Igniting America's Next Frontier
Reno, March 5-7, 2018
BLUEPRINT
Featured Speakers
Governor
State of Nevada
Brian Sandoval
Esther Dyson
Executive Founder
Way to Wellville
Tim O'Reilly
Founder, Chairman & CEO
O'Reilly Media
Founding Partner SoftBank Vision Fund
Michael Ronen
Kate Behncken
Microsoft TechSpark Initiative
Microsoft
Jesse Haines
Grow with Google
Vice President Tech Modernization
Walmart
Chris Enslin
Jason Illian
Managing Director
Koch Disruptive Technologies
Ira Ehrenpreis
Co-founder and Managing Partner
DBL Ventures
How tech companies can increase higher paying jobs across America and expand economic opportunity for all. Why tech companies are capitalizing on HQ2 opportunities beyond the coasts, supporting growth, and spreading prosperity across America.
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Tour of major tech expansion success stories in Reno, followed by BLUEPRINT kick-off event
Inspirational keynotes, success stories and panel discussions accompanied by several small-group working sessions with all participants
Bringing together all of Day 2’s work, announcements of critical new initiatives, and visionary keynote
2018 Speakers
and more...
Founding Partner SoftBank Vision Fund
Michael is Managing Partner of Softbank Investment Advisers where he focuses on investing in next-generation Automotive and Transportation companies, as well as Artificial Intelligence and Communications companies. Michael joined Softbank in 2017 after 19 years at Goldman Sachs where most recently he was a Partner Managing Director and served as co-chief operating officer of the Global Technology, Media and Telecom Group and a member of the Investment Banking Operating Committee. Michael was a member of Goldman Sachs’ M&A Group and the founder of the Automotive Technology effort at Goldman Sachs. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Michael served as a non-commissioned officer in the Israeli Air Force Intelligence Corps and later worked as an attorney, specializing in bankruptcies and financial restructurings. Michael earned an LLB (JD) from Tel-Aviv University in 1994 and an MBA, with distinction, from the Stern School of Business at NYU in 1998.
Kevin Klowden is the executive director of the Milken Institute’s Center for Regional Economics and California Center. He specializes in the study of key factors that underlie the development of competitive regional economies (clusters of innovation, patterns of trade and investment, and concentration of skilled labor), and how these are influenced by public policy and in turn affect regional economies. On a national level, he is heavily involved in issues of capital access for small business, including serving on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Finance Advisory Committee as co-chair. He also helps to coordinate the Partnership for Lending in Underserved Markets initiative with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which focuses on funding for African-American and Latino small businesses. His areas of expertise include technology-based development, capital access, infrastructure, the global economy, media, and entertainment.
Klowden was the lead author of “Strategies for Expanding California’s Exports,” which examined the vital role trade and exports play in the state economy, and its underperformance relative to the country over the past decade. Further work on trade and investment has included “A Golden Opportunity with China: How California Can Become an Even Bigger Destination for Chinese Foreign Investment.” He has also written on the role of transportation infrastructure in economic growth and job creation in reports such as “California’s Highway Infrastructure: Traffic’s Looming Cost” and “Jobs for America: Investments and Policies for Economic Growth and Competitiveness,” as well as in publications including The Wall Street Journal.
He has addressed the role of technology-based development in publications such as the “2014 State Technology and Science Index,” “North America’s High-Tech Economy,” and location-specific studies on Arkansas and Arizona. In addition, Klowden was the lead author of several studies on the economics of the entertainment industry, including “New Skills at Work: Keeping Los Angeles at the Cutting Edge in an Evolving Industry,” “A Hollywood Exit: What California Must Do to Remain Competitive in Entertainment—and Keep Jobs, “Fighting Production Flight: Improving California’s Filmed Entertainment Tax Credit Program," “Film Flight: Lost Production and Its Economic Impact in California,” and “The Writers’ Strike of 2007-2008: The Economic Impact of Digital Distribution”—each of which analyzes the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry.
Klowden is a frequent speaker on state fiscal issues and has served on multiple advisory boards on business growth, economic development, and infrastructure. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and London School of Economics.
Kevin Klowden is the executive director of the Milken Institute’s Center for Regional Economics and California Center. He specializes in the study of key factors that underlie the development of competitive regional economies (clusters of innovation, patterns of trade and investment, and concentration of skilled labor), and how these are influenced by public policy and in turn affect regional economies. On a national level, he is heavily involved in issues of capital access for small business, including serving on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Finance Advisory Committee as co-chair. He also helps to coordinate the Partnership for Lending in Underserved Markets initiative with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which focuses on funding for African-American and Latino small businesses. His areas of expertise include technology-based development, capital access, infrastructure, the global economy, media, and entertainment.
Klowden was the lead author of “Strategies for Expanding California’s Exports,” which examined the vital role trade and exports play in the state economy, and its underperformance relative to the country over the past decade. Further work on trade and investment has included “A Golden Opportunity with China: How California Can Become an Even Bigger Destination for Chinese Foreign Investment.” He has also written on the role of transportation infrastructure in economic growth and job creation in reports such as “California’s Highway Infrastructure: Traffic’s Looming Cost” and “Jobs for America: Investments and Policies for Economic Growth and Competitiveness,” as well as in publications including The Wall Street Journal.
He has addressed the role of technology-based development in publications such as the “2014 State Technology and Science Index,” “North America’s High-Tech Economy,” and location-specific studies on Arkansas and Arizona. In addition, Klowden was the lead author of several studies on the economics of the entertainment industry, including “New Skills at Work: Keeping Los Angeles at the Cutting Edge in an Evolving Industry,” “A Hollywood Exit: What California Must Do to Remain Competitive in Entertainment—and Keep Jobs, “Fighting Production Flight: Improving California’s Filmed Entertainment Tax Credit Program," “Film Flight: Lost Production and Its Economic Impact in California,” and “The Writers’ Strike of 2007-2008: The Economic Impact of Digital Distribution”—each of which analyzes the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry.
Klowden is a frequent speaker on state fiscal issues and has served on multiple advisory boards on business growth, economic development, and infrastructure. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and London School of Economics.
Kevin Klowden is the executive director of the Milken Institute’s Center for Regional Economics and California Center. He specializes in the study of key factors that underlie the development of competitive regional economies (clusters of innovation, patterns of trade and investment, and concentration of skilled labor), and how these are influenced by public policy and in turn affect regional economies. On a national level, he is heavily involved in issues of capital access for small business, including serving on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Finance Advisory Committee as co-chair. He also helps to coordinate the Partnership for Lending in Underserved Markets initiative with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which focuses on funding for African-American and Latino small businesses. His areas of expertise include technology-based development, capital access, infrastructure, the global economy, media, and entertainment.
Klowden was the lead author of “Strategies for Expanding California’s Exports,” which examined the vital role trade and exports play in the state economy, and its underperformance relative to the country over the past decade. Further work on trade and investment has included “A Golden Opportunity with China: How California Can Become an Even Bigger Destination for Chinese Foreign Investment.” He has also written on the role of transportation infrastructure in economic growth and job creation in reports such as “California’s Highway Infrastructure: Traffic’s Looming Cost” and “Jobs for America: Investments and Policies for Economic Growth and Competitiveness,” as well as in publications including The Wall Street Journal.
He has addressed the role of technology-based development in publications such as the “2014 State Technology and Science Index,” “North America’s High-Tech Economy,” and location-specific studies on Arkansas and Arizona. In addition, Klowden was the lead author of several studies on the economics of the entertainment industry, including “New Skills at Work: Keeping Los Angeles at the Cutting Edge in an Evolving Industry,” “A Hollywood Exit: What California Must Do to Remain Competitive in Entertainment—and Keep Jobs, “Fighting Production Flight: Improving California’s Filmed Entertainment Tax Credit Program," “Film Flight: Lost Production and Its Economic Impact in California,” and “The Writers’ Strike of 2007-2008: The Economic Impact of Digital Distribution”—each of which analyzes the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry.
Klowden is a frequent speaker on state fiscal issues and has served on multiple advisory boards on business growth, economic development, and infrastructure. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and London School of Economics.
Kevin Klowden is the executive director of the Milken Institute’s Center for Regional Economics and California Center. He specializes in the study of key factors that underlie the development of competitive regional economies (clusters of innovation, patterns of trade and investment, and concentration of skilled labor), and how these are influenced by public policy and in turn affect regional economies. On a national level, he is heavily involved in issues of capital access for small business, including serving on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Finance Advisory Committee as co-chair. He also helps to coordinate the Partnership for Lending in Underserved Markets initiative with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which focuses on funding for African-American and Latino small businesses. His areas of expertise include technology-based development, capital access, infrastructure, the global economy, media, and entertainment.
Klowden was the lead author of “Strategies for Expanding California’s Exports,” which examined the vital role trade and exports play in the state economy, and its underperformance relative to the country over the past decade. Further work on trade and investment has included “A Golden Opportunity with China: How California Can Become an Even Bigger Destination for Chinese Foreign Investment.” He has also written on the role of transportation infrastructure in economic growth and job creation in reports such as “California’s Highway Infrastructure: Traffic’s Looming Cost” and “Jobs for America: Investments and Policies for Economic Growth and Competitiveness,” as well as in publications including The Wall Street Journal.
He has addressed the role of technology-based development in publications such as the “2014 State Technology and Science Index,” “North America’s High-Tech Economy,” and location-specific studies on Arkansas and Arizona. In addition, Klowden was the lead author of several studies on the economics of the entertainment industry, including “New Skills at Work: Keeping Los Angeles at the Cutting Edge in an Evolving Industry,” “A Hollywood Exit: What California Must Do to Remain Competitive in Entertainment—and Keep Jobs, “Fighting Production Flight: Improving California’s Filmed Entertainment Tax Credit Program," “Film Flight: Lost Production and Its Economic Impact in California,” and “The Writers’ Strike of 2007-2008: The Economic Impact of Digital Distribution”—each of which analyzes the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry.
Klowden is a frequent speaker on state fiscal issues and has served on multiple advisory boards on business growth, economic development, and infrastructure. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and London School of Economics.
Chris Enslin is dedicated to creating more efficient and sustainable operations at Walmart. His team uses cutting-edge technologies like computer vision, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) to drive operational efficiency and increase transparency in the supply chain.
As Vice President of GBS Digital Solutions, Chris oversees the emerging technology and engineering teams responsible for manufacturing, oil and gas, real estate and global governance. He also manages the development and deployment of enterprise platforms for IoT, Blockchain, automation intelligence, workflow management, enterprise resource planning and integration technologies.
Since joining Walmart in 2011, Chris has led several technology and engineering teams, including Walmart's retail store systems, finance, human resource, indirect procurement and technology modernization. Most recently, he led the Walmart's HR transformation and people analytics organizations.
Prior to Walmart, Chris held several information technology positions with global corporations, such as Dell, Pepsi-Cola, Siemens and others. He graduated from the University of South Africa, where he studied Data Metrics and Computer Science.
Chris Enslin is dedicated to creating more efficient and sustainable operations at Walmart. His team uses cutting-edge technologies like computer vision, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) to drive operational efficiency and increase transparency in the supply chain.
As Vice President of GBS Digital Solutions, Chris oversees the emerging technology and engineering teams responsible for manufacturing, oil and gas, real estate and global governance. He also manages the development and deployment of enterprise platforms for IoT, Blockchain, automation intelligence, workflow management, enterprise resource planning and integration technologies.
Since joining Walmart in 2011, Chris has led several technology and engineering teams, including Walmart's retail store systems, finance, human resource, indirect procurement and technology modernization. Most recently, he led the Walmart's HR transformation and people analytics organizations.
Prior to Walmart, Chris held several information technology positions with global corporations, such as Dell, Pepsi-Cola, Siemens and others. He graduated from the University of South Africa, where he studied Data Metrics and Computer Science.
Chris Enslin is dedicated to creating more efficient and sustainable operations at Walmart. His team uses cutting-edge technologies like computer vision, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) to drive operational efficiency and increase transparency in the supply chain.
As Vice President of GBS Digital Solutions, Chris oversees the emerging technology and engineering teams responsible for manufacturing, oil and gas, real estate and global governance. He also manages the development and deployment of enterprise platforms for IoT, Blockchain, automation intelligence, workflow management, enterprise resource planning and integration technologies.
Since joining Walmart in 2011, Chris has led several technology and engineering teams, including Walmart's retail store systems, finance, human resource, indirect procurement and technology modernization. Most recently, he led the Walmart's HR transformation and people analytics organizations.
Prior to Walmart, Chris held several information technology positions with global corporations, such as Dell, Pepsi-Cola, Siemens and others. He graduated from the University of South Africa, where he studied Data Metrics and Computer Science.
Esther Dyson(@edyson on twitter) is executive founder of Way to Wellville (@WaytoWellville), a ten-year, nonprofit project devoted cultivating community health (not health care) with the ultimate goal of inspiring other communities and policymakers to follow suit. Wellville advises five communities accelerating their own health initiatives: Clatsop County, OR; Lake County, CA; Muskegon County, MI; North Hartford, CT; and Spartanburg, SC. Dyson is W2W lead for Muskegon, and is actively involved in overall policy and fundraising for the project.
Way to Wellville will measure its progress both year by year and at the end. Its mission is not just to help five small (<200,000 people ) communities get healthy, but to develop and refine business models for doing so and to inspire other communities and government entities to copy its methods. Its motto is "Don't rent your health. Invest in it!"
