
OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL AND INNOVATION COACHES
At the core of our program are entrepreneurial Coaches who work one-on-one with startups and small emerging businesses—whether the idea is only on paper or already in the works. Startup Alleghenies Coaches are available to work with residents in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, or Somerset counties.
When you enroll in Startup Alleghenies, you will be paired with a coach from your county. They’ll help you explore and build structure around your dream. Whether you need a business plan, capital, marketing, a physical space or other resources, they’ll be at your side every step of the way.
Andrew Trexler – Bedford C
ounty
Hello. My name is Andrew Trexler. I like to consider myself a pretty lucky guy.
I spent my younger years in Blair county and my high-school years in Claysburg, PA. I have been a tinkerer and experimenter my entire life. Growing up, if I met anything that grabbed my interest, I would tear it apart, figure out how it worked, then try to make a better version of it.
Andrew Trexler
atrexler@bcda.org
814-623-4816
Start-up Business Coach – Bedford County
Bedford County Development Association
Rich Lasek – Blair County
I am the Manager of Loan Servicing and Entrepreneurial Development at the Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation. With more than 13 years of commercial banking and economic development experience, I am here to help get your ideas to the market.
Rich Lasek
richl@abcdcorp.org
814-944-6113
Entrepreneur and Innovation Coach – Blair County
Altoona Blair County Development Corporation
Blake Fleegle – Cambria County.
Hi Everyone! My name is Blake and you may recognize me from my successful venture in Johnstown, the Westwood Plaza Theatre & Café. I am a hardworking family man with a lot of relevant entrepreneurship experience for my age. Although I still sell popcorn on the weekends, I am here to help make your business dreams come true in the same way I achieved mine over a decade ago.
Blake Fleegle
bfleegle@jari.com
814-254-4023
Entrepreneurial Coach – Cambria County, Somerset County
JARI
Christa McGeary – Huntingdon and Fulton Counties
Hey everyone! I am Christa and I am so excited to help you turn your dreams into realities! I am a native to Huntingdon County. I like to say that I was born with entrepreneurial blood. My grand dad, grandmother, and father were entrepreneurs. They had their part in lighting my passion for business throughout my childhood and inspired me to travel that path in my professional career.
Christa McGeary
cmcgeary@hcbi.com
814-506-8287
Entrepreneur Coach – Huntingdon & Fulton Counties
HCBI (Huntingdon County Business & Industry)
Matt Reckner – Somerset County
Hello everyone! My name is Matt Reckner. I’m the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Coach for Somerset County.
My background consists of over 10 years in retail management, another 2 years in banking management, and, for the last 5 years, selling business solutions to small businesses.