The Koffman team
Per Stromhaug
Associate Vice President, Innovation and Economic Development
Per oversees the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships at Binghamton University, including tech-transfer activities, entrepreneurial support and economic growth initiatives, and the Koffman Incubator.
Bandhana Katoch
Executive Director, Koffman Incubator
Bandhana is a business development professional with 20+ years of experience in supporting entrepreneurs, their business and the ecosystems that support them. She has extensive experience in conducting technology assessments for early-stage technologies in the varied areas of life sciences. In her career she has worked with 300+ SBIR awardees funded by federal agencies. She brings the combination of scientific knowledge, business acumen and legal understanding for building and fostering an innovation ecosystem.
Eric Krohn
Director, Business Incubation Programming
Eric is a successful inventor and entrepreneur who leverages his experience in guiding and mentoring companies. As director of business incubation, he facilitates programming to help start-ups grow and succeed, with an emphasis on high-tech, high-growth ventures.
Mike Jagielski
Director, Clean Energy Incubator Program
Mike is a seasoned business executive and technology entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience. Leveraging his expertise in the areas of Big Data Analytics, Solution Sales Methodologies and Business Monetization Strategies, he has the tools and passion to progress clean energy companies within the Koffman’s SCI program.
Olga Petrova
Director, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Partnerships
Olga manages the life sciences and biomedical portfolio for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships — facilitating patenting and commercialization of new technologies arising from Binghamton University research. She also serves as program director and instructor for the Koffman’s NSF I-Corp Hub courses, along with various other programs.
Stacey Johnson
Director, Workforce Development
Elena Iankova is President of the Center for International Business Acceleration. She has over 15 years of teaching experience at Cornell University and Binghamton University. She oversees the Soft Landing Program whose goal is to attract international startups to the Koffman Incubator and the Southern Tier of New York.
Elena Iankova
Director, Soft Landing New York Program
Elena Iankova is President of the Center for International Business Acceleration. She has over 15 years of teaching experience at Cornell University and Binghamton University. She oversees the Soft Landing Program whose goal is to attract international startups to the Koffman Incubator and the Southern Tier of New York.
Ebony Hattoh
Associate Director, Equity and Justice
Ebony Hattoh is a Binghamton local with years of experience in minority-owned business start-ups and consulting. In her role, Ebony instructs small business workshops and ensures the battery storage supply chain has access to a diverse and robust network of business owners. Ebony plays a key role in mapping local assets and activating the community to engage and network to create a stronger and more resilient community.
Emma Smith
Manager, Clean Energy Program and Koffman Events
Emma provides extensive support to the Clean Energy Program, recruiting companies to the region and working directly with them on grant milestones and programming. Additionally, she serves as the manager for event planning and community sponsorship at the Koffman.
Kari Bayait
Marketing Communications Manager
Kari oversees the marketing strategy and brand identities for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships at Binghamton University, the Koffman Incubator and the University led New Energy New York initiative. Her previous and continued graphic design and marketing work serve art, higher education, restaurant and live event industries.
Nick Zwierlein
Client Relationship Manager
Nick manages the recruitment of start-up business ventures with high growth potential to the Koffman Incubator — with the objective of expanding and diversifying the area’s business community. Additionally, he helps the Koffman form new sponsor partnerships, and maintain existing relationships with member companies, sponsors, investors and stakeholders.
Steve Pierce
Facilities Manager
Steve manages and maintains the well-being of the Koffman building by coordinating proper maintenance, servicing, and upgrades. He works with new members and tenants for onboarding, lease agreements, and preparing offices or labs based on business’ needs.
Atanas Tzenev
Business Development Manager, Soft Landing NY
Atanas Tzenev recruits and mentors international entrepreneurs and startups to evaluate their opportunities and navigate their way into the U.S. through market analysis, customer discovery, and entry strategy. Tzenev also teaches courses in Global and Social Entrepreneurship at Binghamton University.
Shannon Gerlach
Marketing Communications Specialist
Shannon manages key marketing initiatives for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships at Binghamton University and the Koffman Incubator, including social media, email and web-based marketing, photo/video curation, and more.
Taylor Pastrick
Communications and Public Relations Specialist
Taylor manages key communication initiatives and messaging for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships, the Koffman Incubator and the New Energy New York initiative. She oversees the office's public relations efforts, crafts journalistic articles, and more.
Sharon Malone
Event Coordinator and Facilities Administrator
Sharon focuses on guest impressions and client satisfaction, creating extraordinary experiences for everyone at the Koffman Incubator. She provides administrative support and facilities solutions, and works closely with the Building Manager to ensure tenants and guests have everything they need. She plays a primary role in coordinating and hosting member and community events.
Laura Holmes
Entrepreneur in Residence, Student Entrepreneurship
Laura Holmes is the lead mentor for student entrepreneurs at Binghamton University. She is the former Director of Operations at the Koffman, and took on this new role after retiring in June 2022.
Sharon Malone
Event Coordinator and Facilities Administrator
Sharon focuses on guest impressions and client satisfaction, creating extraordinary experiences for everyone at the Koffman Incubator. She provides administrative support and facilities solutions, and works closely with the Building Manager to ensure tenants and guests have everything they need. She plays a primary role in coordinating and hosting member and community events.
KOFFMAN BOARD MEMBERS
Betsy Koffman
Entrepreneur
Harvey Stenger
President, Binghamton University
Sheila Doyle
Executive Director, Binghamton University Foundation
Kevin Drumm
President, SUNY Broome
Mary Beth Curtin
Mitchell Goldstein
Partner & Co-Head, Ares Credit Group
Howard Unger
Founding Partner, Saw Mill Capital, LLC
