Drouillard has more than 25 years of experience in finance, operations, commercial lending and strategic development in the insurance industry. Previously, she owned her own consulting and professional services company that specialized in structuring capital transactions in the insurance industry and consulted on hundreds of insurance agency acquisitions.

“Providing insurance agency funding is a niche service and there aren’t a lot of professionals who know the business,” commented Rick Dennen, CEO of Oak Street Funding. “Kelly is one of only a few people in the country who truly have expertise and grasp the intricacies of the insurance industry. We look forward to furthering our capabilities to enhance insurance agency value with her on our team.”

A graduate of Kansas State University, Drouillard earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. She holds CPCU and CPA designations and is a licensed property and casualty agent and surplus lines agent in more than 40 states.

About Oak Street Funding
The Carmel, Ind.-based Oak Street Funding (www.oakstreetfunding.com) is a family of diversified financial services companies that offers commission-based commercial financing exclusively for insurance professionals and third-party loan servicing for financial institutions. Oak Street Funding utilizes industry knowledge, proprietary technology and passion to deliver top-quality service and capital products to insurance and finance professionals nationwide.
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Capping off the day’s festivities is keynote speaker Michael Cloran, partner in Developer Town. A serial entrepreneur, Cloran has moved multiple businesses from the startup phase to profitable business ventures.

Featured speakers include:

• Michael Cloran of Developer Town
• James Burnes of Patent Status, Think and Act Like A Lean Startup
• Nick Carter of Address Two, From Bootstrap to Blue Chip
• Matt Hunkler of Verge Indy, Building a Startup Team
• Erik Deckers of Professional Blog Service, No Bullshit Social Media
• Matt Nettleton of Sandler Training and Trustpointe, Business Planning in 5 Simple (not easy) Steps
• Robby Slaughter of Slaughter Development, Do’s and Don’ts to Build Your Business and Transform Your Sales
• Jennifer Foster of Foster Results, Wring Out the Profits
• Jenn Kampmeier of Kampmeier Enterprises, Lessons Learned in Selling a Business

“Starting a business requires a lot of guts and a lot of help,” said Cathy Langlois, executive director of the EAC. “This conference celebrates the courage and skill it takes to start and run a successful business, and hopefully launch some new entrepreneurs on their road to success.”

The Celebration Conference will end with a reception and awards presentation where the winners of the Celebration Award in the emerging, established and mature stages of their businesses will be announced. The winner of the EAC’s 3^rd Annual Business Plan Competition will also be announced.

Early bird tickets are on sale now for $149. After August 31, ticket prices jump to $179. Included in the ticket price is admission to all speakers, lunch, snacks, and drinks, access to small business vendors, a celebration reception and a celebration awards presentation. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit www.goentrepreneurs.org.

About The Entrepreneurship Advancement Center: The Entrepreneurship Advancement Center (EAC) was created in January 2010 to enhance the economic health of the Hamilton County communities by fostering and advancing entrepreneurship interest and success. For more information, visit www.goentrepreneurs.org

“Educating the next generation of great marketers is a critical part of our mission at Roundpeg,” said Lorraine Ball, owner. “Our entire team enjoys shaping these sharp young minds while learning a lot from their enthusiasm and passion.”

Both Willis and Weimer are juniors at Indiana University. Weimer is studying journalism, while Willis is taking classes in sociology and marketing. These students will be crucial parts of the Roundpeg crew during the summer, working on real client projects and getting first-hand experience of what it’s like to work in the crazy, chaotic and fun world of marketing.

About Roundpeg

Roundpeg, an Indianapolis small business marketing firm, is focused on helping small businesses become big businesses through smart, understandable, and strategic marketing. The company offers full-service marketing, including web design, social media, public relations, marketing strategy, and more.

It might not seem surprising that so much of the chassis is made in Indiana. After all, more than 1,600 businesses throughout the Hoosier State support racing in all its many forms. When IndyCar announced its new Dallara DW12 chassis, many assumed the parts for the new design would be made here in Indiana. But that almost didn’t happen, as Dallara turned to its native Italy to source many of the parts for the new chassis.

