University Economic Development Association

UEDA

2024 Summit Sponsorship

Summit Theme: Regionalism: Prosperity Through Collaboration

Co-Sponsored by:

2022 UEDA Summit Speakers

Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D.

Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D.

President, Norfolk State University

Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston is the seventh President of Norfolk State University. She began her tenure on June 24, 2019…

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Brian Austin

Brian Austin

Director of Employer Relations & Applied Learning, Shocker Career Accelerator

Since 2013, Brian has been helping small businesses, non-profits, and larger industry partners connect to Wichita State University students. …

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Dr. Margaret Bacheler

Dr. Margaret Bacheler

Director of Educational Initiatives, Angel Capital Association

Dr. Margaret Bacheler has over twenty two years of experience in adult education and entrepreneurship/investor educational programming…

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Esther Bailey

Esther Bailey

Professor of Practice, C. T. Bauer College of Business

Esther Bailey is a Professor of Practice at the C. T. Bauer College of Business. She teaches in the SURE℠ Program as well as the Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting elective course…

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Charlie Becker

Charlie Becker

Professor of Practice and Managing Director, SURE Program, University of Houston

Charlie Becker is a Professor of Practice and the Managing Director of the SURE Program. In this role, he is responsible for both the strategic direction and day to day operations of the SURE Program…

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Ryan Boerner

Ryan Boerner

Co-Founder & CEO, Keep Aware

Ryan has been working in the cybersecurity industry for over 4 years and has been a web developer for over a decade…

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David Brock

David Brock

Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) Manager and Small Business Specialist (SBS), NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Mr. Brock currently serves as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) Manager and Small Business Specialist (SBS) at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama…

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Craig Buerstatte

Craig Buerstatte

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs, U.S. Department of Economic Administration

Craig Buerstatte is an entrepreneurial public servant who is passionate about building teams, businesses, and communities for the future…

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Christine Burke, Ph.D. MBA

Christine Burke, Ph.D. MBA

Director, Commercialization and Technology Transfer, UTSA Office of Commercialization and Innovation

With over 20 years of entrepreneurial and commercialization experience, Christine has helped launch university startups and commercialize invention portfolios…

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Brad Clark

Brad Clark

Edelen Renewables, Director of Workforce Solutions

Brad Clark has a broad range of education, workforce, and economic development experience in the government, non-profit, for-profit, and philanthropic sectors along the cradle-to-gray continuum…

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Cullum Clark

Cullum Clark

Director, Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative

Cullum Clark is Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative and Adjunct Economics Professor at SMU…

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Cameron Cushman

Cameron Cushman

Assistant Vice President of Innovation Ecosystems, University of North Texas Health Science Center

Cameron Cushman is a Fort Worth native who has spent over fifteen years building entrepreneurial communities…

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Brian Darmody

Brian Darmody

Chief Strategy Officer, Association of University Research Parks (AURP)

Brian Darmody serves as Chief Strategy Office for AURP, a global nonprofit building communities of innovation in 42 states sponsored by universities, hospitals, government labs and cities.

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Walter D. Downing, P.E. (“Walt”)

Walter D. Downing, P.E. (“Walt”)

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

Walt Downing is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio, Texas…

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Taylor Eighmy

Taylor Eighmy

President, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Taylor Eighmy is the 6th president of The University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition, Eighmy serves as a member of the UTSA faculty as a professor with appointments…

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Timothy Elliott

Timothy Elliott

Managing Partner & Chief Visioneering Officer, Elliott Sidewalk Communities

Tim Elliott provides the vision, planning, and passion that bring all Elliott Sidewalk Communities to life…

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Shawn Farrell

Shawn Farrell

Assistant Vice President for Corporate and Foundation Engagement, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Shawn Farrell brings 25 years of experience—including a stint as a city manager— to The University of Texas at San Antonio as its Assistant Vice President for Corporate and Foundation Engagement…

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Megan Feeney

Megan Feeney

Director of Industry & Workforce Collaboration WSU Tech, Shocker Career Accelerator

Megan Feeney has served at Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences & Technology (WSU Tech) for 11 years…

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Margo Fliss

Margo Fliss

UEDA Secretary and 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…

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Rod Garvin

Rod Garvin

Manager, Economic Development Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLP

Rod is a consulting manager at Ernst & Young LLP in the Economic Development Advisory Services practice and is located in the Charlotte, NC office…

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Bernadette Grafton

Bernadette Grafton

Research and National Technical Assistance (RNTA) Program Coordinator and University Center Program Coordinator, U.S. Economic Development Administration

Bernadette Grafton has developed a breadth of experience and expertise across EDA’s programs, systems, and processes….

