Entrepreneur veteran Dano Ybarra appointed to lead next phase of growth
Kaysville, UT – July 28, 2014 – Entrepreneur Launch Pad, a Utah- and community-based non-profit organization of entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs, today announced the appointment of Dano Ybarra as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Five year ELP veteran, Board member, and site leader of the Salt Lake Valley Chapter of ELP Jay Taylor was appointed as Vice Chairman.
Entrepreneur Launch Pad (ELP) is an independent, community-based, non-profit organization that provides a regular time and place for aspiring and veteran entrepreneurs and business owners to meet at no charge to work on their ideas and businesses with their entrepreneurial peers, mentors and other business leaders. ELP inspires, guides, and empowers participants to take meaningful action resulting in the creation, launch, operation, and growth of profitable and sustainable businesses.
Effective immediately, Bill Brown has stepped down as ELP Chairman after successfully serving for many years. During Bill’s tenure ELP has continued to grow and evolve to better meet the needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Brown will continue to serve as a Board member. Replacing Mr. Brown as ELP’s Chairman is Dano Ybarra. With two decades of senior management experience leading startups and high growth companies primarily in the high tech industry, Mr. Ybarra will focus on raising the visibility of ELP at the state level and in the investment community while continuing to meet the needs of Utah entrepreneurs.
A long-time member of ELP, Mr. Ybarra has over 15 years experience in the telecommunications industry and an additional 13 years in the information publishing industry. As CEO of several startups, Dano has experience taking companies from concept to success. Holding various Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing positions, he has led product strategies, marketing teams and sales teams to success. As General Manager he has held full P&L responsibilities overseeing operations and engineering. As co-founder of FlowPoint, the first company to make broadband routers specifically designed for DSL, he guided the company from $800,000 annual sales to over $120 million annual sales in less than three years. FlowPoint was acquired by Efficient Networks for $1.2 Billion and later by Siemens where Mr. Ybarra served as General Manager of a global team.
Mr. Taylor is a passionate and experienced leader, entrepreneur, and small-business owner, evangelist, consultant, and coach. He is a powerful writer, meticulous editor, inspiring teacher, and insightful small-business expert. Jay is a dedicated and long-time ELP supporter and participant. He first attended ELP in 2009 and has served as the site leader for the Salt Lake Valley ELP site since September 2012. Jay joined ELP’s board of directors in 2013.
“I look forward to adding to the great success of ELP serving the needs of the Utah entrepreneurs,” said Dano Ybarra. “I feel very privileged to be leading this organization and look forward to gaining higher visibility at a state level and in the investment community. There are big shoes to fill from those who have served before me.”
About Entrepreneur Launch Pad
Entrepreneur Launch Pad (“ELP”) is an independent, community-based, non-profit organization that provides a regular time and place for aspiring and veteran entrepreneurs and business owners to meet at no charge in order to work on their ideas and businesses with their entrepreneurial peers and other business owners and leaders. ELP inspires, guides, and empowers participants to take meaningful action resulting in the creation, launch, operation, and growth of profitable and sustainable businesses. ELP offers:
- Meetings and meeting leadership;
- Business and motivational education;
- Guidance and instruction from subject-matter experts;
- Real-world entrepreneurial networking opportunities;
- Introduction and access to local business resources;
- Peer-based focus groups and opportunities for collaboration and brainstorming;
- Actionable ideas and information; and
- Opportunities to volunteer and serve one another and our communities.
We will gladly provide additional information, including interviews with a member of our Board, an Officer and some of our members. We invite you to attend a meeting at any of our sites. Please let us know how we can help you. www.elpnow.org