Luckily for Hoosiers companies, the Indiana Motorsport Association (IMA) stepped in. Working with Indiana’s motorsport manufacturing and fabrication companies, the IMA helped the industry understand how many of the chassis’ complex components could be made in Indiana, and centralizing the manufacturing process here in the motorsports capital of the world.

“Indiana manufacturers have supported motorsports for the past hundred years,” said Tom Weisenbach, executive director of the IMA. “Their knowledge and experience in this arena are unmatched, and we’re glad we could help the industry realize what resources they had at their disposal right here in Indiana.”

One local Dallara Vendor, Indy Composite Works, reports a 12 percent increase in parts orders from Dallara since the new chassis began production in 2011, and expects the number to continue to rise. Other vendors are experiencing similar growth.

The homegrown success of the DW12 chassis is just another reason Hoosiers can be proud when they hear “Back Home Again in Indiana” on that last Sunday in May.

About the Indiana Motorsports Association

The IMA is dedicated to fostering economic and job growth in Indiana by promoting a strong motorsport industry. The not-for-profit association builds lasting relationships between the racing community, the Indiana business community and governmental and educational institutions. By building a robust motorsport industry, we can build a vibrant local economy. For more information, please visit IndianaMotorsports.org.

Tom Weisenbach

317-956-7803

tom@indianamotorsports.org

www.indianamotorsport.org

The members of the INDY Top 50 Business Connectors will be recognized by the U.S. Small Business Conference in its upcoming event that will be held in Carmel, Indiana, on May 18, 2012. These individuals naturally share their experiences in business, making introductions, providing referrals, and
broadcasting important messages as center of influence in their respective communities.

Among the main missions of the U.S. Small Business Conference is to give a hand to small businesses in different parts of the US as well as assist them in enhancing their operations through resources, connections, and education in their local business community. This organization tours throughout the
US, bringing revenues into local markets and establishing new partnerships as well as strategic alliances.

It will also feature phenomenal professional speakers that will present the topics about the variety of educational support it offers to the said small businesses.

This year, the U.S. Small Business Conference will be bringing business connectors together in an EXPO that will discuss topics related to “2012 Success Plans”. This is where the attendees will be educated on how to establish marketing and social media campaigns, along with networking plans, referral
strategies, and budgets and agendas. Other important matters in this expo include creating and sharing valuable tips, suggestions, resources, and making connections to support one another for the respective business development goals.

To learn more about who the INDY Top 50 Business Connectors are, simply take a visit at its official website http://www.INDYtop50.com and meet them in person at the event. For complete details, tickets or exhibitor information on the U.S. Small Business Conference & EXPO go to
http://www.USsmallBiz.org or call 317-622-8221.

HubSpot recognizes the value of its value added resellers, and is glad SpinWeb is part of the team that is revolutionizing marketing.

Since 1996, SpinWeb has been an innovator in web solution and digital marketing and has earned consistent recognition for leadership in design, customer service, and creativity.

“Working with HubSpot will allow us to bring even greater benefits to our clients,” stated Michael Reynolds, SpinWeb President/CEO. “We have been blown away by the sophistication and depth offered by HubSpot’s software and we are really eager to take our clients’ marketing campaigns to the next level using these new tools.”

HubSpot is an all-in-one inbound marketing software platform for businesses of all sizes. It allows integration of blogging, search engine optimization, social media monitoring, lead nurturing, content management, content personalization, and analytics reporting. With more than 5,000 customers in 34 countries, HubSpot was named the 2nd fastest growing software company in the world by Inc Magazine this year.

HubSpot customers see a growth in monthly unique visitors to their websites by up to 60 percent, an average increase in leads of 25 percent and an increase in sales of 50 percent or more because of their inbound marketing efforts.

HubSpot values its Value Added Resellers and is looking forward to working with SpinWeb to spread the knowledge and success of inbound marketing.

About SpinWeb

SpinWeb is an Indianapolis-based digital agency that delivers web solutions and digital marketing for businesses and non-profits. SpinWeb has received national acclaim for excellence in design and innovation. Learn more about SpinWeb at www.spinweb.net.