Esther Dyson(@edyson on twitter) is executive founder of Way to Wellville (@WaytoWellville), a ten-year, nonprofit project devoted cultivating community health (not health care) with the ultimate goal of inspiring other communities and policymakers to follow suit. Wellville advises five communities accelerating their own health initiatives: Clatsop County, OR; Lake County, CA; Muskegon County, MI; North Hartford, CT; and Spartanburg, SC. Dyson is W2W lead for Muskegon, and is actively involved in overall policy and fundraising for the project.
Way to Wellville will measure its progress both year by year and at the end. Its mission is not just to help five small (<200,000 people ) communities get healthy, but to develop and refine business models for doing so and to inspire other communities and government entities to copy its methods. Its motto is "Don't rent your health. Invest in it!"
Esther Dyson(@edyson on twitter) is executive founder of Way to Wellville (@WaytoWellville), a ten-year, nonprofit project devoted cultivating community health (not health care) with the ultimate goal of inspiring other communities and policymakers to follow suit. Wellville advises five communities accelerating their own health initiatives: Clatsop County, OR; Lake County, CA; Muskegon County, MI; North Hartford, CT; and Spartanburg, SC. Dyson is W2W lead for Muskegon, and is actively involved in overall policy and fundraising for the project.
Way to Wellville will measure its progress both year by year and at the end. Its mission is not just to help five small (<200,000 people ) communities get healthy, but to develop and refine business models for doing so and to inspire other communities and government entities to copy its methods. Its motto is "Don't rent your health. Invest in it!"
Tim O’Reilly is the founder and CEO of O’Reilly Media, Inc. His original business plan was simply “interesting work for interesting people,” and that’s worked out pretty well. O’Reilly Media delivers online learning, publishes books, runs conferences, urges companies to create more value than they capture, and tries to change the world by spreading and amplifying the knowledge of innovators.
Tim has a history of convening conversations that reshape the computer industry. In 1998, he organized the meeting where the term “open source software” was agreed on, and helped the business world understand its importance. In 2004, with the Web 2.0 Summit, he defined how “Web 2.0” represented not only the resurgence of the web after the dot com bust, but a new model for the computer industry, based on big data, collective intelligence, and the internet as a platform. In 2009, with his “Gov 2.0 Summit,” he framed a conversation about the modernization of government technology that has shaped policy and spawned initiatives at the Federal, State, and local level, and around the world. He has now turned his attention to implications of AI, the on-demand economy, and other technologies that are transforming the nature of work and the future shape of the business world. This is the subject of his forthcoming book from Harper Business, WTF: What’s the Future and Why It’s Up to Us.
Ira Ehrenpreis is Founder and Managing Partner of DBL Partners, a leading impact investing venture capital firm, currently investing out of a $400M fund.
Ira is a recognized leader in the venture capital industry, having served on the Board, Executive Committee, and as Annual Meeting Chairman of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). Ira currently serves as the President of the Western Association of Venture Capitalists (WAVC) and as the Co-Chairman of the VCNetwork, the largest and most active California venture capital organization.
In 2007, Ira was named one of the “Top 50 Most Influential Men Under 45" and in 2014 was inducted into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame.
Ira has invested in a wide range of companies, including SpaceX, and serves on the board of Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA), Apeel, Mapbox and numerous other companies.
Ira is an active leader at Stanford University, where he has served on the Board of Visitors of Stanford Law School and is currently an advisory board member of the Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy (PIE) Advisory Council and the Stanford Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP). Ira has also been a guest lecturer, including helping to teach a course on Venture Capital.
Kate Behncken
Associate General Counsel , Lead
Microsoft TechSpark Initiative
Mike Kazmierski
President & CEO
Econ. Devo. Authority of Western Nevada
Kristy has spent her 20+ year career working with – and within – tech startups to help them build their brand, grow revenue and scale. As Rev1’s COO and resident CMO, she leads the entrepreneur programs and partnerships that support Rev1’s portfolio growth. Kristy also works directly with companies to implement focused sales and marketing efforts, helping companies generate awareness, first customers, and a repeatable sales pipeline. Kristy previously held executive-level positions with Manta.com – the largest online small business directory, and Saama Technologies, a leading Business Intelligence services firm. Kristy has a BS in Journalism from Ohio University and an MBA from Ashland University. She is a frequent speaker on startup marketing and contributor to entrepreneur resources like Inc, Entrepreneur and OPEN Forum.
Dino has spent his career as an entrepreneur, investor, and executive in leading technology companies and is focused on building and growing the tech eco-system in Oregon. In 2013, he founded Seven Peaks Ventures in Bend OR to invest in the most promising entrepreneurs in thriving regional tech communities across the west coast. Prior to Seven Peaks Ventures, Dino was a General Partner at Bay Partners, Formative Ventures, and Vulcan Ventures. In total, he has spent nearly 20 years in the venture capital business in Silicon Valley, Seattle, and now Oregon. Earlier in his career he held executive product and engineering roles at Qualcomm, Metawave, US West Cellular, and TRW. He earned his MSEE and MBA degrees from the University of Washington, and a
BSEE degree from San Diego State University.
Tim Schigel is a founding Partner of Refinery Ventures, and early stage firm in Cincinnati, OH. He previously served as the founding Fund Manager for Cintrifuse Syndicate Fund I since 2013. The fund is believed to be the largest privately funded, first-time regional fund of funds in the country backed by leading corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Kroger Co and others. Tim is also the Chairman and Founder of ShareThis, the largest independent platform of sharing tools on the Web reaching 700 million users monthly. Prior to founding ShareThis, Tim was Director with Blue Chip Venture Company, the first venture firm in Cincinnati, OH with $600 million AUM, and where he led the firm’s investment in marketing and technology leaders such as Advertising.com (acquired by AOL). Prior to Blue Chip, he was an entrepreneur and international consultant leading innovative projects for Apple Computer, Hitachi, Hallmark Cards, Motorola and Procter & Gamble. Tim received his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
Nick Smoot has founded and sold 3 tech companies. Now as the founder of Innovation Collective, a full stack economic transformation firm, and Mountain Man Ventures, an investment fund focused on companies in "non-traditional" innovation markets, he is focused on redefining how cities participate in the future of work. He is a Milken Institute Young Leader where they obsess over job creation, access to capital and accelerating medical cures.
Nick has been interviewed for or contributed to Bloomberg, Forbes, USA Today, Fast Company, Mashable, Virgin, LinkedIn, Inc. Magazine, Huffington Post and was once kissed by Richard Branson.
Peter Hirshberg
Principal &
Co-Founder
Maker City Project
Founder, General Partner
Next Frontier Capital
Will founded Next Frontier Capital to partner with mission-driven, talented entrepreneurs to build Montana technology companies of impact, utility, value. Will’s career spans venture capital investing as well as operational, transactional, and advisory roles at both public and private companies. With a Montana family history dating to the 1850s, Will is passionate about investing in the state’s promising future.
Prior to Next Frontier Capital, Will served as CEO of Flite, an advertising and analytics platform. In 2016, Flite was acquired by Snap, the parent company of SnapChat. During his six year tenure, Will built a market leading organization capable of serving and analyzing billions of ad interactions, sold enterprise customers such as Procter & Gamble, The New York Times, and LinkedIn, raised capital from leading venture capitalists, including Sequoia Capital, General Catalyst, and strategic customers Conde Nast, Jive Software, and Publicis.
Previously, Will served as a Managing Director at Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, where he focused on SaaS and open source. Will helped lead investments in Mulesoft, Sonatype, SlideRocket, Flite, among others. Will joined Hummer Winblad from Pequot Capital, where he focused on software investing. Earlier in his career Will worked for Morgan Stanley in NYC, Hong Kong, and the ASEAN markets focused on the privatization of state-owned assets.
John Fillmore serves as Chief of Business Operations for Chegg Inc., a leader in providing digital services to high school and college students. John joined Chegg in 2013 as GM for Chegg’s Textbook and eTextbook business, driving Chegg’s transition to an all-digital company. In his current role, John focuses on ensuring Chegg’s people, assets, and investments are properly allocated, supported, and evaluated to best enable our mission of creating a more on-demand, online, personalized, and student-first experience for learners across the educational spectrum.
John joined Chegg from Bain & Company. Previously John served as Chief Deputy Director for the Office of Planning and Research under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, focused on Education, Health Care, and Economic Development.
John received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon Robert D. Clark Honors College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar.
Tiffany Apczynski
VP of Public Policy & Social Impact
Zendesk
Matt Dunne has focused his career on the intersection of rural policy and technology. He served 11 years in the Vermont House and Senate, enacting the first state’s first brownfields and downtown redevelopment program, broadband grants and legislation that accelerated VT’s craft beer boom. He helped grow a VT-based software company to over 100 people, was Associate Director of the Rockefeller Center on Public Policy at Dartmouth College, and was appointed director of AmeriCorps*VISTA under Clinton, where he led PowerUp, one of the first national efforts to bridge the digital divide, and launched an Entrepreneur Corps to focus on micro-finance in high need communities. In 2007, he started Google’s Community Affairs division out of a former bread factory in White River Jct, VT, where he led all local US philanthropy and engagement, including the Google Fiber rollout and orchestrating educational and development initiatives in Google’s data center communities across rural America.
Matt is now the Founder and Executive Director of the Center on Rural Innovation, an organization dedicated to building the economy of rural America, and has an appointment at the MIT Media Lab.
Mark Orttung
CEO
Nexient
Patrick McKenna is an American entrepreneur and investor. After successfully co-founding and operating three technology companies, he started High Ridge Global to invest and advise early stage companies. High Ridge has launched multiple companies and invested in dozens more with an emphasis on investing half the portfolio outside of Silicon Valley. Patrick also serves as an independent board member for several companies providing insights and coaching to innovative entrepreneurs. Prior to Silicon Valley, Patrick worked in M&A at Morgan Stanley and served in the U.S. Army. He holds an MBA from Georgetown University and BS in Accounting from the University of Southern California.
Chris Shipley
Author, Advisor
Work to Learn
Mark Muro
Senior Fellow,
Policy Director
Brookings Institution
Chris Marks
Founder,
Managing Director
Blue Note Ventures
Raised in government housing in Vancouver, Canada to immigrant, East African parents, Rahim Fazal went on to found three startups before the age of 30 -- all without a college degree.
Today, Rahim is the CEO and co-founder of SVAcademy, an apprenticeship platform aiming to drive 1M+ women and minorities into new economy careers in sales and business development.
Prior to SVAcademy, Rahim was the CEO and co-founder of Involver, a social media marketing platform used by 2M small businesses and Fortune 500 brands like Nike, Best Buy, Target and MTV. Rahim helped lead the company's acquisition by Oracle where he remained for three years as a product development executive.
Beyond that, Rahim has been honored at The White House with an Empact 100 Award by Startup America and The Kauffman Foundation, named one of the Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 in America by Inc Magazine, one of the Top 40 Under 40 by the San Francisco Business Times, and one of the Top 25 Digital Thought-Leaders by iMedia. He was the youngest student ever accepted into his MBA program without an undergraduate degree and is well-known for his popular TEDx talk, “How Getting Fired from McDonalds Changed My Life.”
Director of Corporate Growth & Business Development
Governor's Office of Economic Development
Director of Corporate Growth and Business Development
Thomas Wadsworth has worked in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) since 2011 where he currently is the Director of Corporate Growth and Business Development. In his role, Thomas structures and negotiates all corporate incentives, manages the state’s current portfolio of incented companies, and oversees all of the office’s strategic business development. He has been involved in over 100 corporate recruitment projects ranging from large companies like Adobe, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and UPS to growing startup companies. Prior to his current role, Thomas managed the state’s technology commercialization fund that provided funding to early stage companies. Thomas graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Finance.
Born in Santa Monica, California, Mr. Walker joined the Nevada Museum of Art as executive director and CEO in 2007. In addition to establishing a vision and strategic plan for the museum, he launched the Museum’s internationally-recognized Center for Art + Environment; increased the operating budget, permanent collections, and endowment; and has renovated and expanded the current Museum facility. Previously, he served 11 years as the Dean of Public Programs at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he created the School of Public Programs and provided the leadership for a new 100,000 square-foot South Campus designed by Daly Genik Architects. During this time, he co-founded The Design High School, a public charter school that employed design-based learning across the curriculum. He also served as director and founding partner of the Walker and Walker Gallery in Santa Monica, and worked five years as an associate with McBain, Rose Partners, an investment banking firm in Los Angeles that specialized in leveraged buyouts. He was publisher of Element magazine, a widely-distributed arts quarterly, and along with his wife, formed two original bands that inked deals with Warner Brothers Music and Chrysalis Music. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Humboldt State University and did his graduate work at the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Burning Man.
Since joining Lightbank in 2011, Bill has led over 30 deals for the firm, including Locu (acquired by GoDaddy), Ovuline, Hireology, PerBlue, Ionic, and serving on the boards of Udemy, Snapsheet, CoffeeMeetsBagel and Fooda.
Bill joined the team from NBCUniversal, where he was a Vice President and founding member of the Peacock Equity Fund, a $250m venture arm for NBCUniversal. While at Peacock Equity, Bill served as board representative at Greystripe (acquired by ValueClick), Ramp and Vivox.
Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Bill worked at GE Capital where he helped finance leading early stage biotech companies. He worked as a Finance Analyst at Morgan Stanley and at Merrill Lynch within their Global Research Group. Bill is a Chartered Financial Analyst, holds a Bachelor Degree from Northwestern University and graduated with honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Eric Rea
CEO
Podium
David Hall is a Partner at Rise of the Rest Seed Fund and is responsible for investment sourcing, execution, and oversight for Revolution portfolio companies. David began his career with Revolution in 2006, serving as an investment professional for Revolution and has been working with the portfolio companies ever since. David has worked closely with and served as a Board Observer for Revolution Money (American Express), Booker (formerly GramercyOne), Vinfolio, Koofers, SnagFilms, BenchPrep and Homesnap.
