ALBANY – The Sage Colleges is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Manasier as the School of Management’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Manasier is a serial entrepreneur and investor who currently serves as Business Development Director of Revenew International; CEO of In Focus Brands, a branded go-to-market acceleration firm;  COO of Autonomy Distributors, a US products export partner and President of IFP Films, a multimedia, multiple award-winning content creation studio.

Manasier has created and developed the Economic Development Acceleration Labs (EDA LABS) to assist small to middle market businesses to be faster, stronger and smarter in deploying into markets or pivoting operational systems. He is also responsible for creating the Diamond Point Co-Development Fund to assist startups, intellectual property, services, products and new ideas to prove concept and/or get to market. Manasier has been a judge, mentor and strategic/tactical partner in numerous nonprofits, incubators, accelerators, university entrepreneur programs and business plan competitions and is currently building out the national expansion model for Tech Valley's Center of Gravity and the Parkhurst Field Foundation's Community Development System based on the In Focus Brands' Accelerator Model.

“Robert is a leader in the area of economic development who recognizes the growing need for a stronger public-private synergy for startups and the economy,” said Kimberly Fredericks, Dean of Sage’s School of Management. “His expertise as a mover and shaker in this arena will be a wonderful addition to our School of Management and an incredible resource for our students.”

“I am very excited to be part of the great culture and team at Sage,” said Manasier. I look forward to bringing experiential events, community services and practical business experiences and resources to the campuses and to the community through collaborative engagement with all in the ecosystem. My goal is that these projects will lead us to a new innovation center model for sustainable businesses in our region.”

In addition to its Entrepreneur-in-Residence, The School of Management also has an Executive-in-Residence. Gerald Shaye was appointed to the position in October of 2012 for his international expertise and to work with the school to further raise the profile of the School of Management.