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Conference Room

ELM LOCAL OPERATIONS TEAM

Bryant Wallace
Founder/CRO

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As CRO (Chief Relationship Officer), Bryant Wallace continuously seeks and establish alliances with key stakeholders and decision makers. His natural proclivity as a conduit has eased the process for buyers to fulfill local spend objectives, and presented immense opportunities for local small and mid-sized business owners, their families, and the community-at-large.

 

He is a staunch supporter of small business, and has owned I.T. security company, WallScott Solutions, for over 20 years. His company offers cost-effective cyber security solutions to small businesses in high data breach risk industries.

 

Bryant serves on several community boards and organizations including the Rotary Club, Evanston Chamber of Commerce, and The Chessmen Club.

“I am an advocate for small business, which is the driving force in the local economic ecosystem. The Evanston Local Marketplace is an inclusive economic ecosystem of institutions interconnected with local small businesses to keep dollars in the local economy.”

Bryant is a University of Northern Iowa alumnus, and long-time Evanston resident.

Clarence Weaver
Co-Founder/CEO

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Clarence  Weaver joined the ELM team in November 2020. He offers over 40 years of IT industry expertise managing, building, implementing, and integrating systems for the insurance, banking, financial markets, and not-for-profit organizations. In his current role, Clarence has focused on engaging Institutional Buyers and Vendors and driving the vision to connect Institutions and Minority and Women-owned businesses together.

 

Clarence is an active member of many organizations and sits on the board of organizations including Black Business Consortium Evanston NorthShore (BBCENS), Youth Organization Umbrella (Y.O.U), The Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club and serves on the Ministerial Team at Second Baptist Church. Clarence and his wife Wendy own C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor.

 

They have partnered with local organizations to address food insecurity. In doing so, C&W Foundation has been established to drive funding support, create a food pantry and training programs that assist with workforce development efforts for students, seniors, and marginalized resources.

Clarence is a graduate of Control Data Institute and continues his learning with DePaul & Northwestern University.

Anita Summers
Executive Director

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Anita Summers has worked within corporate, legal, private and non profit sectors for over 20 years. Her entre to project management initiated with an internship for a major network TV Show where she had responsibilities for facets of production and business. From there she expanded her skillset, working for various organizations and businesses in the Twin Cities, Chicago, Atlanta, and for clients based in New York and Jamaica.

Anita has effectively liaised with Fortune 500 companies, assisted small business owners with funding and earning new business; established and launched new entities for aspiring entrepreneurs, and written winning non profit grants. She works tenaciously to ensure ELM critical functions within her purview create scalability and sustainability.

 

Anita studied Journalism and Paralegal studies at University of Minnesota and Roosevelt University respectively, earned a Bachelors Degree from Metro State University and an MBA from Clark Atlanta University.

Business & Tech Support Team

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Mark Newsome

CEO ITG-RMS

ELM Business Advisor 

Chief Liaison ELM-VIT

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Cy Kennedy

Chief Executive Officer Value Innovation Technologies (VIT)

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Eva Dinion

Vice President - I.T.

Value Innovation Technologies

ELM Advisory Board

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Jim Konrad

Executive Director of Procurement & Payment Services - Northwestern U.

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Mary Rodino

Chief Financial Officer

Evanston Township High School

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Eric Rhodes

CEO/President

Ascension Health

St. Francis Hospital

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Raphael Obafemi

CFO/COO/Treasurer

Evanston/Skokie

School District 65

ELM's initial momentum was greatly impacted by the input of several community stakeholders and small business owners. Now, as an officially designated Illinois 501(c)(3), the e-Local Marketplace local team manages daily operations. The organization is mentored by ELM liaison and Business Advisor Mark Newsome. Technical support is provided by corporate partner Cy Kennedy, CEO of Value Innovation Technologies (VIT), in conjunction with Eva Dinion, Vice President of I.T. at VIT. The ELM Advisory Board rounds out the extended team, offering continuous insights to support the ELM Mission

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