Prior to Revolution, David was with The Washington Post Company as Director of Planning and Development. In this capacity, he managed corporate M&A and investments and launched new print and digital publications. Earlier in his career, David held positions as manager of Business Development for Akamai Technologies, Inc. and senior financial analyst for Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc.
David received a B.A. in Economics from Morehouse College and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
David Hall is a Partner at Rise of the Rest Seed Fund and is responsible for investment sourcing, execution, and oversight for Revolution portfolio companies. David began his career with Revolution in 2006, serving as an investment professional for Revolution and has been working with the portfolio companies ever since. David has worked closely with and served as a Board Observer for Revolution Money (American Express), Booker (formerly GramercyOne), Vinfolio, Koofers, SnagFilms, BenchPrep and Homesnap.
Prior to Revolution, David was with The Washington Post Company as Director of Planning and Development. In this capacity, he managed corporate M&A and investments and launched new print and digital publications. Earlier in his career, David held positions as manager of Business Development for Akamai Technologies, Inc. and senior financial analyst for Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc.
David received a B.A. in Economics from Morehouse College and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
David Hall is a Partner at Rise of the Rest Seed Fund and is responsible for investment sourcing, execution, and oversight for Revolution portfolio companies. David began his career with Revolution in 2006, serving as an investment professional for Revolution and has been working with the portfolio companies ever since. David has worked closely with and served as a Board Observer for Revolution Money (American Express), Booker (formerly GramercyOne), Vinfolio, Koofers, SnagFilms, BenchPrep and Homesnap.
Prior to Revolution, David was with The Washington Post Company as Director of Planning and Development. In this capacity, he managed corporate M&A and investments and launched new print and digital publications. Earlier in his career, David held positions as manager of Business Development for Akamai Technologies, Inc. and senior financial analyst for Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc.
David received a B.A. in Economics from Morehouse College and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Matt Marshall
Founder & CEO
VentureBeat
Co-founder of Rainmaking, VentureScout and partner in Startupbootcamp Global, Jakob has over the years sourced hundreds of startups for clients, helped build and run accelerators, designed and delivered corporate innovation projects in over 15 countries and worked with startups and startup ecosystems on a global scale. He co-founded Startup MENA, leading to increased startup funding and the creation of hundreds of jobs across 9 countries in the region.
Eric Daimler
Advisor
Conversion Capital LLC
Pat leads the world-class engineering team at Eventbrite. Previously the Vice President of Software Development at Ticketmaster, Pat was responsible for host system development and wrote much of the reserved seating inventory system that’s still in use today.
Chris Heivly is one of the nation’s leading experts in how to turn startups into multimillion-dollar companies. At a time when the nation’s economy is shifting from a reliance on large corporations to smaller, more innovative organizations, he has been dubbed the “The Startup Whisperer.”
For over 30 years, Heivly has worked at the highest levels for some of the world’s most recognized brands, including MapQuest, which was sold to AOL for $1.2 billion; Rand McNally, the worlds largest map publisher; and Accenture, the largest multinational management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company on the planet. He has also personally directed over $75 million in investment capital on behalf of these and other companies.
Heivly currently serves as one of two managing directors of The Startup Factory, the largest seed investment firm in the Southeast. Under his leadership, the firm has made 35 investments in just three years in emerging technology companies. More than 60 percent of TSF’s portfolio has gone on to raise follow-on capital, more than double the industry average for similar investment programs.
Chris recently joined Techstars, the world’s largest ecosystem that helps entrepreneurs build great businesses, to develop a new set of products and services focused on helping startup communities grow. This role leverages Heivly’s experience in building the Raleigh/Durham ecosystem with the expertise of Brad Feld (Foundry Group & Startup Communities) and the Techstars staff.
Michael FitzGerald is the co-founder and CEO of Submittable a submission management platform used by over 10,000 clients including CBS, AT&T, Nike, Hallmark, Harvard, and MIT for promoting, accepting, and reviewing incoming content, applications, RFPs and other digital submissions. Submittable is a YC alumni and has received funding from True Ventures, Next Frontier Capital, and Flywheel Ventures. They presently employ 56 people in Missoula, Montana where Michael lives with his wife and two sons.
Michael FitzGerald is the co-founder and CEO of Submittable a submission management platform used by over 10,000 clients including CBS, AT&T, Nike, Hallmark, Harvard, and MIT for promoting, accepting, and reviewing incoming content, applications, RFPs and other digital submissions. Submittable is a YC alumni and has received funding from True Ventures, Next Frontier Capital, and Flywheel Ventures. They presently employ 56 people in Missoula, Montana where Michael lives with his wife and two sons.
Michael FitzGerald is the co-founder and CEO of Submittable a submission management platform used by over 10,000 clients including CBS, AT&T, Nike, Hallmark, Harvard, and MIT for promoting, accepting, and reviewing incoming content, applications, RFPs and other digital submissions. Submittable is a YC alumni and has received funding from True Ventures, Next Frontier Capital, and Flywheel Ventures. They presently employ 56 people in Missoula, Montana where Michael lives with his wife and two sons.
Lorenzo Gomez III is an expert in ecosystem development and helped successfully convert a dormant urban sector of San Antonio into a thriving entrepreneurial hub. As the former CEO of Geekdom, the largest coworking space in Texas, and former Executive Director of the 80/20 Foundation, a philanthropic organization, he effectively engaged others in a vision and orchestrated their skills and strengths to create a new contemporary community of technology companies.
As the current Chairman of the Board for both entities, Gomez is charged with generating the next 10,000 tech jobs for the downtown ecosystem. Having been responsible for populating the new downtown tech district with hundreds of small businesses, numerous tech groups, prominent accelerators and non-traditional educational organizations, Mr. Gomez’s has had a positive impact on the tech industry, economic growth and the revitalization of the area. Within the five-year development period, Geekdom, the heart of the downtown tech district, experienced 1000 percent membership growth, and those members generated 658 new jobs and $70 million in capital.
Mr. Gomez is a compelling storyteller, a tenacious team player and a technologist with a passion for entrepreneurship. His professional experience stems from Rackspace, the largest managed cloud provider, where he worked closely with co-founder Graham Weston, to whom he still reports. He’s a co-founder of Tech Bloc, and he serves as board member, advisory board member and mentor for a variety of local and national tech and entrepreneurial organizations.
He’s the author of “Cilantro Diaries,” a business book that relates real-life principles young adults should know before entering the professional workforce. Mr. Gomez is a San Antonio native and is married to his high school sweetheart.
Lee is the co-founder and CEO of interior design start-up Havenly. She started the company in 2014 to make decorating a home easier - and more affordable- for all of us. Previously, Lee was the VP & GM of the Auto division at Bankrate here in Denver. She moved to Denver from New York City, where she worked at Bain & Company and was in the M&A and strategy function at Canon, USA. Lee has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS from Columbia University.
Lee is the co-founder and CEO of interior design start-up Havenly. She started the company in 2014 to make decorating a home easier - and more affordable- for all of us. Previously, Lee was the VP & GM of the Auto division at Bankrate here in Denver. She moved to Denver from New York City, where she worked at Bain & Company and was in the M&A and strategy function at Canon, USA. Lee has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS from Columbia University.
Lee is the co-founder and CEO of interior design start-up Havenly. She started the company in 2014 to make decorating a home easier - and more affordable- for all of us. Previously, Lee was the VP & GM of the Auto division at Bankrate here in Denver. She moved to Denver from New York City, where she worked at Bain & Company and was in the M&A and strategy function at Canon, USA. Lee has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS from Columbia University.
Jesse Haines
Grow with Google
Missy Young
CIO
Switch
Jason is the Managing Director of Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), an innovative and strategic-focused business unit of Koch Industries. KDT’s role is to invest in technology companies that disrupt and transform Koch’s core businesses and expand into new platforms and capabilities. Artificial intelligence, blockchain and crypto, bio IT and genomics, and industrial robotics are just a few segments being explored by KDT.
Jason is a seasoned technology executive with 15+ years of success inspiring teams in both small and large companies. Curious, disciplined, innovative, and entrepreneurial, he has the ability to make balanced strategic and financial decisions in a rapidly-changing environment. Jason has a passion for creative destruction and developing thoughtful technology solutions around expansive problems. His non-linear thinking has helped corporations, organizations and leaders be more innovative.
Prior to KDT, Jason was the Founder and CEO of BookShout, the world's leading B2B e-book company which was acquired by Ambassador Enterprises (AE) , a private equity group. In addition to his CEO role, Jason was a Senior Advisor/EIR to Ambassador Enterprises for all their technology assets and potential acquisitions. During his time, Jason led the technology companies and strategy within the AE portfolio, helped establish investment and operational philosophies, and developed relationships with companies such as T-Mobile, AMEX, Stanford, Facebook, Google, and many more.
Jason is also a published author and nationally-renown speaker. Jason has presented at the Goldman Sachs Technology & Internet Conference, the Credit Suisse Global Media and Communications Convergence Conference, and hundreds of other organizations. He has been featured on ABC, The New York Times, and done numerous radio interviews, from Mancow to Laura Ingraham.
Jason graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Christian University with a BBA in International Finance. He continued his education with TCU and the London School of Economics, held the distinguished honor of being named one of the top 20 students in America by USA Today, was a Rhodes scholar finalist, and was an NCAA Academic All-American while being captain of the TCU football team.
In his free time, Jason loves playing sports and hanging out with his wife, Alisha and his three rambunctious kids, Reign, Sage, and Rogue. He lives in Wichita, KS.
Jason is the Managing Director of Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), an innovative and strategic-focused business unit of Koch Industries. KDT’s role is to invest in technology companies that disrupt and transform Koch’s core businesses and expand into new platforms and capabilities. Artificial intelligence, blockchain and crypto, bio IT and genomics, and industrial robotics are just a few segments being explored by KDT.
Jason is a seasoned technology executive with 15+ years of success inspiring teams in both small and large companies. Curious, disciplined, innovative, and entrepreneurial, he has the ability to make balanced strategic and financial decisions in a rapidly-changing environment. Jason has a passion for creative destruction and developing thoughtful technology solutions around expansive problems. His non-linear thinking has helped corporations, organizations and leaders be more innovative.
Prior to KDT, Jason was the Founder and CEO of BookShout, the world's leading B2B e-book company which was acquired by Ambassador Enterprises (AE) , a private equity group. In addition to his CEO role, Jason was a Senior Advisor/EIR to Ambassador Enterprises for all their technology assets and potential acquisitions. During his time, Jason led the technology companies and strategy within the AE portfolio, helped establish investment and operational philosophies, and developed relationships with companies such as T-Mobile, AMEX, Stanford, Facebook, Google, and many more.
Jason is also a published author and nationally-renown speaker. Jason has presented at the Goldman Sachs Technology & Internet Conference, the Credit Suisse Global Media and Communications Convergence Conference, and hundreds of other organizations. He has been featured on ABC, The New York Times, and done numerous radio interviews, from Mancow to Laura Ingraham.
Jason graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Christian University with a BBA in International Finance. He continued his education with TCU and the London School of Economics, held the distinguished honor of being named one of the top 20 students in America by USA Today, was a Rhodes scholar finalist, and was an NCAA Academic All-American while being captain of the TCU football team.
In his free time, Jason loves playing sports and hanging out with his wife, Alisha and his three rambunctious kids, Reign, Sage, and Rogue. He lives in Wichita, KS.
Jason is the Managing Director of Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), an innovative and strategic-focused business unit of Koch Industries. KDT’s role is to invest in technology companies that disrupt and transform Koch’s core businesses and expand into new platforms and capabilities. Artificial intelligence, blockchain and crypto, bio IT and genomics, and industrial robotics are just a few segments being explored by KDT.
Jason is a seasoned technology executive with 15+ years of success inspiring teams in both small and large companies. Curious, disciplined, innovative, and entrepreneurial, he has the ability to make balanced strategic and financial decisions in a rapidly-changing environment. Jason has a passion for creative destruction and developing thoughtful technology solutions around expansive problems. His non-linear thinking has helped corporations, organizations and leaders be more innovative.
Prior to KDT, Jason was the Founder and CEO of BookShout, the world's leading B2B e-book company which was acquired by Ambassador Enterprises (AE) , a private equity group. In addition to his CEO role, Jason was a Senior Advisor/EIR to Ambassador Enterprises for all their technology assets and potential acquisitions. During his time, Jason led the technology companies and strategy within the AE portfolio, helped establish investment and operational philosophies, and developed relationships with companies such as T-Mobile, AMEX, Stanford, Facebook, Google, and many more.
Jason is also a published author and nationally-renown speaker. Jason has presented at the Goldman Sachs Technology & Internet Conference, the Credit Suisse Global Media and Communications Convergence Conference, and hundreds of other organizations. He has been featured on ABC, The New York Times, and done numerous radio interviews, from Mancow to Laura Ingraham.
Jason graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Christian University with a BBA in International Finance. He continued his education with TCU and the London School of Economics, held the distinguished honor of being named one of the top 20 students in America by USA Today, was a Rhodes scholar finalist, and was an NCAA Academic All-American while being captain of the TCU football team.
In his free time, Jason loves playing sports and hanging out with his wife, Alisha and his three rambunctious kids, Reign, Sage, and Rogue. He lives in Wichita, KS.
