UEDA 2021
SUMMIT
September 19 - 22, 2021
UEDA Summit 2021 Speakers
Trent Armbrust
Chief Strategy Officer, Kansas Department of Commerce
Trent Armbrust joined Commerce following seven years in Economic Development for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. Armbrust is leading efforts to develop…
James M. Bailey
President and CEO, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)
Committed to living by his personal motto,“Build As We Climb”, change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur and emerging philanthropist…
Kimberly Ballard-Washington, J.D.
President, Savannah State University
Richard (RJ) Berry
Former Mayor, Albuquerque
Former Mayor Richard (RJ) Berry served as the mayor of Albuquerque from 2009 to 2017. Known for his nonpartisan approach …
Camille Burnett
Vice President of Education and Health Equity, Virginia Commonwealth University
Dr. Burnett Dr. Burnett received her PhD from the University of Western Ontario, her Masters at the University of Western Ontario, and her BScN from the University of Alberta…
Daniel Calto
Global Director of Solution Services for Research Intelligence, Elsevier
Daniel Calto is Director of Solution Services for the Research Intelligence group at Elsevier Inc. He currently oversees a global consulting team and works on special projects internationally…
Matt Colvin
Director of Economic Development, University of Georgia
Matt is currently the director of economic development at the University of Georgia. He connects UGA’s research expertise with economic development efforts that help communities across Georgia….
Alex Cooley
Director of Economic Development, Dallas College
Alex Cooley currently serves as the Director of Economic Development at Dallas College. In this role he is responsible for overseeing…
Rosanna Cruz-Bibb
Archway Professional, UGA Archway Partnership
Rosanna Cruz-Bibb has been with the Archway Partnership for nine years. She currently serves as the Archway Professional in Hart County…
Matt Dunne
Founder and Executive Director, Center on Rural Innovation
Blake Flanders, Ph.D.
President & CEO, Kansas Board of Regents
Blake Flanders serves as President and CEO for the Kansas Board of Regents. The Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state’s six…
Margo Fliss
Manager of Strategic Engagement, University of Alaska Center for Economic Development
Margo leads facilitation, strategic planning, and client services for CED. Previously, she served as CED’s Lead Analyst and worked in the education sector…
Andrew Frazier, CFA
Founder of Small Business Pro University (SBProU)
Andrew Frazier is an expert business coach, consultant, and trainer who has worked 1-on-1 with 500+ business owners and taught thousands about business….
Kent Glasscock
President, Kansas State University Innovation Partners
Kent Glasscock is the president of the Kansas State University Innovation Partners (KSU-IP). KSU-IP deploys technological…
Bernadette Grafton
Program Analyst and University Center Coordinator, U.S. Economic Development Administration
Bernadette Grafton supports communities facing economic challenges and environmental burdens, such as brownfields, in a sustainable process that facilitates understanding….
Dominique Halaby
Director, Business Innovation Group, Georgia Southern University
Dominique Halaby, D.P.A. is the Director of the Business Innovation Group (BIG) at Georgia Southern University. BIG includes the Center for Business Analytics and…
Suzanne Hallman
Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship Education, Business Innovation Group, Georgia Southern University
Suzanne Hallman organizes and manages many of the Business Innovation Group’s student events and programs…
Betsy Hodges
47th Mayor, Minneapolis
Former Mayor Betsy Hodges served as the 47th mayor of Minneapolis. During her time as mayor, Hodges focused on entrepreneurial support…
Genna Hurd
Associate Researcher Institute for Policy and Research, University of Kansas
Genna Hurd is an Associate Researcher for the Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) at the University of Kansas and Co-Investigator for the KU University Center, KU Entrepreneurship Works for Kansas…
Angel Jackson
Public Service Associate, UGA Archway Partnership
Angel Jackson joined the Archway Partnership in January of 2010. She has served in various capacities and has been responsible for communications, budget and finance, human resources…
Sly James
54th Mayor, Kansas City, Missouri
Former Mayor Sly James served as the 54th mayor of Kansas City, Missouri from 2011 to 2019. James was the second African American…
Michelle Johnston, Ph.D
President, College of Coastal Georgia
On July 23, 2018, Dr. Michelle Johnston became the sixth president of the College of Coastal Georgia. Her top priorities for the College are…
Melissa M. Lubin, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Professional & Continuing Education and Chief Economic Engagement Officer, James Madison University
Melissa Lubin became the Dean for Professional & Continuing Education at James Madison University in 2016. In this role, she oversees a broad and deep portfolio…
Dr. Kyle Marrero
President, Georgia Southern University
Sheila Martin
Vice President for Economic Development and Community Engagement, Association of Public and Land Grant Universities
Russell W. Mills, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Center for Regional Development, Bowling Green State University
Russell W. Mills, Ph.D. is the Senior Director of the Center for Regional Development at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Dr. Mills leads CRD’s Economic Development…
Kena Nicol
Data Visualization & GIS Analyst, Dallas College
Kena Nicol began her career with Dallas College in 2019 as a Department Assistant in the Labor Market Intelligence Center, where she gained the skills to use labor market…
Sam Perren
Archway Professional, University of Georgia
Sam Perren joined the Archway Partnership in January 2017, working with Colquitt and Pulaski counties. He became the Archway professional in McDuffie County in 2018...
