Meet the Executive Team

George Peters

Founder & President

george@neinvents.org

George is the President of New England Invents. George’s most successful venture to date has been helping to co-found KettlePizza in 2010. KettlePizza turns charcoal and gas grills into pizza ovens. KettlePizza products have been sold to people in more than 70 countries. KettlePizza has been a prize on The Price Is Right, showcased on the Today show, Boston’s Channel 5 segment Made in Massachusetts, National Hardware Show Best New Product. In 2019, Peters and Contarino were invited to the White House to represent Massachusetts and showcase KettlePizza as one of the country’s best ‘Made in America’ products.  Some of George’s other notable inventions include the What Now??? Evacuation Training Aid and the Mosquito Mitt. WHAT NOW??? is used to block doorways, stairwells, and hallways during evacuation drills. The product was a must have educational training innovation, and is used by GE, Raytheon, Fidelity Investment, schools, hospitals, and hundreds of other businesses around the world.  The reusable MITT allows for the user to spray repellant on the MITT, not directly onto yourself or someone else, therefore controlling where and how much repellant is applied. George secured multiple licensing agreements for the product. George resides in Haverhill, Massachusetts with his wife, two children, and their three grandchildren.

Morris Newman

Vice President, Project Development

morris@neinvents.org

Morris Newman is the Vice President for Project Development at New England Invents. Morris previously served for seven years as the Executive Director of the Pro Bono Advisory Council, a 501(c)(3) that assists the US Patent and Trademark Office with administering the patent pro bono legal services program. Morris, a 1975 graduate of the University of Connecticut previously had an over 40 – year federal career first as a research economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics and then as an agent of the National Labor Relations Board. Morris says: “It is an honor to assist the NEI in their mission empowering America’s independent inventors’ through education, access and advocacy.”

Steve Davis

Chief Operating Officer

steve@neinvents.org

Stephen Davis is a seasoned entrepreneur, business strategist, and visionary leader with a passion for nurturing startups and helping them navigate the complex world of entrepreneurship. With over three decades of experience in the startup ecosystem, he has been instrumental in the growth and success of numerous emerging companies.

Steve has been a mentor and adviser to entrepreneurs helping them improve business development, gain sales traction and has coached them on how to build profitable, scale-able and efficient businesses in preparation for venture financing. Engaging with hundreds of startups and small businesses worldwide each year, Steve serves as a judge, mentor and lecturer at some of the leading accelerators, business and technology forums including: MassChallenge, MIT, MIT Technology Forum, IBM SmartCamp, The Boston Foundation, The Kaufman Foundation, Parallel18, SeedCamp, Swissnex, TIE CON East and Venture Café.

Stephen co-founded The Startup Coalition, a dynamic organization dedicated to providing startups with the resources, mentorship, and strategic guidance they need to thrive. Additionally, Stephen founded the CXO Advisory Group, where he serves as an advisor to executives and founders. His expertise in fostering innovation, scaling businesses, strategic planning, developing and implementing sales strategies has made him an invaluable resource for startups and established companies alike.

Stephen is a sought-after speaker at conferences, seminars, and workshops, where he shares his insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of business. His engaging presentations and thought-provoking discussions inspire and motivate audiences to think creatively and strategically.

Chris Donovan

Director Strategic Development

chris@neinvents.org

Chris Donovan oversees strategic development for New England Invents.  Chris was a Business Development Executive for One Digital up until July 2022. One Digital is one of the largest insurance, financial services and HR consulting companies in the U.S. Before One Digital, Chris headed up business development for Amplified Insurance Partners until its acquisition by One Digital. Chris is a former director and a co-founder of the Startup Coalition, one of the most influential entrepreneurial resource groups in New England. Members of The Startup Coalition represent a variety of service industries, and collectively cover virtually all of the key services that startup entrepreneurs and companies need to scale and grow profitably. 

Finally, Chris headed up a global business development group for Raytheon for 14 years and has worked with inventors and entrepreneurs for 40 years and has served as a longtime advisor to MassChallenge, a global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges.  

Chris received his undergraduate degree at UMass-Amherst and his graduate degree at UConn Storrs. He resides in Holliston, MA with his wife, Susan. They have two children and one grandchild.