Alex Fiance is co-founder and Managing Partner of Kairos, a venture fund backing young entrepreneurs working to create billion-dollar solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. Over the years, the Kairos Society has helped launch and grow over 200 innovative technology companies tackling problems in healthcare, education, transportation, and more. He is on a mission to focus the world's brightest young minds on innovating in areas where old industries and governments have failed.
Alex joined Kairos as its first full-time CEO in 2013, leading the company from its roots as a student-run organization into a venture fund and Fellowship program spanning 100+ universities and 50+ countries worldwide. During his tenure, the top Kairos companies have raised over $650mm in venture capital and achieved a collective valuation of over $3bn, helping launch breakout companies including Freenome, Fiscalnote, and Digital Genius. He's been named a 'Leader of the Future' by the Ambrosetti House and spoken at global forums including DLD, Nantucket Project, C2MTL, and Mobile World Congress.
Alex Fiance is co-founder and Managing Partner of Kairos, a venture fund backing young entrepreneurs working to create billion-dollar solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. Over the years, the Kairos Society has helped launch and grow over 200 innovative technology companies tackling problems in healthcare, education, transportation, and more. He is on a mission to focus the world's brightest young minds on innovating in areas where old industries and governments have failed.
Alex joined Kairos as its first full-time CEO in 2013, leading the company from its roots as a student-run organization into a venture fund and Fellowship program spanning 100+ universities and 50+ countries worldwide. During his tenure, the top Kairos companies have raised over $650mm in venture capital and achieved a collective valuation of over $3bn, helping launch breakout companies including Freenome, Fiscalnote, and Digital Genius. He's been named a 'Leader of the Future' by the Ambrosetti House and spoken at global forums including DLD, Nantucket Project, C2MTL, and Mobile World Congress.
Alex Fiance is co-founder and Managing Partner of Kairos, a venture fund backing young entrepreneurs working to create billion-dollar solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. Over the years, the Kairos Society has helped launch and grow over 200 innovative technology companies tackling problems in healthcare, education, transportation, and more. He is on a mission to focus the world's brightest young minds on innovating in areas where old industries and governments have failed.
Alex joined Kairos as its first full-time CEO in 2013, leading the company from its roots as a student-run organization into a venture fund and Fellowship program spanning 100+ universities and 50+ countries worldwide. During his tenure, the top Kairos companies have raised over $650mm in venture capital and achieved a collective valuation of over $3bn, helping launch breakout companies including Freenome, Fiscalnote, and Digital Genius. He's been named a 'Leader of the Future' by the Ambrosetti House and spoken at global forums including DLD, Nantucket Project, C2MTL, and Mobile World Congress.
Skip is a frequent speaker on technology trends and topics, economic development, public-private partnerships and civic innovation. Before joining the TAO, Skip served as an economic development policy advisor to Portland Mayor Sam Adams, where he helped create Portland’s first comprehensive economic development strategy in 16 years, recognizing software as a key industry cluster. While at the City of Portland, Skip’s projects included the adoption of the nation’s first open source software procurement policy at the municipal level, an award-winning regional open data initiative and the development of resources to support entrepreneurship, like the Portland Seed Fund. Previously, Skip was a corporate and IP attorney and entrepreneur.Skip is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TECNA, Technology Councils of North America, which is a global network of technology and entrepreneurship associations, and he serves on advisory boards for Wells Fargo and Worksystems, Inc. Skip is also a 2012 recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award. When he's not working on behalf of the region's tech industry, Skip enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with his family.
Skip is a frequent speaker on technology trends and topics, economic development, public-private partnerships and civic innovation. Before joining the TAO, Skip served as an economic development policy advisor to Portland Mayor Sam Adams, where he helped create Portland’s first comprehensive economic development strategy in 16 years, recognizing software as a key industry cluster. While at the City of Portland, Skip’s projects included the adoption of the nation’s first open source software procurement policy at the municipal level, an award-winning regional open data initiative and the development of resources to support entrepreneurship, like the Portland Seed Fund. Previously, Skip was a corporate and IP attorney and entrepreneur.Skip is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TECNA, Technology Councils of North America, which is a global network of technology and entrepreneurship associations, and he serves on advisory boards for Wells Fargo and Worksystems, Inc. Skip is also a 2012 recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award. When he's not working on behalf of the region's tech industry, Skip enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with his family.
Hillary L. Schieve was elected as Reno’s Mayor on November 4, 2014. She was sworn in on November 12, 2014, as the 28th Mayor of the City of Reno. Prior to being elected Mayor, Hillary was elected as At-Large Reno City Council Member on November 6, 2012, and was sworn into office on November 14, 2012.
Hillary brings to the Council her entrepreneurial experience as an employer and local business owner, as well as her out-of-the-box thinking which helped her businesses prosper during the economic downturn. Hillary is the owner and operator of three businesses in the City of Reno. She wants to use her business knowledge to help eliminate bureaucratic red tape and spur job creation.
Hillary’s other key issues are economic growth, public safety, regional cooperation and senior services. One of her major issues is the reformation and revitalization of downtown. Hillary has made it a priority since assuming office to put funding toward creating a downtown environment that attracts residents, students, businesses and visitors. She was named in Politico Magazine’s “America’s 11 Most Interesting Mayors” article. The piece refers to her as “The re-inventor” for her role in the positive transformation of Reno, which is “becoming a hub for tech entrepreneurs and companies, pulling coders and data analysts from far more expensive Silicon Valley four hours to the west.”
In September 2017, Mayor Schieve was selected as Chair of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports (TAPES). She is the first woman to Chair the committee in more than 25 years. Another national and local issue the Mayor is passionate about is mental health and addiction; as such, she hosted a community conversation on the topic in October 2017.
Hillary’s business success landed her the Reno Gazette-Journal’s (RGJ) 2011 "Entrepreneur of the Year" award. Hillary was also named by the Nevada Young Professional Network and the RGJ as a "Twenty Under 40" award recipient for her business expertise and her community service endeavors. Just to name a few of her many accomplishments and awards, she is also a recipient of the "Humanitarian Award," as she was recognized for being an outspoken public advocate for diversity and equality for all underserved groups. She was also honored with the "Harvey Milk Award" by Build Our Center (now called Our Center) in May 2016. She is also a two-time recipient of the Nevada Women’s Fund, presented by NV Energy, "Women of Achievement" award in 2013 and 2015.
Hillary is one of the four founding members of the Midtown District. Most recently, she has worked diligently to reform and revitalize downtown Reno and has, in partnership with the Reno City Council, formed an Operation Downtown group focused on reimagining and revitalizing the downtown corridor.
Hillary was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She attended Reno High School. Hillary grew up figure skating, where she competed nationally in pursuit of an Olympic dream, but was stricken with kidney failure. As fate would have it, her sister saved Hillary’s life by donating her kidney for a transplant operation. Hillary continues to be a strong advocate for organ donations and has lobbied nationwide to promote organ donor awareness.
Hillary L. Schieve was elected as Reno’s Mayor on November 4, 2014. She was sworn in on November 12, 2014, as the 28th Mayor of the City of Reno. Prior to being elected Mayor, Hillary was elected as At-Large Reno City Council Member on November 6, 2012, and was sworn into office on November 14, 2012.
Hillary brings to the Council her entrepreneurial experience as an employer and local business owner, as well as her out-of-the-box thinking which helped her businesses prosper during the economic downturn. Hillary is the owner and operator of three businesses in the City of Reno. She wants to use her business knowledge to help eliminate bureaucratic red tape and spur job creation.
Hillary’s other key issues are economic growth, public safety, regional cooperation and senior services. One of her major issues is the reformation and revitalization of downtown. Hillary has made it a priority since assuming office to put funding toward creating a downtown environment that attracts residents, students, businesses and visitors. She was named in Politico Magazine’s “America’s 11 Most Interesting Mayors” article. The piece refers to her as “The re-inventor” for her role in the positive transformation of Reno, which is “becoming a hub for tech entrepreneurs and companies, pulling coders and data analysts from far more expensive Silicon Valley four hours to the west.”
In September 2017, Mayor Schieve was selected as Chair of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports (TAPES). She is the first woman to Chair the committee in more than 25 years. Another national and local issue the Mayor is passionate about is mental health and addiction; as such, she hosted a community conversation on the topic in October 2017.
Hillary’s business success landed her the Reno Gazette-Journal’s (RGJ) 2011 "Entrepreneur of the Year" award. Hillary was also named by the Nevada Young Professional Network and the RGJ as a "Twenty Under 40" award recipient for her business expertise and her community service endeavors. Just to name a few of her many accomplishments and awards, she is also a recipient of the "Humanitarian Award," as she was recognized for being an outspoken public advocate for diversity and equality for all underserved groups. She was also honored with the "Harvey Milk Award" by Build Our Center (now called Our Center) in May 2016. She is also a two-time recipient of the Nevada Women’s Fund, presented by NV Energy, "Women of Achievement" award in 2013 and 2015.
Hillary is one of the four founding members of the Midtown District. Most recently, she has worked diligently to reform and revitalize downtown Reno and has, in partnership with the Reno City Council, formed an Operation Downtown group focused on reimagining and revitalizing the downtown corridor.
Hillary was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She attended Reno High School. Hillary grew up figure skating, where she competed nationally in pursuit of an Olympic dream, but was stricken with kidney failure. As fate would have it, her sister saved Hillary’s life by donating her kidney for a transplant operation. Hillary continues to be a strong advocate for organ donations and has lobbied nationwide to promote organ donor awareness.
Hillary L. Schieve was elected as Reno’s Mayor on November 4, 2014. She was sworn in on November 12, 2014, as the 28th Mayor of the City of Reno. Prior to being elected Mayor, Hillary was elected as At-Large Reno City Council Member on November 6, 2012, and was sworn into office on November 14, 2012.
Hillary brings to the Council her entrepreneurial experience as an employer and local business owner, as well as her out-of-the-box thinking which helped her businesses prosper during the economic downturn. Hillary is the owner and operator of three businesses in the City of Reno. She wants to use her business knowledge to help eliminate bureaucratic red tape and spur job creation.
Hillary’s other key issues are economic growth, public safety, regional cooperation and senior services. One of her major issues is the reformation and revitalization of downtown. Hillary has made it a priority since assuming office to put funding toward creating a downtown environment that attracts residents, students, businesses and visitors. She was named in Politico Magazine’s “America’s 11 Most Interesting Mayors” article. The piece refers to her as “The re-inventor” for her role in the positive transformation of Reno, which is “becoming a hub for tech entrepreneurs and companies, pulling coders and data analysts from far more expensive Silicon Valley four hours to the west.”
In September 2017, Mayor Schieve was selected as Chair of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports (TAPES). She is the first woman to Chair the committee in more than 25 years. Another national and local issue the Mayor is passionate about is mental health and addiction; as such, she hosted a community conversation on the topic in October 2017.
Hillary’s business success landed her the Reno Gazette-Journal’s (RGJ) 2011 "Entrepreneur of the Year" award. Hillary was also named by the Nevada Young Professional Network and the RGJ as a "Twenty Under 40" award recipient for her business expertise and her community service endeavors. Just to name a few of her many accomplishments and awards, she is also a recipient of the "Humanitarian Award," as she was recognized for being an outspoken public advocate for diversity and equality for all underserved groups. She was also honored with the "Harvey Milk Award" by Build Our Center (now called Our Center) in May 2016. She is also a two-time recipient of the Nevada Women’s Fund, presented by NV Energy, "Women of Achievement" award in 2013 and 2015.
Hillary is one of the four founding members of the Midtown District. Most recently, she has worked diligently to reform and revitalize downtown Reno and has, in partnership with the Reno City Council, formed an Operation Downtown group focused on reimagining and revitalizing the downtown corridor.
Hillary was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She attended Reno High School. Hillary grew up figure skating, where she competed nationally in pursuit of an Olympic dream, but was stricken with kidney failure. As fate would have it, her sister saved Hillary’s life by donating her kidney for a transplant operation. Hillary continues to be a strong advocate for organ donations and has lobbied nationwide to promote organ donor awareness.
Serial entrepreneur Charlie Brock has led Launch Tennessee and the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem since January, 2013. Charlie and his team have grown 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival into the Southeast’s premier startup event; launched seven industry accelerators for high-growth startups and advocated for the passage of startup-friendly legislation. As an architect of Chattanooga’s nationally renowned startup ecosystem, Charlie co-founded the city’s first angel fund and launched the GigTank accelerator in 2012 during his time as CEO of CO.LAB. Early-stage investment in Tennessee companies has increased 75% during Charlie’s leadership and 84% of the state’s 95 counties now participate in entrepreneurial programming.
Serial entrepreneur Charlie Brock has led Launch Tennessee and the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem since January, 2013. Charlie and his team have grown 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival into the Southeast’s premier startup event; launched seven industry accelerators for high-growth startups and advocated for the passage of startup-friendly legislation. As an architect of Chattanooga’s nationally renowned startup ecosystem, Charlie co-founded the city’s first angel fund and launched the GigTank accelerator in 2012 during his time as CEO of CO.LAB. Early-stage investment in Tennessee companies has increased 75% during Charlie’s leadership and 84% of the state’s 95 counties now participate in entrepreneurial programming.
Serial entrepreneur Charlie Brock has led Launch Tennessee and the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem since January, 2013. Charlie and his team have grown 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival into the Southeast’s premier startup event; launched seven industry accelerators for high-growth startups and advocated for the passage of startup-friendly legislation. As an architect of Chattanooga’s nationally renowned startup ecosystem, Charlie co-founded the city’s first angel fund and launched the GigTank accelerator in 2012 during his time as CEO of CO.LAB. Early-stage investment in Tennessee companies has increased 75% during Charlie’s leadership and 84% of the state’s 95 counties now participate in entrepreneurial programming.