The ADDY Awards are the world’s largest advertising competition, which recognizes creative excellence from companies around the world. The following Miller Brooks submissions were awarded local ADDYs:

Gold, Mossberg Brochure Campaign
Gold, Mossberg Sales Kit
Gold, Mossberg Website
Gold, ClarkDietrich Ad Campaign
Silver, CertainTeed Body of Evidence Ad
Silver, Delta Faucet Smart Shower Ad
Silver, Delta Faucet Full-line Catalog
Silver, Delta Faucet Catalog Campaign
Silver, Delta Faucet Andian Video

“Miller Brooks is honored to receive such tremendous recognition for the quality of work our team has produced to ensure our clients’ branded materials build success,” said Patrick Kelley, executive creative director, Miller Brooks. “We take a certain pride in our creative prowess, and are always proud to share our continued success at the ADDYs with our expanding client base.”

About Miller Brooks Inc.
Currently in its 28th year, Miller Brooks Inc. helps companies build and enhance their brands and grow their business with marketing-driven creative solutions crafted to resonate in a world that’s constantly changing. One of the largest full service advertising agencies in the Indianapolis market, Miller Brooks has 46 full-time professionals on staff and provides advertising, public relations and media planning for clients on a regional, national and global scale. www.millerbrooks.com.

The new site lets clients request quotes by directly uploading files to their database. A gallery of high-resolution photos lets the company show off their work. Lauck’s line of premium basketball systems, American Eagle Goals, is featured prominently throughout the website.

To view the site, or to learn more about the Lauck Mfg, Co., visit www.lauckmfg.com.

The site was designed by Indianapolis-based web design firm Roundpeg on a WordPress platform.

About Lauck Mfg, Co.

From laser processing to forming, welding and power coating, Lauck Manufacturing has the technology and the experience it takes to accurately create the sheet metal pieces your business needs.

Gray brings to Oak Street Funding more than 20 years of senior executive experience in strategic leadership, financial management, and mergers and acquisitions. Gray also has significant experience in design, maintenance and oversight of accounting processes and controls, external financial reporting, investor relations, tax, reinsurance, investment strategy and treasury-related matters.

Prior to joining Oak Street Funding, Gray held a variety of senior management positions at The Midland Company/American Modern Insurance Group in Cincinnati, including president, head of personal & commercial lines, executive vice president and CFO. Prior to Midland, Gray was with Deloitte & Touche, LLP. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

“I am pleased to have Todd join our team. His finance experience and insurance knowledge will be instrumental in meeting our short and long-term goals to be the dominate capital provider to the insurance industry,” said Dennen. “The addition of Todd demonstrates Oak Street Funding’s focus on having the best people leading the business.”

About Oak Street Funding
Carmel, Ind.-based Oak Street Funding (www.oakstreetfunding.com) is a family of diversified financial services companies that offers commission-based commercial financing exclusively for insurance professionals and third-party loan servicing for financial institutions. Oak Street Funding utilizes industry knowledge, proprietary technology and passion to deliver top-quality service and capital products to insurance and finance professionals nationwide. Oak Street Funding can be found on Twitter @OSFunding and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OSFunding. Additional information is available at www.oakstreetfunding.com or by calling 1-866-OAK FUND.

 “This is a fantastic affirmation of all of our team’s hard work,” said Lee Wenninger, franchise owner of the Express Indy North office.

In winning the award the Chamber recognized Express for helping over 4,000 employees find work and over 300 companies find great people since its opening in 2005.

“We’re grateful to the companies that allowed us to help them grow and the people who have trusted us to help them find work,” said Wenninger.

In addition, Express was also cited for its commitment to community involvement, including raising money for Children’s Miracle Network and Hamilton County Meals on Wheels.

The Hamilton County Express Employment Professionals office services Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield. The office has grown steadily and is one of the top 50 offices in the Express organization.

Express provides expertise in evaluation hire, temporary staffing, professional search and human resources. With over 550 offices in four countries, Express is committed to the vision of helping as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.

For more information about jobs or employment solutions, call (317) 596-9370 or visit www.expressindynorth.com.