2026 Wolverine Venture Battle Judges

Lori A. Brinker ’96, CFP®, CRPC®, CDFA™,CPFA

Lori joined Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor in 2005 and has been in the financial services industry since 1996. The basis of Lori’s financial background began with her studies for the bachelor’s degree in financial management, with a minor in mathematics that she earned from Grove City College. She holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Throughout 29 years of experience in the financial services industry, she has also acquired a Pennsylvania state life, accident, and health insurance license. She also holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ™, the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designations.

Functioning in a dual role as a Financial Advisor and Manager, Lori had recently served in a leadership capacity as the Senior Resident Director of the Private Wealth Office of Merrill Lynch.  She is currently the Senior Resident Director in the Sewickley, PA office.   Lori is an alumna of the Resident Director Advisory Council to Management at Merrill and was the former Co-President of the Western PA chapter of the Women’s Exchange.  Prior leadership roles with Merrill Lynch include: POA training coach, Western PA Sales Manager and Resident Director of the former New Kensington office. She also is a member of the Masterson Award committee that recognizes champions of culture at Merrill.

In addition to educating individuals, families and business owners regarding the wealth management process, Lori is an educator for Duquesne University. She enjoys teaching Duquesne University’s Executive Certificate in Financial Planning course that prepares professionals to obtain their CFP® designation. Lori previously served on the board of directors for the Sampson Family Y in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh and she was the metro liaison to the Greater Pittsburgh Area YMCA. Furthermore, Lori is a member of Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) and has also served on the Business & Entrepreneurship Advisory Board at Chatham University. Currently she serves on the leadership team as a volunteer at Cornerstone Ministries,  Lori and her husband, John, live in Murrysville, PA.  In her spare time she enjoys time with family, biking, boating, reading and travelling.

Dan Creston ’81

Mr. Creston graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. While on campus as a student, Dan interviewed with Borg-Warner Chemicals and was hired for a position in Sales Management, a job he remained at for six years. In 1987, Dan started at Alpha Packaging, Inc. where he became Chief Operating Officer and Partner. He partnered with the CEO to open nine plastic packaging plants and took sales from $400K in 1987 to $230M in 2015. They sold the company twice to private equity firms and Dan remains a shareholder today. Currently Dan is the Founder and Owner of Creston Consulting, LLC (small business mentoring and angel investing), which he started in 2015. He judges start-ups for grants and investment potential with two nonprofits…Arch Grants (www.archgrants.org) and St. Louis Arch Angels (www.stlouisarchangels.com).

 

Pete Durfee ’80

Mr. Durfee has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sciences industry. He was formerly employed at Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”), a publicly held, research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need, from 1997 until retiring in 2012. During his tenure, Mr. Durfee served as Senior Director of Corporate Engineering and Facilities Operations (CEFO) which was responsible for the strategic and operational direction of Gilead’s engineering pursuits. While at Gilead, Mr. Durfee was responsible for directing Engineering, Validation, Maintenance/Facilities Operations, Manufacturing/Contract Manufacturing, Environmental Health & Safety, Corporate Real Estate, Site Services and Security. Mr. Durfee received a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and completed the required coursework for a Masters in Electrical Engineering at Penn State before moving to California in 1988. Peter and his wife Susan (Peshek ‘81) are retired, live, and play in Montreux, Nevada.

RJ Fryan ’08

Dr. Fryan is a dynamic leader who has spent most of his career in the manufacturing industry. RJ grew up in Canton, Ohio, where he started working in the steel industry while still in college. RJ has served in various functions within the steel industry throughout his career, including operations, marketing, supply chain, and sales. He is the CEO of Kind Special Alloys US and Lake Park Tool and Machine in Youngstown, Ohio. RJ earned his MBA from Anderson University and his DBA from George Fox University. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Laura (Koller ’11) and their three children, Raymond,  Emma, and Evelyn.

 

Darrin Grove ’91

Darrin Grove, Truefit’s Founder and CEO, is a native Pittsburgher with a passion for innovation, technology, and values-based leadership. At Truefit, he works with business leaders who are creating new or next generation software products to pursue a new opportunity in the market, solve an important problem, and ultimately grow their business. Darrin and his team reduce risk and build confidence by guiding clients through their proven Idea Launch™ process.

In addition to his work at Truefit, Darrin is dedicated to sharing his insight in product development and entrepreneurship with the community and with students. He is an active angel and venture investor and currently serves on the investment committee for Beyond Capital, a faith-driven investment fund.

Darrin is also a food and wine enthusiast and loves spending time with his wife Chris and three sons, Andy, Tyler, and Ryan.

 

Melissa Jacobs ’92

With more than 30 years in the hospitality profession, including 18 years as the owner and operator of the historic Jean Bonnet Tavern, Melissa brings a seasoned understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the service industry. She serves on the Board of Friends Cove Mutual Insurance Company and remains active in her community through various nonprofit leadership roles. Melissa resides in Bedford, PA with her husband, Shannon. She is the mother of two sons and especially grateful for her role as a grandmother. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Spanish.