As Chief People Officer of Zillow Group, Dan oversees the company’s human resources, recruiting and learning & development teams. He focuses on creating solutions to attract, engage, develop and retain Zillow Group’s talented employees across nine offices and multiple consumer and business brands.
Prior to joining Zillow Group, Dan was the Vice President of U.S. Stores and Operations for Starbucks, where his team drove support and strategy for over 8,000 stores and 140,000 partners nationwide. Before holding his position at Starbucks, Dan held roles on leadership and human resources teams at Life Technologies and Dell, Inc., where he integrated HR teams through numerous mergers and acquisitions and supported global growth initiatives.
Dan serves on the Board of Trustees for Knox College. He received his B.A. in Political Science and History from Knox College and his M.S. in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois.
As Chief People Officer of Zillow Group, Dan oversees the company’s human resources, recruiting and learning & development teams. He focuses on creating solutions to attract, engage, develop and retain Zillow Group’s talented employees across nine offices and multiple consumer and business brands.
Prior to joining Zillow Group, Dan was the Vice President of U.S. Stores and Operations for Starbucks, where his team drove support and strategy for over 8,000 stores and 140,000 partners nationwide. Before holding his position at Starbucks, Dan held roles on leadership and human resources teams at Life Technologies and Dell, Inc., where he integrated HR teams through numerous mergers and acquisitions and supported global growth initiatives.
Dan serves on the Board of Trustees for Knox College. He received his B.A. in Political Science and History from Knox College and his M.S. in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois.
As Chief People Officer of Zillow Group, Dan oversees the company’s human resources, recruiting and learning & development teams. He focuses on creating solutions to attract, engage, develop and retain Zillow Group’s talented employees across nine offices and multiple consumer and business brands.
Prior to joining Zillow Group, Dan was the Vice President of U.S. Stores and Operations for Starbucks, where his team drove support and strategy for over 8,000 stores and 140,000 partners nationwide. Before holding his position at Starbucks, Dan held roles on leadership and human resources teams at Life Technologies and Dell, Inc., where he integrated HR teams through numerous mergers and acquisitions and supported global growth initiatives.
Dan serves on the Board of Trustees for Knox College. He received his B.A. in Political Science and History from Knox College and his M.S. in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois.
Brian Sandoval was elected the 30th Governor of Nevada in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. In 2005 he was appointed United States District Judge for the District of Nevada and in 2002 he was elected Attorney General of Nevada. He has previously served as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission and in the Nevada Legislature.
His accomplishments as Governor include work to make Nevada the most veteran and military-friendly state in the nation, transforming Nevada’s approach to economic development, expanding health care coverage, implementing new innovative gaming policy and leading the effort for an unprecedented investment in and modernization of Nevada’s public education system.
During his inaugural legislative session, Governor Sandoval transformed Nevada’s approach to economic development by moving the duties directly under his authority and created the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. During Governor Sandoval’s tenure, GOED successfully partnered the state with cutting-edge companies, technology innovations, and helped develop new industries across the Silver State.
The Governor has also directed regulation and innovation for gaming policy. By setting the pace and standards through pioneering legislation and state policy he identified the potential within the industry for interactive gaming, skill-based games and other developments in an evolving industry.
Brian Sandoval was elected the 30th Governor of Nevada in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. In 2005 he was appointed United States District Judge for the District of Nevada and in 2002 he was elected Attorney General of Nevada. He has previously served as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission and in the Nevada Legislature.
His accomplishments as Governor include work to make Nevada the most veteran and military-friendly state in the nation, transforming Nevada’s approach to economic development, expanding health care coverage, implementing new innovative gaming policy and leading the effort for an unprecedented investment in and modernization of Nevada’s public education system.
During his inaugural legislative session, Governor Sandoval transformed Nevada’s approach to economic development by moving the duties directly under his authority and created the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. During Governor Sandoval’s tenure, GOED successfully partnered the state with cutting-edge companies, technology innovations, and helped develop new industries across the Silver State.
The Governor has also directed regulation and innovation for gaming policy. By setting the pace and standards through pioneering legislation and state policy he identified the potential within the industry for interactive gaming, skill-based games and other developments in an evolving industry.
Brian Sandoval was elected the 30th Governor of Nevada in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. In 2005 he was appointed United States District Judge for the District of Nevada and in 2002 he was elected Attorney General of Nevada. He has previously served as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission and in the Nevada Legislature.
His accomplishments as Governor include work to make Nevada the most veteran and military-friendly state in the nation, transforming Nevada’s approach to economic development, expanding health care coverage, implementing new innovative gaming policy and leading the effort for an unprecedented investment in and modernization of Nevada’s public education system.
During his inaugural legislative session, Governor Sandoval transformed Nevada’s approach to economic development by moving the duties directly under his authority and created the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. During Governor Sandoval’s tenure, GOED successfully partnered the state with cutting-edge companies, technology innovations, and helped develop new industries across the Silver State.
The Governor has also directed regulation and innovation for gaming policy. By setting the pace and standards through pioneering legislation and state policy he identified the potential within the industry for interactive gaming, skill-based games and other developments in an evolving industry.
As vice president for research and innovation and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Mridul Gautam leads the articulation and implementation of a shared vision for research and guides the administrative division focused on developing world-class research and discovery, the careers and competitiveness of faculty, and the institution’s capacity as a high-impact research university and economic cornerstone of Nevada. Dr. Gautam serves as the founding President of the Nevada Research and Innovation Corporation that was established to support the University of Nevada, Reno’s research, innovation and commercialization of its intellectual property. Prior to joining the University in 2013, he was the Robert C. Byrd Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the associate vice president for research at West Virginia University (WVU). He served as the vice president for the WVU Research Corporation.
Under his leadership, Research & Innovation provides the highest quality of services and infrastructure to enable faculty, students and staff to excel in their research, scholarly and artistic endeavors and to advance innovation and commercialization. The division helps build interdisciplinary collaborations, assists researchers in obtaining and managing funding, and maintains a safe, healthy and ethical environment in which to conduct research. The division is committed to facilitating connections with industry and fostering regional entrepreneurship and collaboration through an innovative ecosystem, anchored by the Nevada Center for Applied Research and the Innevation Center University of Nevada, Reno—Powered By Switch.
Dr. Gautam serves on several national and state advisory committees including the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' Council on Research – Executive Committee, and its Research Task Force on Laboratory Safety, EPSCoR Coalition Board, Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District Clean Fuels Advisory Group, as well as a member of the National Academies’ Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable. As a member of the University President's Council, Dr. Gautam advises on major policy issues and addresses state and national issues of compelling interest to the research community.
Dr. Gautam is an internationally recognized researcher and expert in the area of heavy-duty mobile source exhaust emissions, aerosol sampling, and particulate matter measurement, characterization, and control. He has over 27 years of experience in initiating and managing large interdisciplinary and multi-institutional programs, has served as the principal investigator on over $27 million in funding, and has served as a principal investigator and/or co-principal investigator on over $80 million in funded research. Dr. Gautam has published more than 400 technical articles including refereed journal articles, symposia/published proceedings and published abstracts of papers presented at professional meetings. In addition to having a licensing agreement to his credit, he is a recipient of the Outstanding Aerosol Paper Award through the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award through the Society of Automotive Engineers, and several Outstanding Researcher of the Year awards at WVU.
Dr. Gautam received his doctorate in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University in 1989 and his master’s in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 1984.
As vice president for research and innovation and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Mridul Gautam leads the articulation and implementation of a shared vision for research and guides the administrative division focused on developing world-class research and discovery, the careers and competitiveness of faculty, and the institution’s capacity as a high-impact research university and economic cornerstone of Nevada. Dr. Gautam serves as the founding President of the Nevada Research and Innovation Corporation that was established to support the University of Nevada, Reno’s research, innovation and commercialization of its intellectual property. Prior to joining the University in 2013, he was the Robert C. Byrd Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the associate vice president for research at West Virginia University (WVU). He served as the vice president for the WVU Research Corporation.
Under his leadership, Research & Innovation provides the highest quality of services and infrastructure to enable faculty, students and staff to excel in their research, scholarly and artistic endeavors and to advance innovation and commercialization. The division helps build interdisciplinary collaborations, assists researchers in obtaining and managing funding, and maintains a safe, healthy and ethical environment in which to conduct research. The division is committed to facilitating connections with industry and fostering regional entrepreneurship and collaboration through an innovative ecosystem, anchored by the Nevada Center for Applied Research and the Innevation Center University of Nevada, Reno—Powered By Switch.
Dr. Gautam serves on several national and state advisory committees including the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' Council on Research – Executive Committee, and its Research Task Force on Laboratory Safety, EPSCoR Coalition Board, Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District Clean Fuels Advisory Group, as well as a member of the National Academies’ Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable. As a member of the University President's Council, Dr. Gautam advises on major policy issues and addresses state and national issues of compelling interest to the research community.
Dr. Gautam is an internationally recognized researcher and expert in the area of heavy-duty mobile source exhaust emissions, aerosol sampling, and particulate matter measurement, characterization, and control. He has over 27 years of experience in initiating and managing large interdisciplinary and multi-institutional programs, has served as the principal investigator on over $27 million in funding, and has served as a principal investigator and/or co-principal investigator on over $80 million in funded research. Dr. Gautam has published more than 400 technical articles including refereed journal articles, symposia/published proceedings and published abstracts of papers presented at professional meetings. In addition to having a licensing agreement to his credit, he is a recipient of the Outstanding Aerosol Paper Award through the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award through the Society of Automotive Engineers, and several Outstanding Researcher of the Year awards at WVU.
Dr. Gautam received his doctorate in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University in 1989 and his master’s in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 1984.
As vice president for research and innovation and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Mridul Gautam leads the articulation and implementation of a shared vision for research and guides the administrative division focused on developing world-class research and discovery, the careers and competitiveness of faculty, and the institution’s capacity as a high-impact research university and economic cornerstone of Nevada. Dr. Gautam serves as the founding President of the Nevada Research and Innovation Corporation that was established to support the University of Nevada, Reno’s research, innovation and commercialization of its intellectual property. Prior to joining the University in 2013, he was the Robert C. Byrd Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the associate vice president for research at West Virginia University (WVU). He served as the vice president for the WVU Research Corporation.
Under his leadership, Research & Innovation provides the highest quality of services and infrastructure to enable faculty, students and staff to excel in their research, scholarly and artistic endeavors and to advance innovation and commercialization. The division helps build interdisciplinary collaborations, assists researchers in obtaining and managing funding, and maintains a safe, healthy and ethical environment in which to conduct research. The division is committed to facilitating connections with industry and fostering regional entrepreneurship and collaboration through an innovative ecosystem, anchored by the Nevada Center for Applied Research and the Innevation Center University of Nevada, Reno—Powered By Switch.
Dr. Gautam serves on several national and state advisory committees including the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' Council on Research – Executive Committee, and its Research Task Force on Laboratory Safety, EPSCoR Coalition Board, Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District Clean Fuels Advisory Group, as well as a member of the National Academies’ Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable. As a member of the University President's Council, Dr. Gautam advises on major policy issues and addresses state and national issues of compelling interest to the research community.
Dr. Gautam is an internationally recognized researcher and expert in the area of heavy-duty mobile source exhaust emissions, aerosol sampling, and particulate matter measurement, characterization, and control. He has over 27 years of experience in initiating and managing large interdisciplinary and multi-institutional programs, has served as the principal investigator on over $27 million in funding, and has served as a principal investigator and/or co-principal investigator on over $80 million in funded research. Dr. Gautam has published more than 400 technical articles including refereed journal articles, symposia/published proceedings and published abstracts of papers presented at professional meetings. In addition to having a licensing agreement to his credit, he is a recipient of the Outstanding Aerosol Paper Award through the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award through the Society of Automotive Engineers, and several Outstanding Researcher of the Year awards at WVU.
Dr. Gautam received his doctorate in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University in 1989 and his master’s in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 1984.
Karen Freeman-Wilson has been the Mayor of her hometown of Gary, Indiana since January 2012 becoming the first female to lead the city of Gary and the first African-American female mayor in the state of Indiana. Mayor Freeman-Wilson has served in the public arena most of her professional life having previously served as the Indiana Attorney General, the Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and the presiding judge of the Gary City Court. She is also a leader in the national drug court movement having served as the CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and Executive Director of the National Drug Court Institute.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson quickly attributes the signs of progress in Gary to the efforts of "Team Gary," a group that includes city staff, members of other branches of government at the federal, state and local levels and those in the corporate, educational and non-profit arena who have joined the effort to rebuild the city of Gary. Accomplishments include extensive paving, new job creation, the completion of a 100 million dollar airport runway relocation, the creation of Art House: A Social Kitchen, a work of public art and culinary incubator supported through funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Knight Foundation, and the development of key areas in the city including the Miller Beach, Emerson, University Park and Downtown neighborhoods.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She is the First Vice President of the National League of Cities and Chairperson of the Criminal and Social Justice Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. She also chaired the committee that authored the U.S. Conference of Mayors' publication on building police and community trust. Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a member of Israel C.M.E. Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Links, Inc., the NAACP, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana and the Indiana Bar.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson and her husband Carmen Wilson, II have a blended family of four children.
