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Dana Dowdell is the owner of BOSS Consulting HR, providing full service, virtual human resources services for small businesses. Working in human resources since 2011, Dowdell earned her master's degree in human resources and labor Relations from the University of Rhode Island, as well as her SHRM-CP certification from the Society of Human Resource Management. Having taught at Eastern since 2019, Dowdell seeks to teach students the foundational knowledge of Talent Management and Human Resources. She prides her teachings on using real-world scenarios and case studies, providing students with opportunities for work calling for critical thinking in a dynamic, changing field.
Andy is a 2009 Eastern graduate who opened his first restaurant, Cafemantic, in 2010, setting a new standard for hospitality excellence in the Windham area. His hospitality projects have earned rave reviews, earning fans near and far, including a stellar restaurant review in the New York Times. Andy successfully ran Cafemantic for ten years along with his full-service catering and production company, A Moveable Feast. Through his experiences Andy has been honored with accolades including Connecticut Main Street Center’s Business of the Year and The New Face of Small Business by the Connecticut Small Business Development Center. Most recently, Andy launched Stone Row Kitchen and Bar, the successor restaurant to Cafemantic. In 2021, Andy embarked on his first lodging project and is in the process of converting a historic Victorian in the Willimantic Hill Section. In 2022, Andy will launch a wood-fired pizza concept in the Riverside Drive section of Willimantic. Andy serves on the Board of Directors for Thread City Development, Inc.
Milton graduated from Eastern with degrees in history and social science. After three years as UI/UX Designer (user interface and experience) in innovation and research at United Technologies, he moved to The Hartford in 2018 and is currently the Vice President and Head of Customer Growth. He is co-founder and lead UI Developer for PicSpotr, a web site and mobile app aimed at helping professional photographers organize, promote, and manage their businesses. Milton’s previous professional affiliations also include five years at ESPN and two years at The Travelers. At Eastern Milton was a recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award and he remains actively engaged in various initiatives at the university.
Sarah is an FVP Audit Manager at Berkshire Bank. Sarah served as the Director of Audit & Risk prior to her role as Director of Finance at SI Financial, Inc. before its merger with Berkshire in May 2019. She has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry holding key roles in audit, enterprise risk, and finance. Sarah is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as well as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). She has a Master of Science degree in Accounting & Taxation from the University of Hartford and is an undergraduate alum of Eastern Connecticut State University where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Sarah currently serves on the Board of Directors of the ECSU Foundation. Formerly, Sarah has served for 7 years as Vice Chairperson of the City of Norwich Personnel & Pension Board and 2 years on the City of Norwich Ethics Review Committee. Sarah is a proud veteran having served in the United States Coast Guard.
Melissa Meyers is the Chief Executive Officer at Generations Family Health Center, Inc., a community health organization with multiple facilities across Eastern CT. She has worked at the organization for more than 28 years, and volunteers for or is on the Board of Directors of several local civic or non-profit organizations in the area. Melissa is an alumna of Eastern, having graduated in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She holds a master’s degree in Health Administration from A.T. Still University. Melissa has been a visiting lecturer at Eastern, teaching in the business administration program with a particular focus on healthcare law and ethics, and continues to collaborate with faculty and students on many different initiatives to further the advancement of the Business Department and ECSU as a whole.
A veteran of Minor League Baseball with over 23 years of experience, Tim Restall serves as President of the Hartford Yard Goats. Tim started in Minor League Baseball working for the Single A West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers) of the Midwest League as the Food and Beverage Manager from 2000-2003. He also oversaw the food service operation at a half-mile racetrack called Berlin (MI) Raceway. Prior to joining the Yard Goats, Tim worked for the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays). Tim was a founding member of the front office staff for the Fisher Cats during the 2004 Inaugural Season, serving as the Director of Food and Beverage at Gill Stadium. In 2005, Restall became the General Manager for Centerplate, a position he held through the 2007 season. In 2008, Restall became the Vice President of Business Operations for the Fisher Cats. Tim was a proud member of the 2009 Fisher Cats Front Office that was awarded the prestigious 2009 Double A Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America, recognizing the club for achieving long-term success in Minor League Baseball. Tim serves on the board of directors for the Southern and Western New England American Cancer Society, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, and YMCA of Greater Hartford. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Miracle League of Connecticut, Board of Corporators on the IQuilt Plan, and RBI Committee for the Hartford RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities) program.
Nicolai Soendergaard is an alum of Eastern. Post-graduation Nicolai continued his professional journey into the industry of retailer media networks/digital marketing and the world of overall eCommerce, an industry that has seen tremendous growth coming off the COVID pandemic. As Nicolai built his professional acumen in the eCommerce and digital marketing space, he has been fortunate to elevate his career rather quickly through educating and driving organizational buy in particularly in large Fortune 500 organizations (e.g., Kellogg, Newell Brands) & private held top organizations (Bain & Company – LEGO Systems Inc.) in helping them understand the value of the online and ultimately Omni world while building strategies and roadmaps towards unlocking it. Nicolai enjoys the educating component in his role and hopes to share his experiences in some form of part time teaching & educating at a higher level as he continues in the corporate world.
Brian's passion for sustainable, efficient development and green job creation guides his vision for the future of real estate finance. He founded Emerald Consulting in 2016 after building and managing innovative multifamily housing, solar, and energy efficiency loan portfolios with one of Connecticut's largest Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). He currently serves as an expert consultant to the US Department of Energy's Solar in Your Community program. Brian graduated summa cum laude from Eastern with majors in Mathematics and Mathematical Economics before earning his law degree from the University of Virginia. He is admitted to the Connecticut Bar.