETC-680.  Tech Sales Management  
Start Date: TBD
Class Time: TBD

Tech Sales Syllabus Part A
File Size: 277 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Tech Sales Syllabus Part B
File Size: 266 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Dominic Sorresso

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Dominic Sorresso (www.linkedin.com/in/djsorresso) is the owner and principal of Windy City Coaching, Ltd. Dominic mentors business owners to achieve greater profitability, productivity and efficiency in all stages of the enterprise life cycle. As an ETC Academy instructor, he works with IT entrepreneurs at the Elgin Technology Center. He provides pro-bono coaching and mentoring for the Great Lakes Entrepreneur Quest (www.gleq.org) and serves as a business plan reviewer for the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition (www.acceleratemichigan.org/). With broad based general management/marketing experience in automotive, information technology, insurance, and process outsourcing sectors. With experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments, Dominic possesses a unique ability to implement best practices. Mr. Sorresso is a graduate of the work–study program at Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute) and received a Masters Degree in Marketing from Rawls School of Business at Texas Tech University. Dominic has been a resident of Bartlett for over 27 years where he and his wife Linda have raised two successful adults, Alyssa and Damien.
ETC-690.  Start-Up Flow Managment
Start Date: TBD
Class Time: TBD

Start Up Flow Syllabus
File Size: 273 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Aaron Sellers

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Founder and President of Comprehensive Training Solutions, has over twenty five years of experience in education and training. Aaron has personally trained hundreds of clients in leadership, management, sales and professional skills in a variety of industries.

 Aaron  has a degree in education from The University of Michigan and is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Judson  University.


 
ETC-700.  Tech Business Communication
Start Date: Monday and Wednesday
Class Time: 7-8:30pm

Mike Murschel

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Mike’s work revolves around the continuum of communications, ranging from writing and speaking, to the visual arts; presentation skills; personal and organizational image and transformation; and the interplay of culture, community, symbolism, and spirituality in the translation and interpretation of messages across multiple   platforms and venues. 

The author of some 2,100 articles for national, regional, and local publications, he also ghostwrites speeches, columns, and white papers; website continuity; scripts for radio and film; and grants. He has served as adjunct instructor for the Graduate Writing Program at National LouisUniversity, in the Learning for Life program at Elgin Community College, and has led training sessions in organizational venues.

His company, Breakthrough  Specialists, provides parallel paths in both expression and empowerment.