Karen Freeman-Wilson has been the Mayor of her hometown of Gary, Indiana since January 2012 becoming the first female to lead the city of Gary and the first African-American female mayor in the state of Indiana. Mayor Freeman-Wilson has served in the public arena most of her professional life having previously served as the Indiana Attorney General, the Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and the presiding judge of the Gary City Court. She is also a leader in the national drug court movement having served as the CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and Executive Director of the National Drug Court Institute.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson quickly attributes the signs of progress in Gary to the efforts of "Team Gary," a group that includes city staff, members of other branches of government at the federal, state and local levels and those in the corporate, educational and non-profit arena who have joined the effort to rebuild the city of Gary. Accomplishments include extensive paving, new job creation, the completion of a 100 million dollar airport runway relocation, the creation of Art House: A Social Kitchen, a work of public art and culinary incubator supported through funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Knight Foundation, and the development of key areas in the city including the Miller Beach, Emerson, University Park and Downtown neighborhoods.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She is the First Vice President of the National League of Cities and Chairperson of the Criminal and Social Justice Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. She also chaired the committee that authored the U.S. Conference of Mayors' publication on building police and community trust. Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a member of Israel C.M.E. Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Links, Inc., the NAACP, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana and the Indiana Bar.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson and her husband Carmen Wilson, II have a blended family of four children.
Karen Freeman-Wilson has been the Mayor of her hometown of Gary, Indiana since January 2012 becoming the first female to lead the city of Gary and the first African-American female mayor in the state of Indiana. Mayor Freeman-Wilson has served in the public arena most of her professional life having previously served as the Indiana Attorney General, the Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and the presiding judge of the Gary City Court. She is also a leader in the national drug court movement having served as the CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and Executive Director of the National Drug Court Institute.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson quickly attributes the signs of progress in Gary to the efforts of "Team Gary," a group that includes city staff, members of other branches of government at the federal, state and local levels and those in the corporate, educational and non-profit arena who have joined the effort to rebuild the city of Gary. Accomplishments include extensive paving, new job creation, the completion of a 100 million dollar airport runway relocation, the creation of Art House: A Social Kitchen, a work of public art and culinary incubator supported through funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Knight Foundation, and the development of key areas in the city including the Miller Beach, Emerson, University Park and Downtown neighborhoods.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She is the First Vice President of the National League of Cities and Chairperson of the Criminal and Social Justice Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. She also chaired the committee that authored the U.S. Conference of Mayors' publication on building police and community trust. Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a member of Israel C.M.E. Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Links, Inc., the NAACP, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana and the Indiana Bar.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson and her husband Carmen Wilson, II have a blended family of four children.
Karen Freeman-Wilson has been the Mayor of her hometown of Gary, Indiana since January 2012 becoming the first female to lead the city of Gary and the first African-American female mayor in the state of Indiana. Mayor Freeman-Wilson has served in the public arena most of her professional life having previously served as the Indiana Attorney General, the Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and the presiding judge of the Gary City Court. She is also a leader in the national drug court movement having served as the CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and Executive Director of the National Drug Court Institute.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson quickly attributes the signs of progress in Gary to the efforts of "Team Gary," a group that includes city staff, members of other branches of government at the federal, state and local levels and those in the corporate, educational and non-profit arena who have joined the effort to rebuild the city of Gary. Accomplishments include extensive paving, new job creation, the completion of a 100 million dollar airport runway relocation, the creation of Art House: A Social Kitchen, a work of public art and culinary incubator supported through funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Knight Foundation, and the development of key areas in the city including the Miller Beach, Emerson, University Park and Downtown neighborhoods.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She is the First Vice President of the National League of Cities and Chairperson of the Criminal and Social Justice Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. She also chaired the committee that authored the U.S. Conference of Mayors' publication on building police and community trust. Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a member of Israel C.M.E. Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Links, Inc., the NAACP, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana and the Indiana Bar.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson and her husband Carmen Wilson, II have a blended family of four children.
Chief Science Officer and co-founder of axialHealthcare, Dr. Elizabeth Ann Stringer leads the data science and analytics teams in research, development, analysis and reporting of client data, as well as co-leads sales efforts. Joining the team in 2013 as the third overall hire, she helped build the company from its earliest days. She developed axialHealthcare’s methodological approach, ran the first analyses, derived the company’s value proposition, created the first analytical models, built the first product, sold to the company’s first client and helped raise capital.
Chief Science Officer and co-founder of axialHealthcare, Dr. Elizabeth Ann Stringer leads the data science and analytics teams in research, development, analysis and reporting of client data, as well as co-leads sales efforts. Joining the team in 2013 as the third overall hire, she helped build the company from its earliest days. She developed axialHealthcare’s methodological approach, ran the first analyses, derived the company’s value proposition, created the first analytical models, built the first product, sold to the company’s first client and helped raise capital.
Chief Science Officer and co-founder of axialHealthcare, Dr. Elizabeth Ann Stringer leads the data science and analytics teams in research, development, analysis and reporting of client data, as well as co-leads sales efforts. Joining the team in 2013 as the third overall hire, she helped build the company from its earliest days. She developed axialHealthcare’s methodological approach, ran the first analyses, derived the company’s value proposition, created the first analytical models, built the first product, sold to the company’s first client and helped raise capital.
Dr. Tim R. Holcomb holds the Cintas Chair in Entrepreneurship in the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. Tim previously held the Jim Moran Professor of Entrepreneurship and served as executive director of The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. While at Florida State, he helped raise $100M to establish the nation's largest interdisciplinary entrepreneurship school, the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. Tim earned his Ph.D. in strategic management and entrepreneurship from the Mays Business
School at Texas A&M University, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in
accounting and information systems and his MBA from the University of
Louisiana at Monroe.
Dr. Holcomb’s research interests include resource management and human capital theory, behavioral decision theory and judgmental decision-making, and venture formation, funding, and growth. Tim’s research appears in leading journals and has earned awards from the
Academy of Management, the Strategic Management Society, the Kauffman Foundation, and Babson College. He has published more than 30 research articles, book chapters, and edited proceedings, including seven in FT50 journals. He currently serves on editorial boards for three FT50 journals: Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, and Journal of Management. He also serves on the Board of Reviewers for the Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference and on the Research Committee of the Entrepreneurship Division in the 21,000+ member Academy of Management and was previously elected to serve a 3-year term on the Executive Committee of the Strategy Division.
Dr. Holcomb has more than 30 years of strategy consulting, international business, and startup experience, including work in the U.S. and more than 25 countries. He has founded eight startups, raising more than $20 million in venture funding for those companies. Tim began his professional career at Accenture in strategy, where he consulted with Fortune 100 companies for thirteen years. He later founded Telcom Global Solutions (TGS) and two related operating companies and served as President and COO. At Telcom, he built a $30M services business with more than 250 employees that helped companies like AT&T, Telefónica, Vodafone, and Telia Company design, build, and run their fixed and
mobile networks in ten countries before exiting through a sale of the company to Flex (formerly Flextronics), a Fortune 500 firm, in 2001. He later served as senior vice president at Flex, where he established and ran the company’s $800M network service division.
Dr. Tim R. Holcomb holds the Cintas Chair in Entrepreneurship in the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. Tim previously held the Jim Moran Professor of Entrepreneurship and served as executive director of The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. While at Florida State, he helped raise $100M to establish the nation's largest interdisciplinary entrepreneurship school, the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. Tim earned his Ph.D. in strategic management and entrepreneurship from the Mays Business
School at Texas A&M University, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in
accounting and information systems and his MBA from the University of
Louisiana at Monroe.
Dr. Holcomb’s research interests include resource management and human capital theory, behavioral decision theory and judgmental decision-making, and venture formation, funding, and growth. Tim’s research appears in leading journals and has earned awards from the
Academy of Management, the Strategic Management Society, the Kauffman Foundation, and Babson College. He has published more than 30 research articles, book chapters, and edited proceedings, including seven in FT50 journals. He currently serves on editorial boards for three FT50 journals: Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, and Journal of Management. He also serves on the Board of Reviewers for the Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference and on the Research Committee of the Entrepreneurship Division in the 21,000+ member Academy of Management and was previously elected to serve a 3-year term on the Executive Committee of the Strategy Division.
Dr. Holcomb has more than 30 years of strategy consulting, international business, and startup experience, including work in the U.S. and more than 25 countries. He has founded eight startups, raising more than $20 million in venture funding for those companies. Tim began his professional career at Accenture in strategy, where he consulted with Fortune 100 companies for thirteen years. He later founded Telcom Global Solutions (TGS) and two related operating companies and served as President and COO. At Telcom, he built a $30M services business with more than 250 employees that helped companies like AT&T, Telefónica, Vodafone, and Telia Company design, build, and run their fixed and
mobile networks in ten countries before exiting through a sale of the company to Flex (formerly Flextronics), a Fortune 500 firm, in 2001. He later served as senior vice president at Flex, where he established and ran the company’s $800M network service division.
Dr. Tim R. Holcomb holds the Cintas Chair in Entrepreneurship in the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. Tim previously held the Jim Moran Professor of Entrepreneurship and served as executive director of The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. While at Florida State, he helped raise $100M to establish the nation's largest interdisciplinary entrepreneurship school, the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. Tim earned his Ph.D. in strategic management and entrepreneurship from the Mays Business
School at Texas A&M University, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in
accounting and information systems and his MBA from the University of
Louisiana at Monroe.
Dr. Holcomb’s research interests include resource management and human capital theory, behavioral decision theory and judgmental decision-making, and venture formation, funding, and growth. Tim’s research appears in leading journals and has earned awards from the
Academy of Management, the Strategic Management Society, the Kauffman Foundation, and Babson College. He has published more than 30 research articles, book chapters, and edited proceedings, including seven in FT50 journals. He currently serves on editorial boards for three FT50 journals: Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, and Journal of Management. He also serves on the Board of Reviewers for the Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference and on the Research Committee of the Entrepreneurship Division in the 21,000+ member Academy of Management and was previously elected to serve a 3-year term on the Executive Committee of the Strategy Division.
Dr. Holcomb has more than 30 years of strategy consulting, international business, and startup experience, including work in the U.S. and more than 25 countries. He has founded eight startups, raising more than $20 million in venture funding for those companies. Tim began his professional career at Accenture in strategy, where he consulted with Fortune 100 companies for thirteen years. He later founded Telcom Global Solutions (TGS) and two related operating companies and served as President and COO. At Telcom, he built a $30M services business with more than 250 employees that helped companies like AT&T, Telefónica, Vodafone, and Telia Company design, build, and run their fixed and
mobile networks in ten countries before exiting through a sale of the company to Flex (formerly Flextronics), a Fortune 500 firm, in 2001. He later served as senior vice president at Flex, where he established and ran the company’s $800M network service division.
Graduate, Princeton; studies, Harvard Business School. Started career in politics in the Obama 2008 campaign, assisting in the election and transition of the first Obama Administration; 2009, elected to the Montgomery County Board of Education, overseeing a budget of over $4 billion for 22,000 public employees. Former President, 750,000-member National Youth Association. Founder, Operation Fly, a national 501(c)(3) organization that served inner-city children in underprivileged areas around the country. Currently, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FiscalNote, a government relationship management platform that uses artificial intelligence, analytics and natural language processing to help global organizations take control of their government risk and automate the law. The company has offices in Washington DC, New York City, Seoul, and the European Union and is one of the largest privately held companies in the legal analytics space, powering 21.9 million users and 1,300 law firms, legal departments and governments across its platforms. FiscalNote is revolutionizing access to legislation, regulations and court cases for organizations around the world. World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. Trustee, Board, Greater Washington Community Foundation (the largest funder of non-profit and philanthropic initiatives in the region). Member: Economic Club of Washington, DC; Young Presidents’ Organization. Recipient of honours and awards.
Graduate, Princeton; studies, Harvard Business School. Started career in politics in the Obama 2008 campaign, assisting in the election and transition of the first Obama Administration; 2009, elected to the Montgomery County Board of Education, overseeing a budget of over $4 billion for 22,000 public employees. Former President, 750,000-member National Youth Association. Founder, Operation Fly, a national 501(c)(3) organization that served inner-city children in underprivileged areas around the country. Currently, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FiscalNote, a government relationship management platform that uses artificial intelligence, analytics and natural language processing to help global organizations take control of their government risk and automate the law. The company has offices in Washington DC, New York City, Seoul, and the European Union and is one of the largest privately held companies in the legal analytics space, powering 21.9 million users and 1,300 law firms, legal departments and governments across its platforms. FiscalNote is revolutionizing access to legislation, regulations and court cases for organizations around the world. World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. Trustee, Board, Greater Washington Community Foundation (the largest funder of non-profit and philanthropic initiatives in the region). Member: Economic Club of Washington, DC; Young Presidents’ Organization. Recipient of honours and awards.
Graduate, Princeton; studies, Harvard Business School. Started career in politics in the Obama 2008 campaign, assisting in the election and transition of the first Obama Administration; 2009, elected to the Montgomery County Board of Education, overseeing a budget of over $4 billion for 22,000 public employees. Former President, 750,000-member National Youth Association. Founder, Operation Fly, a national 501(c)(3) organization that served inner-city children in underprivileged areas around the country. Currently, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FiscalNote, a government relationship management platform that uses artificial intelligence, analytics and natural language processing to help global organizations take control of their government risk and automate the law. The company has offices in Washington DC, New York City, Seoul, and the European Union and is one of the largest privately held companies in the legal analytics space, powering 21.9 million users and 1,300 law firms, legal departments and governments across its platforms. FiscalNote is revolutionizing access to legislation, regulations and court cases for organizations around the world. World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. Trustee, Board, Greater Washington Community Foundation (the largest funder of non-profit and philanthropic initiatives in the region). Member: Economic Club of Washington, DC; Young Presidents’ Organization. Recipient of honours and awards.
