Jim Eckes With decades of experience in telecom, Jim Eckes is the leader of TieTechnology, where he focuses on building custom VoIP phone solutions to help businesses better serve their customers. He has built a career on creating meaningful partnerships and leveraging his expertise to bring legacy telecom systems into the future. Jim is also reinventing the customer experience by integrating telecom with AI in a way few have considered. His approach challenges long-standing industry norms, emphasizing that AI is only effective when the foundation—the phone system itself—is modern, reliable, and built to support innovation. Joe Mindak Joe brings over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience across marketing, publishing, events, music, and e-commerce, combining creative vision with a passion for community-driven business. As the founder of seven ventures—including hMAG (Hoboken Magazine), Castle Point Brewer/Hoboken Ale, and Pregifting—he has built companies grounded in authentic connection and shared purpose. His pivotal insight came when a single introduction led to a $100K agency deal, inspiring the creation of Nolodex, where he now leverages his strategic and relationship-focused leadership to transform networking into real, measurable business growth. Scott Nelson Scott Nelson, a former professional baseball umpire who spent five years in the minor leagues and three in Major League Baseball, transformed adversity into entrepreneurial success after his unexpected release from the sport in 2001. Drawing on the resilience built during his baseball years, he entered the apparel industry in 2009 and launched Local Team Shop in 2012, leading it to impressive growth—including securing a pilot program with Walmart involving 11 Supercenters and 51 schools in his first week. Married to his longtime partner and a proud father of three, Scott’s journey reflects perseverance through setbacks, innovation during challenges like COVID-19, and the relentless drive to build and scale a standout brand in the local sportswear market.