Stephanie Pierce
Economic Development & Entrepreneur Relations Manager, K-State Innovation Partners, Kansas State University
Julia Potter
Retired, California State University, Northridge
Julia recently retired from her 14-year career at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). During her tenure at CSUN, Julia served in several roles…
John Provo
UEDA President & Director, Office of Economic Development, Virginia Tech
Dr. Stuart Rayfield
Vice Chancellor of Leadership and Institutional Development, University System of Georgia
Rebecca Robinson
Chief Corporate Engagement & Economic Development Officer, Kansas State University Innovation Partners
Jeff Sachse
Director, Center for Customized Research & Services and Economic Development, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Jeff Sachse serves as the Director of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Center for Customized Research and Services and Economic Development…
Brittany Standifer
Archway Professional
Brittany serves as the Archway Professional in Griffin + Spalding County. She joined Archway in December 2020 after working for the State of Georgia’s Office…
Danielle Stellrecht
Senior Director, Customer Relationship Management, Dallas College
At Dallas College in the Economic Opportunity division, Ms. Stellrecht serves as the Sr. Director, Customer Relationship Management…
Andy Stoll
Senior Program Officer, Entrepreneurship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Dr. T. Ramon Stuart
President, Clayton State University
Nicholas Swartz
Associate Dean, James Madison University School of Professional & Continuing Education
I began my career at JMU in 2008 as an Assistant Professor of Public Policy & Administration in the Department of Political Science…
David Tanner
Associate Director, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Mr. David Tanner is the Associate Director of the State Services and Decision Support Division at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia…
Lee Thomas
Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office
Dr. Houssam A. Toutanji
Dean of the College of Engineering & Computer Science, California State University, Northridge
Dr. Houssam Toutanji, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Prior to joining CSUN, he served….
Paul Umbach
Founder, Tripp Umbach
Paul Umbach founded Tripp Umbach in 1990 and serves as President overseeing a skilled team of respected and trusted consultants...
Dr. Marti Venn
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Board of Regents-University System
Dr. Marti Venn is Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with the Board of Regents-University System of Georgia. She has 19 years as an academic administrator from department…
George Ward
Executive Director, University of Kentucky
George Ward leads the University of Kentucky’s economic development activities and oversees development at the Coldstream Research Campus. George interacts…
Cecilia Wessinger
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builder and Founder, Mass Collaboration
Cecilia Wessinger is an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and founder of Mass Collaboration. Her work is centered on collaboration…
Pat Wilson
Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)
Pat Wilson was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) by Governor Nathan Deal in November 2016…
Tonya Witherspoon
Associate Vice President, Industry Engagement & Applied Learning, Wichita State University
Tonya Witherspoon’s passion for innovation and education has fueled her success in connecting industry leaders with faculty and students at Wichita State University…
Jim Woodell
Principal, Jim Woodell & Company
Dr. James K. (Jim) Woodell helps higher education institutions to demonstrate their value to economic and societal growth within their communities and regions…
Bohsiu Wu
Associate Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, California State University, Northridge
Bohsiu Wu is the Associate Dean for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at California State University Northridge…
Marcela (Marce) Andrea Zuchovicki
President and CEO, Jalima & Associates Strategic Management Solutions
Marce is an experienced business owner with clients ranging from universities, not-for-profit organizations, F2000 companies, government institutions to start-ups…
Awards of Excellence Presenters
Michael Aikens – Director, Tennessee Tech University, Office of Research and Economic Development
Lynn Allendorf – Director, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, University of Iowa
Failautusi Avegalio – Director, University of Hawaii Pacific Business Center Program
Jessica Beaver – Associate Director, Florida Atlantic University Tech Runway
Shannon Blevins – Vice Chancellor, Administration, Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives, University of Virginia’s College at Wise
Kelly Brozyna – America’s SBDC New Jersey (NJSBDC)
Mike Davis – Executive Advisor to the President, James Madison University
Alan Durham – Manager and IEDC Economic Development Course Director, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute
Debra Franklin – AVP Strategic Initiatives, Wichita State University
Suzanne Hallman – Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship Education, Georgia Southern Business Innovation Group (BIG)
David Hensley – Executive Director & Clinical Professor, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, University of Iowa
Leigh Hopkins – Sr. Project Manager, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute
Julia LaVigne – University of Alaska Center for Economic Development
Eric McRae – Associate Director; Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Jenny Miller – Senior Director of Ecosystem Development, UMKC Innovation Center
Michael Park – Program Manager, Western Illinois University
Julia Potter – Retired, California State University, Northridge
Jeff Sachse – Director, Center for Customized Research and Services University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Arjun Sanga – President, WiSys
Renee Shelton – Commercialization Specialist, University of North Dakota Center for Innovation
David Tanner – Associate Director, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Dana Vouglitois, J.D., CLP – Assistant Director, Office of Technology Development, Florida Atlantic University
James “Jim” Walker – FabLab Shop Manager, Georgia Southern Business Innovation Group (BIG)
George Ward – Executive Director, University of Kentucky Coldstream Research Campus
Sponsors
University Economic Development Association
PO Box 97930
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
216.200.UEDA (8332)
info@universityeda.org