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Dominique Halaby

Dominique Halaby

UEDA Vice President and 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…

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Heather Hanson

Heather Hanson

President, BioMedSA

Ms. Hanson has worked as an engineer and executive to accomplish all aspects of
medical device development…

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David Hensley

David Hensley

Iowa JPEC Executive Director and Clinical Professor in Management & Entrepreneurship, University of Iowa

David Hensley is the Executive Director of the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and is a Clinical Professor in Management & Entrepreneurship in the Tippie College of Business…

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Amanda Lee Keammerer

Amanda Lee Keammerer

Managing Director, gener8tor Cybersecurity Accelerator and the founder and CEO of Javilud

Amanda is currently the Managing Director of the gener8tor Cybersecurity Accelerator and the founder and CEO of Javilud…

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Dr. Saleha Khumawala

Dr. Saleha Khumawala

Professor and Founding Director, SURE Program, University of Houston

Dr. Saleha Khumawala is the Robert Grinaker Professor of Accounting, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Inclusion and the Visionary & Founding Director of the SURE℠ (Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship) Program…

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Pava LaPere

Pava LaPere

CEO & Cofounder, EcoMap Technologies

Pava LaPere is the CEO & cofounder of EcoMap Technologies, a rapidly-growing company that makes ecosystems more accessible by curating detailed data on the assets that exist within them…

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Nigel LeBlanc

Nigel LeBlanc

Founder and CEO of Cyber Warrior Network

Nigel has proudly served in the US Air Force since 1999 and has been fortunate to return home safely after 3 tours in Iraq & Afghanistan….

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Sheila Martin

Sheila Martin

Principal, Triple Helix Partnerships

Sheila has over 30 years of experience analyzing regional economies, developing and implementing technology based economic development strategies, and building collaborative capacity within regions…

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Luis Martínez

Luis Martínez

Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Trinity University

Luis Martínez is the Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Trinity University where he teaches courses in entrepreneurship and innovation; mentors student startups…

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Bijo Mathew

Bijo Mathew

Director, UTSA SBDC Technology Commercialization Center

Bijo Mathew serves as the Founding Director to the Technology Commercialization Center of the South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Lead Network at The University of Texas at San Antonio…

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Rodrick McSherry

Rodrick McSherry

Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

Mr. Rod McSherry serves as the Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development at The University of Texas at San Antonio…

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James B. Milliken

James B. Milliken

Chancellor, The University of Texas System

James B. Milliken, a national leader of public higher education with more than 30 years of experience, was named chancellor of The University of Texas System in September 2018…

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Russell W. Mills, Ph.D.

Russell W. Mills, Ph.D.

UEDA President Elect and 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…

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Carlos Mosqueda

Carlos Mosqueda

CXO, Hertzian

Three time co-founder with a passion for solving problems through design...

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Alvaro J. Muñiz, J.D.

Alvaro J. Muñiz, J.D.

Director, Office for International, Community, and Economic Engagement, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)

Alvaro J. Muñiz joined APLU in March 2022 and serves as Director for International, Community, and Economic Engagement...

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Thyagarajan Nandagopal

Thyagarajan Nandagopal

Division Director of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems (ITE), National Science Foundation

Dr. Thyaga Nandagopal serves in the Directorate of Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP). He is the Division Director for the Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems (ITE)…

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Teresa Merriweather Orok, PhD

Teresa Merriweather Orok, PhD

Professor and Executive Director Alabama A&M University – Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Development

Dr. Teresa Merriweather Orok is an expert on economic and business innovation. While her career spans more than 30 years of experience across grants, government contract management, economic development, government, and higher education…

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Edgar Padilla

Edgar Padilla

Manager, Economic Development Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLP

Edgar is a manager with Economic Development Advisory Services at Ernst & Young LLP. His primary role includes direct support in all areas of client engagement and success…

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John Provo

John Provo

UEDA Past President and Director, Office of Economic Development, Virginia Tech

John Provo is the director of Virginia Tech’s Office of Economic Development. Provo provides leadership for the university in the design and implementation of its economic engagement…

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Rebecca Robinson

Rebecca Robinson

UEDA President and Chief Corporate Engagement & Economic Development Officer, Kansas State University Innovation Partners

Rebecca is the Chief Corporate Engagement & Economic Development Officer at Kansas State University Innovation Partners, where she leads the organization’s corporate engagement…

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Jeff Sachse

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…

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Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe

Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe

President, Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race

Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe is the founder and President of the Women’s Institute for Science, Equity and Race. She was named a Black Scholar You Should Know by TheBestSchools.org and BlackEnterprise.com…

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Jennifer Shieh

Jennifer Shieh

Director of Ecosystem Development, Office of Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration

Jennifer Shieh works to build an inclusive innovation ecosystem in the SBA Office of Investment and Innovation, where she previously served as Chief Scientist of America’s Seed Fund for technology commercialization…

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Brittany Sickler

Brittany Sickler

Networks Program Manager, U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)

Brittany Sickler currently leads EDA’s new Networks division, which seeks to strengthen economic development strategies and create the conditions needed to share actionable insights across the economic development landscape…

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Jerome Smith

Jerome Smith

Co-Director, MIT Venture Mentoring Service

Jerome Smith serves as a Co-Director of and volunteer mentor for the MIT VMS Outreach Training Program…

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Andy Stoll

Andy Stoll

Senior Program Officer, Entrepreneurship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Andy Stoll is a senior program officer at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he is responsible for the implementation and management of the Foundation’s ecosystem…

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Shane Tedder

Shane Tedder

Campus Sustainability Officer, University of Kentucky

For the past 20 years, Shane has developed and managed interdisciplinary programs and policies with a focus on sustainability, transformational learning, and the use of the campus as a living lab/classroom…

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Diane Tinker Hurst

Diane Tinker Hurst

Project Manager Industry Engagement & Applied Learning, Wichita State University

Diane Tinker Hurst is a highly connected, engaged Project Manager in Industry & Defense Programs at Wichita State University, working with Industry Engagement & Applied Learning….

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Ilana Valinsky

Ilana Valinsky

Management and Program Analyst on the Performance, Research, and National Technical Assistance Division (PRNTAD), U.S. Economic Development Administration

Ilana’s portfolio consists of managing research awards and general programmatic support…

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Dr. Rukmani Vijayaraghavan

Dr. Rukmani Vijayaraghavan

Innovation and Market Transformation Advisor, Water Power Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy

Dr. Rukmani Vijayaraghavan serves in DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office as the Innovation and Market Transformation Advisor…

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Dr. Cynthia Warrick, PhD RPh

Dr. Cynthia Warrick, PhD RPh

President, Stillman College

Dr. Cynthia Warrick is the 7th President and first female to lead Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama….

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Tonya Witherspoon

Tonya Witherspoon

Associate Vice President Industry Engagement and Applied Learning, Wichita State University

Tonya Witherspoon is the Associate Vice President for Applied Learning and Industry Engagement at Wichita State University. Tonya has spent the last twenty years in technology, innovation, and education…

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Charles Woodin

Charles Woodin

CEO, Geekdom

Charles’ career journey has moved him quickly to various roles from Business Development Manager to Membership Director to now CEO of Geekdom…

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Greg Wright

Greg Wright

Founder, Spark Towns

Named the “Innovator to Watch” in the arts by Wisconsin Biz Times in 2015, Greg Wright transformed a local arts advocacy organization into a people-centered, new-model economic development organization that leverages creativity as the key resource of vibrant communities…

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Marcela (Marce) Andrea Zuchovicki

Marcela (Marce) Andrea Zuchovicki

UEDA Treasurer and President & 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…

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Awards of Excellence Presenters

Coming soon!

University Economic Development Association

PO Box 97930
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
216.200.UEDA (8332)
info@www.universityeda.org