Colleen’s career spans clinical research, engineering, biochemistry, product development, and technical entrepreneurship. She has held positions as a researcher on master thesis projects at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Weill Cornell Medical College, NYC, in surgical device design and pre-clinical studies at Covidien Surgical Devices, and in tissue engineering research at RPI. Colleen has several patents pending and holds a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Technological Entrepreneurship from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY. She has additionally been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg, ABC was named as a Forbes Magazine 30 Under 30 recipient in Enterprise Technology, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 Most Brilliant Young Founders, 50 Emerging Global Entrepreneurs to Watch by Inc. Magazine, Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 and is a selected member of the Kairos Society. In the elusive ‘free time’ she has, Colleen enjoys traveling to places she’s never been and can be found on a ski slope or watching the Premier League.
Colleen’s career spans clinical research, engineering, biochemistry, product development, and technical entrepreneurship. She has held positions as a researcher on master thesis projects at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Weill Cornell Medical College, NYC, in surgical device design and pre-clinical studies at Covidien Surgical Devices, and in tissue engineering research at RPI. Colleen has several patents pending and holds a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Technological Entrepreneurship from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY. She has additionally been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg, ABC was named as a Forbes Magazine 30 Under 30 recipient in Enterprise Technology, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 Most Brilliant Young Founders, 50 Emerging Global Entrepreneurs to Watch by Inc. Magazine, Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 and is a selected member of the Kairos Society. In the elusive ‘free time’ she has, Colleen enjoys traveling to places she’s never been and can be found on a ski slope or watching the Premier League.
Colleen’s career spans clinical research, engineering, biochemistry, product development, and technical entrepreneurship. She has held positions as a researcher on master thesis projects at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Weill Cornell Medical College, NYC, in surgical device design and pre-clinical studies at Covidien Surgical Devices, and in tissue engineering research at RPI. Colleen has several patents pending and holds a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Technological Entrepreneurship from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY. She has additionally been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg, ABC was named as a Forbes Magazine 30 Under 30 recipient in Enterprise Technology, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 Most Brilliant Young Founders, 50 Emerging Global Entrepreneurs to Watch by Inc. Magazine, Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 and is a selected member of the Kairos Society. In the elusive ‘free time’ she has, Colleen enjoys traveling to places she’s never been and can be found on a ski slope or watching the Premier League.
Today, Lunar Wireless, the only carrier on the market to offer a mobile data plan with no monthly fees, launches nationwide. With $4.1M in funding led by 8VC and a partnership with BLU Products to launch their $99 flagship phone the BLU S1, Lunar is for people that are paying hundreds of dollars every month for their phone bill, frustrated that they are charged for data they don’t use.
Founders and Thiel Fellows Hunter Rosenblume and Rohith Varanasi have created a unique "Pay What You Want" model that allows users to pay per-app for data. This model is akin to companies like MetroMile, where consumers pay-per-mile for their car insurance versus a flat monthly rate. With Lunar, instead of trying to track data usage per-gigabyte, customers pay for only the data they want for the day. Upon opening any app, users are prompted to pay 25¢ to use it on the nation’s largest 4G networks for 24 hours. Apps used offline or on WiFi are free. With other plans, customers are paying a bill that doesn’t pay attention to their individual app usage. With Lunar, there's no counting gigabytes and no overages. You pay for what you want, when you want it, and that's it. Hence, “Pay What You Want.”
“With the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy phones costing upwards of $1,000, we have reached a tipping point and people want an alternative,” said Lunar Wireless CEO Hunter Rosenblume. “Historically, budget phones have been associated with a budget experience. This is no longer true. Powerful, feature-rich devices don't have to cost a mortgage, and a high monthly bill from a big carrier isn't a requirement to get quality service.”
For too long, big telecom conglomerates have conditioned people to believe that having a mobile phone and decent data plan has to cost hundreds of dollars per month. Not true. According to a recent J.D. Power U.S. wireless study, the average individual cell phone bill is roughly $85. Lunar customers spend an average of $15 in a month and save more than $600 per year. The highest spend the company has seen thus far has been $48.
"I've been involved with the mobile industry for almost two decades, first as a tech journalist and now as an investor. Lunar, with its innovative new model, is one of most exciting companies I've ever come across," said Peter Rojas, partner at Betaworks Ventures. "It's one of our largest investments to date, and not hard to see why. Lunar is solving one of the biggest unsolved challenges in mobile industry: how do you cut that hefty monthly data bill while still offering high-quality phones and service?"
Today, Lunar Wireless, the only carrier on the market to offer a mobile data plan with no monthly fees, launches nationwide. With $4.1M in funding led by 8VC and a partnership with BLU Products to launch their $99 flagship phone the BLU S1, Lunar is for people that are paying hundreds of dollars every month for their phone bill, frustrated that they are charged for data they don’t use.
Founders and Thiel Fellows Hunter Rosenblume and Rohith Varanasi have created a unique "Pay What You Want" model that allows users to pay per-app for data. This model is akin to companies like MetroMile, where consumers pay-per-mile for their car insurance versus a flat monthly rate. With Lunar, instead of trying to track data usage per-gigabyte, customers pay for only the data they want for the day. Upon opening any app, users are prompted to pay 25¢ to use it on the nation’s largest 4G networks for 24 hours. Apps used offline or on WiFi are free. With other plans, customers are paying a bill that doesn’t pay attention to their individual app usage. With Lunar, there's no counting gigabytes and no overages. You pay for what you want, when you want it, and that's it. Hence, “Pay What You Want.”
“With the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy phones costing upwards of $1,000, we have reached a tipping point and people want an alternative,” said Lunar Wireless CEO Hunter Rosenblume. “Historically, budget phones have been associated with a budget experience. This is no longer true. Powerful, feature-rich devices don't have to cost a mortgage, and a high monthly bill from a big carrier isn't a requirement to get quality service.”
For too long, big telecom conglomerates have conditioned people to believe that having a mobile phone and decent data plan has to cost hundreds of dollars per month. Not true. According to a recent J.D. Power U.S. wireless study, the average individual cell phone bill is roughly $85. Lunar customers spend an average of $15 in a month and save more than $600 per year. The highest spend the company has seen thus far has been $48.
"I've been involved with the mobile industry for almost two decades, first as a tech journalist and now as an investor. Lunar, with its innovative new model, is one of most exciting companies I've ever come across," said Peter Rojas, partner at Betaworks Ventures. "It's one of our largest investments to date, and not hard to see why. Lunar is solving one of the biggest unsolved challenges in mobile industry: how do you cut that hefty monthly data bill while still offering high-quality phones and service?"
Today, Lunar Wireless, the only carrier on the market to offer a mobile data plan with no monthly fees, launches nationwide. With $4.1M in funding led by 8VC and a partnership with BLU Products to launch their $99 flagship phone the BLU S1, Lunar is for people that are paying hundreds of dollars every month for their phone bill, frustrated that they are charged for data they don’t use.
Founders and Thiel Fellows Hunter Rosenblume and Rohith Varanasi have created a unique "Pay What You Want" model that allows users to pay per-app for data. This model is akin to companies like MetroMile, where consumers pay-per-mile for their car insurance versus a flat monthly rate. With Lunar, instead of trying to track data usage per-gigabyte, customers pay for only the data they want for the day. Upon opening any app, users are prompted to pay 25¢ to use it on the nation’s largest 4G networks for 24 hours. Apps used offline or on WiFi are free. With other plans, customers are paying a bill that doesn’t pay attention to their individual app usage. With Lunar, there's no counting gigabytes and no overages. You pay for what you want, when you want it, and that's it. Hence, “Pay What You Want.”
“With the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy phones costing upwards of $1,000, we have reached a tipping point and people want an alternative,” said Lunar Wireless CEO Hunter Rosenblume. “Historically, budget phones have been associated with a budget experience. This is no longer true. Powerful, feature-rich devices don't have to cost a mortgage, and a high monthly bill from a big carrier isn't a requirement to get quality service.”
For too long, big telecom conglomerates have conditioned people to believe that having a mobile phone and decent data plan has to cost hundreds of dollars per month. Not true. According to a recent J.D. Power U.S. wireless study, the average individual cell phone bill is roughly $85. Lunar customers spend an average of $15 in a month and save more than $600 per year. The highest spend the company has seen thus far has been $48.
"I've been involved with the mobile industry for almost two decades, first as a tech journalist and now as an investor. Lunar, with its innovative new model, is one of most exciting companies I've ever come across," said Peter Rojas, partner at Betaworks Ventures. "It's one of our largest investments to date, and not hard to see why. Lunar is solving one of the biggest unsolved challenges in mobile industry: how do you cut that hefty monthly data bill while still offering high-quality phones and service?"
Sean Henry is the Founder and CEO of STORD, an investment-backed warehousing startup. Sean is recognized in the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Manufacturing and Industry. He was featured in INC.com as one of the Global Top 50 Emerging Entrepreneurs of 2017 and in Inc.com as America's Top 30 Emerging Startups of 2017. He is also a member of the 2016 cohort of the Dynamo Accelerator and Fund in Chattanooga, TN. Recognized as a Karios K50 Founder as one of the Top 50 Founders of 2017 under 26 around the Globe. Georgia Tech. Gear Head.
Sean Henry is the Founder and CEO of STORD, an investment-backed warehousing startup. Sean is recognized in the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Manufacturing and Industry. He was featured in INC.com as one of the Global Top 50 Emerging Entrepreneurs of 2017 and in Inc.com as America's Top 30 Emerging Startups of 2017. He is also a member of the 2016 cohort of the Dynamo Accelerator and Fund in Chattanooga, TN. Recognized as a Karios K50 Founder as one of the Top 50 Founders of 2017 under 26 around the Globe. Georgia Tech. Gear Head.
Sean Henry is the Founder and CEO of STORD, an investment-backed warehousing startup. Sean is recognized in the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Manufacturing and Industry. He was featured in INC.com as one of the Global Top 50 Emerging Entrepreneurs of 2017 and in Inc.com as America's Top 30 Emerging Startups of 2017. He is also a member of the 2016 cohort of the Dynamo Accelerator and Fund in Chattanooga, TN. Recognized as a Karios K50 Founder as one of the Top 50 Founders of 2017 under 26 around the Globe. Georgia Tech. Gear Head.
As CEO of Upwork, the largest freelancing website, Stephane Kasriel is an active participant in helping shape the future of work. He leads Upwork’s efforts to create a future in which people can work together without limits, free of time and place constraints that have held back opportunities from people due to geography, especially from underserved areas within the U.S.
Stephane currently also serves as the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s council on education, gender and work. The council, under Stephane’s leadership, is examining ways to approach the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” in order to maximize and equalize opportunities in the global labor market. This year Stephane led multiple panels at the annual gathering in Davos to further discussion of where the jobs of the future will be and prepare our workforce for them. Stephane's perspective has been shared in VentureBeat articles such as "Remote Work Offers The Heartland an Opportunity to Transcend Geographic Constraints" and "To Tap Into Hidden Talent Pools, You Need to Know How to Build a Remote Team."
As CEO of Upwork, the largest freelancing website, Stephane Kasriel is an active participant in helping shape the future of work. He leads Upwork’s efforts to create a future in which people can work together without limits, free of time and place constraints that have held back opportunities from people due to geography, especially from underserved areas within the U.S.
Stephane currently also serves as the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s council on education, gender and work. The council, under Stephane’s leadership, is examining ways to approach the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” in order to maximize and equalize opportunities in the global labor market. This year Stephane led multiple panels at the annual gathering in Davos to further discussion of where the jobs of the future will be and prepare our workforce for them. Stephane's perspective has been shared in VentureBeat articles such as "Remote Work Offers The Heartland an Opportunity to Transcend Geographic Constraints" and "To Tap Into Hidden Talent Pools, You Need to Know How to Build a Remote Team."
As CEO of Upwork, the largest freelancing website, Stephane Kasriel is an active participant in helping shape the future of work. He leads Upwork’s efforts to create a future in which people can work together without limits, free of time and place constraints that have held back opportunities from people due to geography, especially from underserved areas within the U.S.
Stephane currently also serves as the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s council on education, gender and work. The council, under Stephane’s leadership, is examining ways to approach the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” in order to maximize and equalize opportunities in the global labor market. This year Stephane led multiple panels at the annual gathering in Davos to further discussion of where the jobs of the future will be and prepare our workforce for them. Stephane's perspective has been shared in VentureBeat articles such as "Remote Work Offers The Heartland an Opportunity to Transcend Geographic Constraints" and "To Tap Into Hidden Talent Pools, You Need to Know How to Build a Remote Team."
Steve Glickman is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), a new research, policy, and advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. focused on advancing solutions that empower entrepreneurs and investors to forge a more dynamic U.S. economy
Steve is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches on economic diplomacy and international trade in the School of Foreign Service.
He previously served in the Obama Administration, most recently as a senior economic advisor at the National Security Council, where he managed trade and investment issues, and on the National Economic Council, where he was responsible for manufacturing and small business programs. Earlier, Steve served as Deputy Associate Counsel at the White House, and Chief of Sta for the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service at the Department of Commerce.
Prior to his service in the Administration, Steve worked on Capitol Hill as Counsel to Chairman Henry Waxman on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He began his legal career as a Federal prosecutor at the Department of Justice.
Steve received his B.A. and M.A. from Georgetown University, J.D. from Columbia Law School, and LL.M. from the London School of Economics. He is a CFR Term Member, Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow, and Truman National Security Project Fellow.
