Jerry Ross is a life-long entrepreneur who connects with audiences while applying his entrepreneurial experience and insights to a variety of business topics. Using his record of corporate achievement and entrepreneurial success, Jerry inspires and motivates audiences with practical examples and humorous stories that are remembered long after the event has concluded! He is always a crowd favorite.
Jerry is currently the Executive Director of the National Entrepreneur Center in Orlando Florida, which has attracted national recognition and international attention as a national model for economic development. His common sense approach and down-to-earth style coupled with his extensive business experience has made Jerry equally appealing to both national conventions and company retreats alike. He relates to a variety of audiences on a variety of topics and always leaves them wanting more. The Orlando Business Journal has called him a “virtual business incubator” and has named him one of the “Top 10 businessmen to watch in Central Florida.”
Jerry’s strength is that he speaks from personal experience and his enthusiasm is contagious! He engages audiences with a blend of practical advice, humility, and inspiration and delivers a performance that is guaranteed to make your event unforgettable!
Reserve Jerry for your event today! You will be glad you did!
Speaker. Author. Entrepreneur.
Jerry Ross
Executive Director
The Disney Entrepreneur Center
Jerry Ross is a life-long entrepreneur who has also held leadership positions with AT&T, Ohio Bell, and Goal Systems Software. His local entrepreneurial ventures include Sky-Tracker of Florida, Semco Properties, and Maverick Business Magazine.
In 2007, Jerry was selected in a nationwide search to become the Executive Director of the Disney Entrepreneur Center located in Orlando, Florida. He has been called a “virtual business incubator” by the Orlando Business Journal for his on-going advocacy for small businesses.
He has been quoted by the Orlando Sentinel, Florida Trend Magazine, Wealth Magazine, Florida Today, The Orlando Business Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal on small business topics, and is a nationally recognized speaker on small business topics.
Locally, Jerry is a member the advisory boards for Christian Help, The District Export Council, and Florida’s Innovation Caucus 2020, and he was recently named one of the “top 10 businessmen to watch in Central Florida” by the Orlando Business Journal.
He resides in Orlando, with his wife Laura, his son Kevin, and his dog Major.
Background
- Executive level corporate experience
- Successful entrepreneur- started, built and sold multiple businesses
- Accomplished speaker in the US and internationally
- Frequent contributing author for local and national publications
- 30 years of business and entrepreneurial experience
- Over 3,000 hours of small business consulting.
- MBA from Dayton University
- Certified Business Consultant from University of Central Florida
Achievements
- Named one Orlando’s “Top 10 Businessmen to Watch” (2008)
- Selected in nationwide search to become Executive Director of The Disney Entrepreneur Center in Orlando, Florida (2006)
- Creator and publisher of Maverick Business Magazine. (2004-2007)
- Frequent media guest in Central Florida. (2004-present)
- Set a world record in event lighting for Universal Studios Florida. (2000)
- Nominated for small businessman of the year by the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce. (1998)
- Led his lighting company to become one of the nations premier entertainment lighting providers. (Clients included Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, NASA, NFL, NBA, and the Olympics.) Sold in cash buyout. (1991-1998)
- Received Goal Systems’ Software Sales Award for Achievement. (1989)
- Sold mainframe computer software to the Pentagon, Library of Congress, Fidelity Bank and MCI’s data centers. (1985-1989)
- Created a new department for Ameritech that generated over $1 million in sales in its first year of operation. (1984)
- Manager of Strategic Planning during historic divestiture of “Ma Bell” (1980-1985)
2009 Speaking Titles:
- Marketing with the Wizard
- (What the Wizard of Oz can teach you about marketing.)
- Want to Succeed? Learn How to Sell!
- Marketing in the Real World
- Branding: You Better Own Some Brain Real Estate!
- Economic Gardening – Building Entrepreneurial Capital
- Small Business Tactics for Tough Times
- Customized programs are available upon request.
Articles Published:
- “To Boost Sales, Tap Existing Customers”
- Orlando Sentinel – 1/6/03
- “Don’t Overlook Visuals in Merchandising”
- Orlando Sentinel – 1/13/03
- “Put Your Marketing Plan into Motion”
- Orlando Sentinel – 10/13/03
- “Feasibility Study Provides Reality Check”
- Orlando Sentinel – 1/12/04
- “Focus Effort on Sales to Grow Business”
- Orlando Sentinel – 1/19/04
- “Rebates Can Be an Effective Marketing Tool”
- Orlando Sentinel- 5/31/04
- “Want to Succeed? Learn How to Sell”
- Orlando Sentinel – 7/12/04
- “What to Consider Before Taking the Plunge”
- Orlando Sentinel – 10/4/04
- “3 Steps to Relationship Selling”
- Imaging Spectrum Magazine – 8/05
- Recent Speaking/Training Engagements:
- National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance
- Extreme Business Makeover Boot Camp
- National Dive Convention- DEMA 2006,2008, 2009
- World Trade Center International Finance Forum
- Cairo, Egypt Business Development Conference
- International Imaging Technology; National Convention
- Florida Staffing Association; State Convention
- National Independent Nurses Association
- Florida Association of Small Business Development Centers
- Central Florida Economic Outlook -2005
- University of Central Florida -Technology Incubator
- University of Central Florida-Small Business Development Center
- Central Florida’s Emerging Business Network
- SCORE-Senior Corp of Retired Executives; District Meeting
- Themed Entertainment Association; Eastern Division
- Kauffman Foundation FastTrac- New Business: Facilitator
- Orlando Business Journal; Central Florida Small Business Expo
- U.S. Hispanic Chamber; Women in Franchising
- AT&T Outplacement Training Program
- Overland Missions International, Staff Development Conference
- Tedder, James, & Worden CPA, Staff Development Conference
- Florida SBDCA Entrepreneur Team to Merida, Mexico
- National Paint and Coatings Expo- Tampa, Florida
- AFLAC Insurance; Staff Training
- Accountants for Co-operatives; SE Regional Meeting
- Osceola County Public Schools; Staff Development
- Orlando’s Economic Cooperative
