Stephen R. McDow II has more than 15 years of experience in business development. Mr. McDow provides marketing, outreach and partnership relations, public relations, program development, and event management services to small businesses, startups, nonprofits, and trade associations. Considered by others as a quintessential US national and international co-operator, Mr. McDow embodies and lives by the 7 Cooperative Principles and looks to promote cooperative enterprises as a way of bringing solidarity amongst rural, urban, and communities in-between to achieve a more inclusive economy. Stephen has collaborated with a group of passionate and committed co-op advocates to move the US cooperative movement forward at NCBA CLUSA, a regional co-op development center, and through his service as a board member at CooperationWorks!. His body of work delivers programs, education, outreach, and advocacy to farmers, workers, and community leaders from diverse backgrounds. Mr. McDow also has extensive experience bringing products to market and is excited about supporting entrepreneurs and innovators to achieve the American Dream. He has spoken and been interviewed nationally and internationally and feels it is his “calling” in life to help advance the one business model working to empower individuals from marginalized communities – The Co-operative Business Model!