The OCTANe executive management team brings a wide range of technology industry experience to the day-to-day role of connecting people and ideas with capital and resources in Orange County’s dynamic technology ecosystem.
Matthew Jenusaitis, President & CEO
Matthew Jenusaitis joined as the president and CEO of OCTANe in June 2009. Prior to OCTANe, Matthew spent 15 years at Boston Scientific, where he served in numerous executive marketing and general management positions. Matthew was also an executive in residence for the private equity firm Warburg Pincus and President of ev3 Neurovascular, one of Warburg’s portfolio companies.
Matthew sits on the boards of Avantis Medical in Sunnyvale, California; Creagh Medical in Galway, Ireland; Precision Wire Components in Portland, Oregon; and Pulsar Vascular in San Jose, California. He also sits on the advisory boards of Cornell’s School of Biomedical Engineering, the Chapman University Schmid College of Science and Technology, and the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. Matthew holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, cum laude, from Cornell University, a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University, and a MBA from UC Irvine.
Luis Vasquez, VP Entrepreneurship
Luis is responsible for OCTANe’s LaunchPadTM initiative. In this role, he brings together OCTANe’s resources and network to evaluate, mentor, and guide entrepreneurs and start-up companies. He has worked with over 730 companies and developed a network of over 800 people who are eager to provide resources to help LaunchPad companies achieve success. Prior to joining OCTANe, Luis was the CEO of a start-up nanotechnology sensor company created to commercialize technology developed at Caltech. He also worked for Morgan Stanley Institutional Securities Management in New York City and XBRL-US, where he was part of the team that developed the XBRL US GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy under contract with the SEC. Luis started his career at McMaster-Carr in sales, marketing, operations, and telecommunications management. Luis has a BS from UC Riverside and an MBA from UC Irvine.
Christina Alexopoulos, Director of New Business Development
Christina joined the OCTANe team in March 2013 as the Director of Business Development and is responsible for OCTANe’s outreach efforts and recruitment of sponsors and new members. Prior to joining OCTANe, Christina worked in development for three and a half years at the Schmid College of Science & Technology at Chapman University where she focused on fundraising, outreach, and program marketing. She is currently Adjunct faculty in the Voice Department in the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music in the College of Performing Arts at Chapman University. Christina received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from Mannes College The New School for Music in New York, NY. Christina taught voice in New York City public high schools through the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s Outreach Program and has performed in many concerts and opera’s in New York, NY, Florence, Italy, Helsinki, Finland, St. Petersburg, Russia, Los Angeles, California, the Baltic States and many more.
Janelle Brunette, Operations Manager
Janelle joined the OCTANe team in September of 2008 and focuses on program management, membership, finances, and other operational activities for the team. She also runs the OCTANe TalentEngine, and assists in writing grants for OCTANe Foundation for Innovation, the company’s charitable arm. Prior to joining OCTANe, Janelle was an Executive Assistant at the Yorba Linda/Placentia YMCA, where she focused on fundraising, project management, and community outreach. Janelle received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Los Angeles with a double emphasis in Business Law and Marketing.
Marek Mandau, LaunchPadTM SBDC Analyst
Marek Mandau joined OCTANe as the LaunchPadTM SBDC Analyst in July 2012. His role with OCTANe is to track and analyze LaunchPad performance metrics to support the success of the LaunchPad initiative. Prior to OCTANe, he collectively spent 10 years in academic research with Rutgers University, Rockefeller University, and University of California – Irvine, performing and analyzing novel qualitative and quantitative research and managing research systems. Marek received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science with an emphasis in Neuroscience from Rutgers University.
Jennifer Syfers, Events Manager
Jennifer joined the OCTANe team in early 2012 and is responsible for producing OCTANe’s weekly program series. OCTANe’s weekly programs include Capital Connections, Innovation Series, Strategic Growth Series, Firstys, and select other private events. Prior to OCTANe, Jennifer was the Special Events Coordinator for Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce where she managed large events including the Taste of Newport and the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts from Cal State Long Beach with an emphasis in Marketing.
Jessica Turner, Executive Administrator
Jessica joined the OCTANe team in July 2012 and is responsible for assisting Matthew and the rest of the team in day to day tasks. Jessica came from Covidien as their R&D’s receptionist/ administrative assistant. She is currently working towards her Paralegal degree and Administration of Justice certificate.