Liam Krut ’14

Liam Krut earned his BA in Economics at Grove City College and lives in Pittsburgh with his wife Emily (2015) and four children. He previously started two companies, led data science teams, and conducted technical due diligence in private equity. As an investment partner at Reinforced Ventures, he works across fundraising, deal flow, due diligence, and investment decisions for new technology trends in Robotics and Autonomous Systems.

Rick Newton ’86

Entrepreneur, consultant, and coach, Rick Newton is focused on helping marketplace leaders integrate their faith and work in practical ways. He is especially passionate about helping entrepreneurs and emerging leaders become transformational agents, bringing redemption and restoration to every facet of society. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering and Computer Science from Grove City College and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, Rick worked at various regional corporations long enough to decide that he wanted to create a company very different than most – one that integrated and reflected his faith by serving customers, employees, and the communities in which they live. In 2003, he founded Newton Consulting – which was sold 21 years later to Wavestone, a global management consulting firm headquartered in Paris, France.  
 
Rick now focuses his time and energy within the Newton Institute, a leadership development company that is building a platform of programs and practical tools for coaches, consultants, and companies to create flourishing leaders, teams, and cultures for their clients and employees. Rick and his wife, Terrie (Wright ’85) have 5 children and 11 grandchildren, all of whom live close by and are actively involved in a multi-generational vision to see their community and region transformed through the redeeming power of God’s love.

Elisabeth O’Brien ’16

Elisabeth O’Brien ’16, a seasoned big sister, accomplished product manager, and life-long learner, has always been a catalyst for fostering connection and infusing joy into every moment. After graduating from Grove City College, Elisabeth initially found herself in a sales role that didn’t quite align with her creative inclinations. While she enjoyed engaging with individuals and their unique stories, her true passion for envisioning and bringing ideas to life steered her towards a different professional journey. Following a series of applications and interviews, Elisabeth secured what she now regards to be a “dream job” – a role as a product manager. With a diverse background spanning the financial services industry to the hospitality sector, Elisabeth has honed her expertise in crafting digital products and innovative product strategies that captivate consumers. A life-long student, Elisabeth is currently pursuing her MBA at the NYU Stern School of Business while simultaneously serving as the Director of Reservations Product for IHG Hotels & Resorts global contact center. 

Paul Passaro

Paul Passaro’s career began on Wall Street at the municipal bond firm Roosevelt & Cross, Inc., and he has subsequently served as the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Operating Officer of a number of enterprises with as many as 1,400 employees, including Pine Needles and Mid Pines Resorts, Corporate Realty Advisors (now part of Jones Lang LaSalle), DunnWell (now a part of Cintas Corporation), and East West Partners Club Management. Paul’s management responsibilities have included leading finance, operations, strategic planning, human resources, and business development. In addition to three years of full-time mission work in South Africa, Paul has helped plant churches and has served on the boards of privately-held businesses, foundations, and ministries in the US and overseas, including Thrive Farmers International. He is a cum laude graduate of Williams College with an MBA from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Paul and his wife, Kristi, are the parents of three children (including Annie ’22 and Charlie ’27) and reside in Chapel Hill, NC, where they are members of Christ Community Church (PCA).

Mark Pentz ’81

Mark Pentz earned a BA in Business Administration and is the owner and president of Calvin Group Inc, a used asphalt paving equipment dealer in Grafton, OH that reaches customers around the world. Mark’s passion for paving equipment started when he was a young boy in Pennsylvania when he went to work for his father, who ran an equipment dealership. Mark founded Calvin Group in 1996 and the company has since expanded to selling paving equipment around the world. He lives in Ohio with his wife, Cheri (’79), and two dogs. He has three adult children and six grandchildren. 

Michael Pentz ’06

Michael Pentz earned a BS in Business Management and is the vice president of Calvin Group Inc, a used asphalt paving equipment dealer in Grafton, OH that reaches customers around the world. He joined his father in the company in 2009 to manage the day-to-day activities of the company. Prior to that Michael worked in marketing and product development for startups, nonprofits, and brands such as LG, Apple, and Specialized. Michael lives in Ohio with his wife, Yvonne (’06), and three children. 

Don Tharp

Don is the founder and president of Hudson Financial Advisors Inc. which he started on 4/1/1996…proof he is an April fool! He started HFA after working with a Fortune 100 wealth management firm for approximately 10 years.  HFA serves approximately 200 high net worth families through their Financial Masterpiece Program®.  Don’s business partner Steve McCann 99 introduced him to the good work of Grove City College.  Don has gained significant business experience operating and growing HFA and through his close work with his clients who own privately held businesses in a multitude of industries.  He has served on the boards of various nonprofits to include serving as Chairman of the Board for the Hudson Community Foundation.  Don has been married to his wife Shelly for more than 40 years. They have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. He loves aviation and has a single engine turbo prop that he flies for personal and business travel. He also has a T 34 Mentor that he uses to fly formation for airshows and sporting events.