Former advisory board members
John Banks
John Banks founded and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Viaticus, Inc., the nation’s leading repurchaser of life insurance policies. Viaticus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the CNA Financial Corporation. As CEO, John provided the company’s strategic leadership in areas ranging from global marketing and new product creation to legislative relations, financial management and human capital development.
In February of 1999, John was inducted into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, which recognizes innovators and leaders in the Chicago area. The award was presented in recognition of his outstanding work in transforming a young branch of the insurance industry, providing a new market for an old product. John earned his Chartered Accountant Qualification in London, England. He has also been involved in a variety of community and charitable activities, including nationally-recognized Menttium 100 program mentoring high-performing young women. He established and endowed the Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award for Excellence in primary school education and the AGBU Yvonne Banks Scholarship Program.
Lee Jones
Lee A. Jones, former president and chief executive officer Inlet Medical, has over 25 years of medical device experience. Inlet Medical, a company focused on providing surgical solutions for women’s health, was sold to CooperSurgical in November 2006. Prior to joining Inlet Medical in October 1997, she spent 14 years at Medtronic and was involved in three entrepreneurial ventures within the company. Lee received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1979 and completed the Executive Program at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in 1995.
In addition to her work with Inlet, Lee and her husband own and operate Best Buds Garden Supply; an internet based garden supply company. Best Buds was founded by her and two of her friends in 1997. She is also on the boards of Impres Medical and Uroplasty.
Jim Notarnicola
Jim is a partner with Brock Capital in New York, a corporate advisory and investment banking firm. Brock partners are current and former CEOs, board members, investment bankers, investors, and lawyers. He is also the Founder and CEO of Nicely Bros. Ice Cream, Distribution. Mr. Notarnicola is the former Chief Marketing Officer of Blockbuster, Inc. and spent 20 years at 7-Eleven, Inc. in various operating and marketing positions.
As a volunteer, Jim has done work for the St. Matthews Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. Jim holds a B.S. from the University of Maryland and is a graduate of the University of Texas Advanced Marketing Program.
