On September 15, join us for our September Startup Drinks at the Prairie Den! We’ll have food by Monte’s, a cash bar by Sidestreet, and a handful of Captains that are filled with interesting things to talk about. One of the Captains’ sons recently played golf with Tiger Woods. One has broken a pancake-making world record, one completed the Boston Marathon, and one is the mother of twins.
Another has the nickname “Messy Marvin,” … but his name is not Marvin.
All this and more, with the lovely…the intelligent…the incredible Startup Drinks Captains of September 2015!
Anne Blackhurst: 11th President of Minnesota State University Moorhead
Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?
I don’t have a nickname, but I’ve always wanted one. When you have a one-syllable name, there’s really no need to shorten it, so a nickname never seemed necessary. I’m open to suggestions, though. It’s never too late to have a nickname, in my opinion.
People should ask me about …
My birthplace.
What is one of the most influential books you’ve ever read?
Abundance by Peter H. Diamandis
What’s something you value about your community?
The vibrant downtown in Fargo; the “small town” feel in Moorhead.
What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
I flunked all my classes my first semester in college.
Arday Ardafio: Founder of Blueprint IT Solutions
Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?
Arday is strange enough. doesn’t that already sound like a nickname. Arrrr-Daay
People should ask me about …
Xerox. WiFi. What motivates me.
What is one of the most influential books you’ve ever read?
The Bible. Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty Audiobook | Harvey Mackay. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
What’s something you value about your community?
Friendly and accepting
What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
[Ask him about the pancake story.]
Britni Schwartz: Operations Director at Todaymade
Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it? No nickname!
People should ask me about …
Our company is a custom web product company so any questions about building cloud based software or other web products. I’m also extremely passionate about seeing a thriving downtown in my own community! And I have four month old twin babies… So if you want to know anything about twins I have you covered!
What is one of the most influential books you’ve ever read?
Moby Dick. This is the book that inspired my passion for literature when I was young. It is also is one of the most challenging books I’ve ever read.
What’s something you value about your community?
I love that our community is growing. It’s great to see so many new experiences for everyone to enjoy… But at the end of the day the community is still close knit and if you need something one can easily reach out to their neighbor. It’s a nice balance.
What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
In high school I discovered Shakespeare and asked for the complete works of Shakespeare for Christmas. I still usually read one play ever year around Christmas time. At first it was a goal, now it’s more for nostalgic reasons.
Chuck Hoge: Interim Executive Director of NDSU Research and Technology Park
Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?
No nickname.
People should ask me about …
What can NDSU and the Research Park do for them?
(Editor’s Note: Also, ask him about his golfing son.)
What is one of the most influential books you’ve ever read?
The Bible.
What’s something you value about your community?
Many hard working people that have passion for what they do. The attitude of let’s get something done no matter how difficult or innovative it may be. The desire or many to help their community and those people in the community
What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
All of my ND kids attended college at TCU in Fort Worth Texas. In my spare time, I enjoy cutting grass or at least I like making the lawn look really nice. I also enjoy walking my yellow lab, Pearl.
Corey Kratcha: Co-founder of c2renew
Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?
Depends on who you’re talking to. My parents and grandparents call me “Messy Marvin” because I can’t stay clean when I eat.
People should ask me about …
My kids. I really like to talk about them.
What is one of the most influential books you’ve ever read?
Onward by Howard Schultz. It shows the struggles of a company no matter the size and what tough decisions need to be made to right the ship.
What’s something you value about your community?
Collaboration among different companies.
What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
I don’t even know a fun fact about me! (Editor’s note: We’ll add one. Corey and his co-founder for c2renew Chad Ulven kept being mistaken for twin brothers, and now they coordinate who has a beard and who wears glasses at events so as not to be confused!)
Meet the Captains and more at Startup Drinks. It’ll be at the Prairie Den on Tuesday, September 15 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM! Sign up here so we know you’re coming.
