For 20 years, Kenneth (Hap) Klopp, who holds an MBA from Stanford University, was the president of The North Face, a firm that created the standard for innovation and quality in the outdoors, mountaineering, backpacking and skiing industries. The Company, during his tenure, grew from a back room, 14-person operation into an enterprise employing more than 1,000 people. It was involved in manufacturing, licensing, retailing and distribution in 45 countries. In 1988 Klopp sold The North Face and founded HK Consulting, a strategic and brand oriented consulting company in the San Francisco area. He has an affiliated consulting office in Japan and their clients range from start-ups to multi-billion-dollar corporations. In addition to consulting, Mr. Klopp serves on a number of Boards of Directors and along with 2 partners recently purchased the 100-year-old rugby company, Canterbury of New Zealand with offices in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, U.S., Canada, UK, South Africa and Japan.

Louis Foreman is the founder and Chief Executive of Enventys, an integrated product design and engineering firm. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in Economics. His passion for entrepreneurship began as a sophomore when he launched his first company from his fraternity room. Over the past 39 years, Louis has founded 10 successful startups and has been directly responsible for the creation of more than 20 others. A prolific inventor, he holds 10 registered U.S. patents, and his firm has been responsible for the development and filing of hundreds more. The recipient of numerous awards for entrepreneurial achievement, Louis is widely recognized for his leadership in innovation and small business development. Louis is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in the Entrepreneurship Program at Wake Forest University. He previously served as an adjunct professor and Entrepreneur in Residence at The McColl School of Business for 11 years as well as Johnson & Wales University. He received the Instructor Achievement Award from Central Piedmont Community College and was recognized by the National Museum of Education for Distinguished Contributions to Education. A frequent lecturer and media guest, Louis is regularly invited by universities and national trade associations to speak on entrepreneurship, innovation, and intellectual property. Beyond his work as an inventor and educator, Louis is committed to inspiring innovators. He created the Emmy® Award-winning PBS television series Everyday Edisons, serving as Executive Producer and lead judge. The show won two Emmys over four seasons and aired nationally on PBS. In 2007, he became the publisher of Inventors Digest, a 45-year-old publication devoted to American innovation. His book, The Independent Inventor’s Handbook, was published by Workman Publishing. In 2015, Louis received the IP Champion Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He was inducted into the International IP Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Carolinas Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2023. Louis served for 12 years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the James Dyson Foundation. He currently serves on the boards of the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), the Federal Reserve Bank Industry Roundtable, Eightco Holdings, the Intellectual Property Owners Educational Foundation (IPOEF), and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Carolinas Region. Louis has also served in several US Government advisory roles, including two terms on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC). The National SBDC Advisory Board, and the Federal NIST MEP Advisory Board. In 2011, Louis briefed members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on legislation impacting the U.S. patent system and independent inventors. He later joined the President on stage for the signing of the America Invents Act into law, marking the most comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. patent system in more than 60 years.

Dr. Julie Lamarra is a Professional Practice Associate Professor in Outdoor Product Design and Development at Utah State University, an interdisciplinary program that brings together design, innovation, sustainability, and industry collaboration to prepare students for careers in the outdoor industry. Her practice is grounded in experiential, research-driven learning that helps students develop the skills, adaptability, and creative confidence needed in an evolving outdoor industry. Her scholarship explores how design practices such as curiosity, iteration, reflection, aesthetic awareness, and problem-solving help shape more thoughtful, responsive, and future-ready product creators.

Karl Fritzsche is a product strategy and global development executive with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling consumer product businesses. He has held leadership roles at Helinox, Cascade Designs, and YETI, with deep expertise in product innovation, global sourcing, and commercialization. He currently advises and consults with brands, leveraging his experience to drive product strategy, development, and factory sourcing execution. Karl is known for aligning product vision with execution, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering profitable growth across international markets. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Sales and Leadership from Cal Poly Humboldt. Karl lives in Washington State with his wife and two sons and enjoys mountain biking, skiing, backpacking, and traveling with his family.

In 2001, FitzRandolph won the Silver medal at the World Sprint Championships and Gold in the 500m. FitzRandolph is a six-time National Sprint Cup Champion and he achieved his childhood dream by winning the 2002 Olympic Gold medal in the 500m in Salt Lake City. FitzRandolph established new Olympic Records in the 500m speedskating race at the 1998 and 2002 Olympic Games. In Nagano, he became the first person to skate the 500m in under 36 seconds in an Olympics and then set a new Olympic Record of 34.42 seconds at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City…a mark that is still the current Olympic Record.