Peter is the owner of Simple Business Technology, a company that helps small and medium sized businesses increase revenue and cut costs by providing strategic business guidance on the use of technology across all business functions, not just IT. Peter has been involved in the business of business strategy, marketing and technology for over five years, in a variety of capacities. He has been a marketing and business technology strategist for both large and small companies and at marketing agencies.

Peter was Director of Marketing for a software development firm, Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Technology for a full service marketing agency and an Internet Business Strategist for the largest web design and development firm in upstate New York. In addition, Peter has worked as an independent consultant with a number of companies on strategic business planning, market development and technical project management.

Peter holds a Masters in Business Administration, with Concentrations in Finance and eBusiness from Virginia Tech and a Bachelors in Business Administration from State University of New York College at Oswego. Peter also spent eight years in the U.S. Coast Guard and was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant.

Community Activities-- Peter serves on the following boards and committees:

Rochester Young Professionals-- Leader Team Member and Creator and Organizer - Annual Rochester "Retain the Brains" Marketing Plan Competition. The competition is among local college students and their marketing plans must market the greater Rochester area and the target population must be 21-31 year old men and women. The end result will be a message by people for the people - thus "retaining the brains".

Science Linkages in the Community - Marketing Committee Chair. SLIC is bridging the digital divide in urban Rochester through the use of technology, science and math.

Micrecycle - Marketing Committee Chair. Micrecycle received computers that have outlived their useful corporate life and refurbishes them and puts them back into service in low income education situations.

Lifespan, Social Entrepreneuring committee member. Peter participates as part of a collection of business leaders developing revenue-generating strategies for traditionally no-cost programs. The income ensures continuity of life critical services to the increasingly aging population.

E-mail Peter here.

Julie is an IT Consultant, providing usability analysis, branding strategy, requirements gathering, technical documentation, training, and testing services for Fortune 500 clients. She has worked on projects in a wide range of industries for brands such as IBM, Kodak, Xerox, Johnson & Johnson, Constellation Brands, Wegmans, and Chubb Insurance, as well as non-profit organizations such as Howard University, the Mitchell Kapor Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Julie earned her Bachelors from Syracuse University in 1997 and her Masters from Harvard University in 1998. After relocating to Philadelphia, Washington DC, Syracuse, and Boston for her career and taking an extended leave to travel Australia, she returned to the Rochester area in 2002.

A Rochester native and enthusiast, Julie is extremely active in the community and passionate about promoting all that the area has to offer. She has earned the nickname 'Miss Rochester' for her ability to keep tabs on what's happening in town and writes the annual ROC101 guide for the Rochester Insider.

Julie was instrumental in the growth of The City Walk, a social networking organization that aims to energize the city life of Rochester through their monthly walk event showcasing nightlife opportunities and supporting local businesses. As the Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Julie organized events and managed media and member communications, doubling group membership and tripling attendance at events during her tenure. She also managed the annual wine tour fundraiser to the Finger Lakes wine region.

Julie currently serves as the Vice President of Information Systems for the Harvard-Radcliffe Alumni Club of Rochester, chair of the Young Ivies of Rochester, and Vice President of the Syracuse University Alumni Club of Rochester. She is an active member of Digital Rochester, the Association for Women in Computing, the Landmark Society of Western NY, the Eastman Young Professionals, and the Rochester chapter of Women for Winesense. She is also a student of the Garth Fagan School of Dance.

Julie's interests include travel, wine appreciation, architecture, art, photography, interior design, urban renewal, art cinema, theater, dance, Polish culture, getaways to Martha's Vineyard, and exploring the great outdoors.

E-mail Julie here.

Having lived in Rochester nearly all of his life, Christopher is a 1997 graduate of the University of Rochester, majoring in Philosophy and Political Science. Christopher also completed his MBA at the Simon School of Business in 1999, concentrating in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

Christopher's interests include WaveRunning and watersports, flying, classic cars, photography, and exploring the great outdoors. For years, Christopher has seen his friends, classmates and colleagues leave Rochester for cities like Boston or New York City. Having identified a means to assemble talented individuals who seek meaningful personal connections and professional success in greater Rochester, Christopher expects the Rochester Young Professionals to be an ever-growing fixture in our community.

E-mail Christopher here. For immediate questions, please feel free to contact Christopher at (585) 234-3524.

Matt Gaston has been a member and Director of Special Events of RYP for the the past 3 years. In that time he has created various events networking and social events for young professionals of all types. Most namely, RYP’s Casual Conversations, a monthly networking event and the Coffee Crawl, a social event centered around Rochester’s local coffee houses.

Matt is Creative Director for a local freelance Creative Design Group, Wave Design. Specializing in Creative content for all types of Marketing and technical Business and research needs. He has also been involved with various volunteering groups in the past and enjoys helping others in any way that he can.

You can e-mail Matt here.

Maria is in the final stages of completing a doctorate of education with a concentration in health policy. Her research work has involved both local and global educational policy issues. Her dissertation work is an analysis of the law governing the child protective system within Monroe County.

Currently, Maria is also developing a collaborative exchange program in order to bring teachers from Afghanistan to universities in New York State and is in the process of having her work surrounding this project published in international education journals.

During her masters degree in public administration, Maria interned with the United Nations Association-UK in London, England performing research and event coordination activities. Maria's research work involving the AIDS epidemic in Botswana continues to be utilized by the United Nations Association and its affiliate agencies.

Maria also volunteers for numerous agencies within the area including: the Red Cross "meals on wheels" program, Southeast Ecumenical Ministries food cupboard, and Camp Good Days & Special Times.

E-mail Maria here.