Speaking
Building a Sustainable Tech Ecosystem in Tampa
Growing an innovation based economy requires more than proclamations and press releases. Innovation that drives new products, companies and jobs is often the result of one or two isolated founders and the grass roots community that encourages their growth. Pushing to change the old school model of economic development is the only way Tampa Bay (and other communities) are going to break their addiction to real estate and tourism. I have had the privilege to lead discussions for both tech and non-tech audiences and have helped business leaders and policy makers see that growing a tech ecosystem can be a win-win for the community.
Current projects include:
Helped to open and grow coworking facilities in Tampa, FL & Charleston, SC
Recruiting committee Tampa Bay Innovations Center – business accelerator
Economic development consulting and advocacy blog(s)
Past speaking engagements include:
Ignite Tampa Bay – Building a sustainable tech ecosystem Tampa Bay Inventors Council - Moving Beyond Ideas & Patents STARTec TecTalk - Start-up ABC’s & Coworking Hillsborough Board of County Commissions - Economic Stimulus Task ForceFastTrac Tech Venture Program for entrepreneurs
Global Entrepreneurship Week - Kauffman Foundation
BarCamp Tampa Bay
Univ. of S.Florida – Small Business Development Center
BarCamp Orlando
Software 2007
Tivoli Technical Users Conference
DEMO 2006
WiFi Planet Conference
Federal Wireless Users Forum
Wireless Security Seminar Series (Sponsored by AirDefense)
MIS Training Institute (MISTI) Panel on Enterprise Network Security
Transcend Business Services IT Security & Privacy Symposium
IT Forum
ISSA
Angelbeat
Network World Seminar Series
IMN Wireless on Wall Street Conference
Interviews & quotes:
January 2012 – Net Lease podcast – Evolution Advisors comments on Trends in Office Space – Coworking September 18, 2011 - Tampa Bay Times - Business Club in Ybor offers latest Coworking option in Tampa December 28, 2009 - Tampa Bay Business Journal - The cost of “FREE” social media March 14, 2009 - St. Pete Times - Economic Development November 18, 2008 - Tampa Bay Business Journal - Economic Development May 2008 - Tampa Bay Annual Corporate Guide - Profiles in Leadership P.13 May 9, 2008 - Tampa Bay Business Journal - Local Tech December 28, 2007 - Tampa Bay Business Journal - Local Tech March 9, 2007 - Tampa Bay Business Journal - Local Tech December 29, 2006 - Tampa Bay Business Journal - Local Tech October 20, 2006 - Tampa Bay Business Journal - Local Tech September 9, 2006 - St. Pete Times - Economic Development March 28, 2003 - Tampa Bay Business Journal - Local TechAssociations:
ACG, Florida Venture Forum, PDMA, NWEN, WSA, MIT Forum, StartupAlliance, Help Desk Institute, ISSA, IEEE, ARRL
Evolving a great idea into a product requires a mix of innovation, instinct and basic business discipline. Our mission is to help early stage founders understand startup challenges, build their confidence and establish their credibility. We sponsor workshops, coworking and other tech community events so that you never feel like you’re left swinging from a tree.