Michael Byrne
Michael Byrne, CEO of Emphasys Software
Michael Byrne has been Chief Executive Officer, Emphasys Computer Solutions Inc. since August 2003. Mr. Byrne joined Emphasys in March 2002 as Vice President of Operations. Mr. Byrne served as a Director at Trapeze Operating Group, where he was in charge of product management and professional services. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University.
Emphasys Software provides an array of software solutions and related services to thousands of entities in the public and private sectors, including affordable housing agencies, local municipalities, real estate brokers and agents and financial lenders.
From its beginnings over 35 years ago, Emphasys has grown to encompass four divisions – Public Housing, Housing Finance, Treasury & Debt Management and Real Estate – with offices in California, Michigan, Florida and Ontario.
Mark Arnold
Mark Arnold, Director of Business Development, Stansberry Research
Immediate Past Chair, EDC Executive Committee
Mark Arnold is a corporate transactional attorney primarily focused on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions, and general corporate matters. He has experience in securities issues and other corporate finance transactions representing both public and private companies in domestic and international matters.
Mr. Arnold is currently Director of Business Development at Stansberry Research, an independent investment research firm, with subscribers in more than 100 different countries.
Mr. Arnold has been actively involved in bar associations at the national, state and local levels. At the national level, he served as District Representative for the State of Florida to the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. At the state level, he is a former member of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and has served as the Vice Chairman of the Student Education and Admissions to the Bar Committee for The Florida Bar. Mr. Arnold is also a member of the Corporations, Securities and Financial Services Committee of The Florida Bar and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Dade County Young Lawyers Section and its executive committee.
Mr. Arnold graduated Cum Laude from Duke University with an A.B. in Public Policy Studies in 1994. He also obtained his JD, with honors, and an MBA from the University of Florida in 1998.
Howard Gitten
Howard Gitten, Counsel at Edwards Wildman Palmer LP
Chair, EDC Executive Committee
Having worked both in-house at a cutting edge photonics company, and in private practice, Howard brings a unique perspective to technology law. He brings a business perspective to technology issues and his technology background to business issues. As a registered patent attorney, Howard knows how best to protect a client’s unique assets, make them marketable and use intellectual property for competitive advantage. Howard has advised his clients in instituting cradle-to-grave IP regimes, to licensing IP and building joint development programs around a client’s IP.
Howard’s clients have ranged from basement tinkerers to privately held start-ups to Fortune 100 companies throughout the world. He counsels across a range of technologies including cloud computing, lasers, fiber optics, nanotechnology including MEMS devices and manufacture thereof, toys, RF identification devices, laboratory support equipment, catheters and other medical devices, and computer software and hardware, including printer architectures, computer hibernation protocols, encryption techniques, and optical scanning and displays. In addition to protecting technology, Howard advises his clients when navigating the treacherous waters of other’s property rights through the conducting of patent and trademark validity and infringement investigations.
Howard is certified by The Florida Bar as a specialist in Intellectual Property Law. This certification is the first in Intellectual Property Law in the United States. He is a member of the first class of Board Certified Intellectual Property Attorneys in Florida.
Rob Strandberg
President & CEO
Rob Strandberg is the president and chief executive officer of Enterprise Development Corporation of South Florida. In his leadership role, he oversees EDC’s business mentor/protégé program, various business incubators, conferences, fundraising, administration of the New World Angels, and EDC’s general direction and vision.
Rob has been at the leadership helm of numerous successful technology companies, including: Orlando-based Xytrans Inc.; PSC Inc.; DATAMAX, Inc.; Sawtek/Triquint; Merix/Via Systems; and Quipp/ITW.
Rob brings extensive management experience to EDC in all aspects of growing technology enterprises, including strategic planning in competitive technology markets, financing and operations and building development teams.
Rob received a BS in engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard University.
