ABOUT US
Founded in Tampa in 2015, Ark Applications focuses on helping companies realize their full potential through creating lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships. Whether through consulting or investment, we firmly believe that every engagement must reflect the core values of our business. We not only want to provide value for the businesses with which we consult, but also be the helping hand that enables them to be more successful. Nothing brings our team more happiness than seeing others succeed in their businesses, especially when we are an essential part of making that happen.
The team at Ark Applications creates meaningful change in the local community through philanthropy and continuous involvement with local businesses both large and small. The Tampa Bay area is a thriving ecosystem of hungry entrepreneurs eager to make an impact on the world, and it is our hope to assist these rising stars on their journey. As part of this commitment, our founding partners are heavily engaged in mentoring local entrepreneurs through their bumps in the road.
DANIEL D GRECO II, MBA
PARTNER
Daniel D. Greco II is a highly proficient Senior Executive, C-Suite Officer, Entrepreneur, Consultant, and Board Member with over 20 years of success across supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, higher education, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, insurance, and private equity. Leveraging extensive experience in operations management and organizational development, he is a valuable asset for innovative companies looking for leadership vision; strategic planning; process improvement; and growth. His broad areas of expertise include business strategy; financial analysis, forecasts, planning, and management; risk management; negotiation; Six Sigma; scaling; and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) integration.
Prior to joining Ark Applications, Dan served as Chief Operating Officer & General Manager of a lighting company based in Tampa, FL. Other experiences include working in high-profile operational assignments for world-class organizations such as BASF Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, and The Walt Disney Company.
Dan earned his BS in Consumer Studies from Syracuse University and a MBA in Supply Chain & Innovation Management from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. Dan and his wife reside in Tampa, FL with their three children.
EDUCATION | SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY - MBA, 2009 | SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY -B.S., Consumer Studies, 1998
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R. BOB SMITH III, Ph.D.
PARTNER
Bob Smith is the Executive Chairman of PAR, Inc. which he and his wife, Cathy, founded in 1978. Today, PAR is a leading publisher and developer of assessment products, software, apps, the PARiConnect online testing platform, and other related materials developed to meet the need of professionals in psychology, counseling, career counseling, and education. PAR has also recently spawned InVista, a new HR division within the company to help address finding exceptional talent for organizations. Prior to founding PAR, Bob worked as a practicing clinical psychologist. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the United States International University in 1970, and earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the State University of New York in Albany in 1973. Bob is active in the community and supports a variety of educational and charitable organizations including Meals on Wheels, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, the Straz Center for Performing Arts, Tampa Preparatory School, and The University of Tampa.
EDUCATION | STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK IN ALBANY - Ph.D., Pyschology 1973 | UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY - B.A., Pyschology, 1970
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JUSTIN SMITH, MBA
PARTNER
With over 10 years of experience in marketing, Justin has significant capabilities in promoting products and services. His entrepreneurial spirit has enabled him to manage project and bring ideas to life through careful planning and implementation. During his professional career he has spearheaded new areas of business including app development, video content generation, user interface design, and creative marketing efforts. As a creative problem solver, he strives to find simple solutions to complex problems. Justin Smith received is BA in Multimedia Design and Development from the American University in Washington, DC. He also recently earned his MBA from The University of Tampa’s Sykes Business School with a focus in Entrepreneurship.
EDUCATION | UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA - MBA, 2016 | AMERICAN UNIVERSITY - B.A., Multimedia Design and Development, 2003
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BRAYTON BOLINGER, MBA, MS
ADVISOR
With over eight years of experience managing teams, Brayton has a balanced approach between establishing operational efficiencies, motivating sales teams, and delivering a superior customer experience. His diverse skillset ranges from classic car restoration, carpentry, and furniture making to corporate strategy development and entrepreneurial ventures. Brayton has a passion for a challenge and harnesses his unique background to develop unique, holistic, and insightful business solutions to create real value for clients and customers. He received his BA in Exercise Science from Malone University in Canton, Ohio. He also recently attained his Master of Business Administration and Master of Marketing degrees from The University of Tampa’s Sykes College of Business..
EDUCATION | UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA - MBA, MS Marketing, 2016 | MALONE UNIVERSITY - B.A., Exercise Science, 2008
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JENNIFER FINNEY, MS
ADVISOR
Jennifer has worked extensively with startups and small businesses in the Tampa Bay Area. In both 2015 and 2016, Jennifer won the Hult Prize with the team she formed at the University of Tampa. In January of 2016 she spent two weeks in India building her company, Optimrkt, and working with micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses. Optimrkt was ranked in the top 30 among 20,000 Hult Prize social entrepreneurship teams around the world. Jennifer has also worked at Florida Funders, an investor network and online investing platform that helps accredited investors find and invest in early-stage Florida based companies. Jennifer is also an active partner in Social Venture Partners (SVP), a global network in over 40 cities and nine countries engaging over 3,500 active philanthropists where she was instrumental in launching first SVP Fast Pitch in Tampa in 2017. Currently, Jennifer is an employee benefits advisor at Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners.
EDUCATION | UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA - M.S., Business Entrepreneurship, 2017 | UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA - B.S., Public Health, 2016
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JESSICA WOLFE
ADVISOR
Jessica Wolfe is an entrepreneurial-minded Agile Coach, Certified Scrum Professional and soon to be Certified Agile Leader that has helped several technology teams achieve success in a fast and demanding environment. While working with amazing teams in the technology industry, she has actively contributed and become an expert in the software development life cycle, process improvement, and analysis of requirements, goals and planning. She is an active promoter of Agile throughout the Tampa Bay community, as well as organizer and host of Lean Coffee for All Things Agile. She possesses a passion for all things technology related which enables her to understand and help achieve software development excellence and lead teams in many capacities.
EDUCATION | ROWAN UNIVERSITY - B.S., Biological Sciences, 2007
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MARVIN SCAFF
ADVISOR
Marvin D. Scaff is a software entrepreneur and technologist. In his 35+ years of experience, Scaff has served as a founder, chief executive officer and chief technology officer. He has shipped multiple 1.0 products, and played a significant role in many successful companies. As Co-Founder and CTO of Adjoy, Marvin led the effort to secure $6.8M Series A investment from Almaz Capital and all 5 founders of Catalina Marketing along with other prominent investors. Adjoy is disrupting the CPG marketing technology industry.
EDUCATION | Studied Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - University of Kentucky (no degree) | Semantic Computing Summer Program - University of California | Lean Launchpad Entrepreneur Educators Program - Stanford University
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BEN A. VINSON, JR.
ADVISOR
Ben A. Vinson, Jr. has over 7 years of experience working in asbestos law, beginning his career at Fleming & Associates in Houston, TX. In 2012, Ben left Fleming and Associates and formed his own practice, Vinson Law PLLC, and continued working in asbestos-related law. In 2017, Ben Vinson was named US Supreme Court bar member, & “Officer of the Court” and was awarded the distinction of being recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyer for the State of Florida. Aside from his accomplishments in founding and growing Vinson Law, Ben also competed in IRONMAN clocking in at under 15 hours.
EDUCATION | SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW - Juris Doctor, 2011 | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS - B.A., Economics, 2003
VALUES
Our company was founded with the mantra of doing right by all parties involved. We aim to build a positive team and family spirit not only with our investments, but also our consulting opportunities. Business is not always about just the monetary aspect, but also adding value to relationships that are created along the way.
We strongly believe that we as a team should have a positive impact on the local community through our engagements, volunteering, and support of other local businesses. It is important to be part of the wave of change - a rising tide lifts all boats in the harbor.