Dr. Raghu Menon is Head of Onsite Investment & Business Development for the Americas for Linde, the world’s leading industrial gases and technology company which possesses a market value exceeding 40 billion USD and EBITDA exceeding 4.5 billion USD. Dr. Menon has several patents some of which have been successfully commercialized.

He is also a Board Member of the American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association (AFPM/NPRA).

Mr. Thoranath Sukumaran(Suku) has over 30 years of banking experience working in some of the major financial centers like New York, London and Mumbai. Most recently Suku was a Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley in New York. He has also raised sizable funds for Hedge and PE Funds which include investments in Global Real Estate. Most recently, as President of Oakwood Strategy Consulting, he has been focusing on “Middle Market” corporations in their efforts to raise growth capital and globalize operations.

ELAYNE P. McCLAINE BIOGRAPHY, MBA, CGBP REGIONAL DIRECTOR, NJ-SBDC AT RUTGERS NEW BRUNSWICK Ms. Elayne P. McClaine has been with the New Jersey Small Business Development Center since 2005. She delivers workshops and seminars such as Business Planning & Strategic Planning; Global Expansion; Franchising; Marketing and Business Valuation. Ms. McClaine has been involved in building a strong relationship and collaborating with the Center’s host – Rutgers Business School. Ms. McClaine also has extensive experience as a licensed Business Broker organizing the sales, purchase and valuation of small to mid-sized businesses. She is a Contributing Author and Industry Expert for several publications.

Shanel Robinson has 28 years of proven leadership and management experience and 14 years of civic involvement in Franklin Township. She attended Southern University A&M College and went on to serve in the United States Air Force Reserves for 8 years as an Avionics Specialist. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Labor Studies and Employee Relations from Rutgers University. She is currently an Information Technologies Manager for a NJ based Healthcare System for the past 14 years.

Bharath R. Bangalore, a seasoned global executive, brings over 25 years of operational leadership to the table. With a sharp focus on revenue generation, he is deeply committed to cultivating happy customers and employees. His vision is to enhance workplace happiness by eliminating mundane tasks through technology. An automation pioneer, Bharath has successfully implemented efficient systems, including a one-day financial close, liberating teams from routine chores. His endeavors foster engaged, productive employees, translating into superior customer service.

Bharath’s genuine leadership style cultivates partnerships across various sectors, propelling successful Finance, Revenue Management, Marketing, and IT operations. His areas of expertise encompass strategic financial growth, budget management, cost reduction, cash flow optimization, and resource management.