Steve’s work has been featured in the Atlantic, BBC, Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, CCTV, Fortune, The Hill, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, NPR, Politico, Roll Call, San Francisco Chronicle, TechCrunch, Telemundo, Time, Toronto Star, U.S. News and World Report, Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
Born in Detroit, and raised in LA, Steve now lives with his wife, Christen, in DC. He is a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Georgetown Hoyas, & Michigan Wolverines.
Steve Glickman is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), a new research, policy, and advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. focused on advancing solutions that empower entrepreneurs and investors to forge a more dynamic U.S. economy
Steve is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches on economic diplomacy and international trade in the School of Foreign Service.
He previously served in the Obama Administration, most recently as a senior economic advisor at the National Security Council, where he managed trade and investment issues, and on the National Economic Council, where he was responsible for manufacturing and small business programs. Earlier, Steve served as Deputy Associate Counsel at the White House, and Chief of Sta for the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service at the Department of Commerce.
Prior to his service in the Administration, Steve worked on Capitol Hill as Counsel to Chairman Henry Waxman on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He began his legal career as a Federal prosecutor at the Department of Justice.
Steve received his B.A. and M.A. from Georgetown University, J.D. from Columbia Law School, and LL.M. from the London School of Economics. He is a CFR Term Member, Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow, and Truman National Security Project Fellow.
Steve’s work has been featured in the Atlantic, BBC, Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, CCTV, Fortune, The Hill, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, NPR, Politico, Roll Call, San Francisco Chronicle, TechCrunch, Telemundo, Time, Toronto Star, U.S. News and World Report, Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
Born in Detroit, and raised in LA, Steve now lives with his wife, Christen, in DC. He is a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Georgetown Hoyas, & Michigan Wolverines.
Steve Glickman is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), a new research, policy, and advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. focused on advancing solutions that empower entrepreneurs and investors to forge a more dynamic U.S. economy
Steve is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches on economic diplomacy and international trade in the School of Foreign Service.
He previously served in the Obama Administration, most recently as a senior economic advisor at the National Security Council, where he managed trade and investment issues, and on the National Economic Council, where he was responsible for manufacturing and small business programs. Earlier, Steve served as Deputy Associate Counsel at the White House, and Chief of Sta for the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service at the Department of Commerce.
Prior to his service in the Administration, Steve worked on Capitol Hill as Counsel to Chairman Henry Waxman on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He began his legal career as a Federal prosecutor at the Department of Justice.
Steve received his B.A. and M.A. from Georgetown University, J.D. from Columbia Law School, and LL.M. from the London School of Economics. He is a CFR Term Member, Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow, and Truman National Security Project Fellow.
Steve’s work has been featured in the Atlantic, BBC, Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, CCTV, Fortune, The Hill, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, NPR, Politico, Roll Call, San Francisco Chronicle, TechCrunch, Telemundo, Time, Toronto Star, U.S. News and World Report, Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
Born in Detroit, and raised in LA, Steve now lives with his wife, Christen, in DC. He is a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Georgetown Hoyas, & Michigan Wolverines.
Steve Glickman is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), a new research, policy, and advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. focused on advancing solutions that empower entrepreneurs and investors to forge a more dynamic U.S. economy
Steve is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches on economic diplomacy and international trade in the School of Foreign Service.
He previously served in the Obama Administration, most recently as a senior economic advisor at the National Security Council, where he managed trade and investment issues, and on the National Economic Council, where he was responsible for manufacturing and small business programs. Earlier, Steve served as Deputy Associate Counsel at the White House, and Chief of Sta for the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service at the Department of Commerce.
Prior to his service in the Administration, Steve worked on Capitol Hill as Counsel to Chairman Henry Waxman on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He began his legal career as a Federal prosecutor at the Department of Justice.
Steve received his B.A. and M.A. from Georgetown University, J.D. from Columbia Law School, and LL.M. from the London School of Economics. He is a CFR Term Member, Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow, and Truman National Security Project Fellow.
Steve’s work has been featured in the Atlantic, BBC, Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, CCTV, Fortune, The Hill, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, NPR, Politico, Roll Call, San Francisco Chronicle, TechCrunch, Telemundo, Time, Toronto Star, U.S. News and World Report, Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
Born in Detroit, and raised in LA, Steve now lives with his wife, Christen, in DC. He is a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Georgetown Hoyas, & Michigan Wolverines.
David was born and raised in San Antonio and is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he earned his Bachelors of Business Management and his teaching certificate in Biology. In addition to working with Apple, where he was responsible for recruitment, hiring, talent development, and career paths for team members, David has also held leadership positions with Sears and Gateway. At Gateway, he implemented the rollout for the store within a store concept in partnership with OfficeMax.
David’s experiences in the world of leading customer service groups and retail business units in the last 15 years is enough to write any number of books. Customer negotiations, operations management, technical support, and especially revenue through customer experience interactions - David has been there and seen it all thanks to his tenures with Gateway Computers, Apple, and now Geekdom. He has helped shape the formative years of many leaders in the SA tech ecosystem and is continuing those efforts at Geekdom.
David was born and raised in San Antonio and is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he earned his Bachelors of Business Management and his teaching certificate in Biology. In addition to working with Apple, where he was responsible for recruitment, hiring, talent development, and career paths for team members, David has also held leadership positions with Sears and Gateway. At Gateway, he implemented the rollout for the store within a store concept in partnership with OfficeMax.
David’s experiences in the world of leading customer service groups and retail business units in the last 15 years is enough to write any number of books. Customer negotiations, operations management, technical support, and especially revenue through customer experience interactions - David has been there and seen it all thanks to his tenures with Gateway Computers, Apple, and now Geekdom. He has helped shape the formative years of many leaders in the SA tech ecosystem and is continuing those efforts at Geekdom.
David was born and raised in San Antonio and is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he earned his Bachelors of Business Management and his teaching certificate in Biology. In addition to working with Apple, where he was responsible for recruitment, hiring, talent development, and career paths for team members, David has also held leadership positions with Sears and Gateway. At Gateway, he implemented the rollout for the store within a store concept in partnership with OfficeMax.
David’s experiences in the world of leading customer service groups and retail business units in the last 15 years is enough to write any number of books. Customer negotiations, operations management, technical support, and especially revenue through customer experience interactions - David has been there and seen it all thanks to his tenures with Gateway Computers, Apple, and now Geekdom. He has helped shape the formative years of many leaders in the SA tech ecosystem and is continuing those efforts at Geekdom.
Amy Westervelt is an award-winning print and radio reporter who contributes regularly to The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and various NPR shows and stations. Her work also has appeared in Popular Science, Elle, Teen Vogue, and many other publications. She has received a Folio Award and a Rachel Carson Award for her reporting on environmental issues, as well as a Murrow Award for her radio reporting. Amy also co-hosts and produces several podcasts and is the co-founder of Critical Frequency, the first woman-run podcast network. Amy's book, Forget Having It All: How America Messed Up Motherhood—and How to Fix It is due out from the Hachette Book Group in November 2018. Amy lives in Truckee, Ca, and has been reporting on tech in Reno for several years.
Amy Westervelt is an award-winning print and radio reporter who contributes regularly to The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and various NPR shows and stations. Her work also has appeared in Popular Science, Elle, Teen Vogue, and many other publications. She has received a Folio Award and a Rachel Carson Award for her reporting on environmental issues, as well as a Murrow Award for her radio reporting. Amy also co-hosts and produces several podcasts and is the co-founder of Critical Frequency, the first woman-run podcast network. Amy's book, Forget Having It All: How America Messed Up Motherhood—and How to Fix It is due out from the Hachette Book Group in November 2018. Amy lives in Truckee, Ca, and has been reporting on tech in Reno for several years.
Curtis has more than 20 years of diverse experience both in startup environments and
corporate settings. As CFO at Sojern, he is focused on scaling Sojern’s growth.
Curtis has a long history of finance and travel experience, including stints at the SEC,
the Federal Reserve Board, Chase Manhattan Bank, United Airlines and, most recently,
back-to- back CFO posts at startups in San Francisco. He was co-founder of Affinity
Labs and supported its successful exit. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics from
Brigham Young University and has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of
Business.
Curtis has more than 20 years of diverse experience both in startup environments and
corporate settings. As CFO at Sojern, he is focused on scaling Sojern’s growth.
Curtis has a long history of finance and travel experience, including stints at the SEC,
the Federal Reserve Board, Chase Manhattan Bank, United Airlines and, most recently,
back-to- back CFO posts at startups in San Francisco. He was co-founder of Affinity
Labs and supported its successful exit. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics from
Brigham Young University and has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of
Business.
Curtis has more than 20 years of diverse experience both in startup environments and
corporate settings. As CFO at Sojern, he is focused on scaling Sojern’s growth.
Curtis has a long history of finance and travel experience, including stints at the SEC,
the Federal Reserve Board, Chase Manhattan Bank, United Airlines and, most recently,
back-to- back CFO posts at startups in San Francisco. He was co-founder of Affinity
Labs and supported its successful exit. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics from
Brigham Young University and has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of
Business.
Todd Olson is co-founder and CEO of Pendo, a product experience platform that helps product teams create software customers love. A three-time entrepreneur, Todd has experienced the highs and lows of running fast-growth technology companies. His first venture-backed startup shut down during the dotcom era; his second was sold to Rally Software, where he stayed on as Vice President of Products through its IPO. His third is Pendo, which he founded with fellow product leaders and technologists from Red Hat, Cisco and Google in Raleigh in October 2013. The team has raised $56 million in venture capital, landed more than 500 customers and now employs 170 people across four offices. It was named a Top 50 U.S. Startup by LinkedIn in 2017 and a top 10 startup to watch outside Silicon Valley by VentureBeat in 2018.
Todd frequently speaks at industry events on topics like Agile software development, product management, startup fundraising and entrepreneurship. Outside of work, he’s typically enjoying life in Raleigh with his wife and four children, aged 1 to 21. He also loves to bake, especially cakes.
Todd Olson is co-founder and CEO of Pendo, a product experience platform that helps product teams create software customers love. A three-time entrepreneur, Todd has experienced the highs and lows of running fast-growth technology companies. His first venture-backed startup shut down during the dotcom era; his second was sold to Rally Software, where he stayed on as Vice President of Products through its IPO. His third is Pendo, which he founded with fellow product leaders and technologists from Red Hat, Cisco and Google in Raleigh in October 2013. The team has raised $56 million in venture capital, landed more than 500 customers and now employs 170 people across four offices. It was named a Top 50 U.S. Startup by LinkedIn in 2017 and a top 10 startup to watch outside Silicon Valley by VentureBeat in 2018.
Todd frequently speaks at industry events on topics like Agile software development, product management, startup fundraising and entrepreneurship. Outside of work, he’s typically enjoying life in Raleigh with his wife and four children, aged 1 to 21. He also loves to bake, especially cakes.
Todd Olson is co-founder and CEO of Pendo, a product experience platform that helps product teams create software customers love. A three-time entrepreneur, Todd has experienced the highs and lows of running fast-growth technology companies. His first venture-backed startup shut down during the dotcom era; his second was sold to Rally Software, where he stayed on as Vice President of Products through its IPO. His third is Pendo, which he founded with fellow product leaders and technologists from Red Hat, Cisco and Google in Raleigh in October 2013. The team has raised $56 million in venture capital, landed more than 500 customers and now employs 170 people across four offices. It was named a Top 50 U.S. Startup by LinkedIn in 2017 and a top 10 startup to watch outside Silicon Valley by VentureBeat in 2018.
Todd frequently speaks at industry events on topics like Agile software development, product management, startup fundraising and entrepreneurship. Outside of work, he’s typically enjoying life in Raleigh with his wife and four children, aged 1 to 21. He also loves to bake, especially cakes.
Craig Buerstatte
Acting Director, Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
US Dept. of Commerce
Zachary Ellis
Director of New Ventures
Ohio State University
Alex Kubicek pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Electrical Engineering, as well as Master of Science in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. During Alex’s pursuit of his Master’s degree, he received the Wahl Award for redesigning the curriculum for Weather and Climate 101 and the Lettau Award for Outstanding M.S. Thesis for his work on cloud microphysics and hail formation.
Alex went on from his formal education to found Understory to fill in weather-related observational gaps occurring at ground level. Understory designs, manufactures, deploys, and operates networks of patented ground-based weather stations that deliver real-time, solid-state measurements that include rain, wind, and hailstone impacts. These observational data are processed by the Understory team and leveraged to improve life and property safety worldwide. Understory has deployed over 400 weather stations and owns and operates weather station networks located in Dallas, Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver, and Houston.
Through the process of founding and building Understory, Alex has guided his team through an accelerator program, a hardware seed stage, an institutional seed financing of $2.1M lead by True Ventures, and a Series A financing of $7.5M lead by 4490 Ventures and strategic participation by Monsanto.
Alex Kubicek pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Electrical Engineering, as well as Master of Science in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. During Alex’s pursuit of his Master’s degree, he received the Wahl Award for redesigning the curriculum for Weather and Climate 101 and the Lettau Award for Outstanding M.S. Thesis for his work on cloud microphysics and hail formation.
Alex went on from his formal education to found Understory to fill in weather-related observational gaps occurring at ground level. Understory designs, manufactures, deploys, and operates networks of patented ground-based weather stations that deliver real-time, solid-state measurements that include rain, wind, and hailstone impacts. These observational data are processed by the Understory team and leveraged to improve life and property safety worldwide. Understory has deployed over 400 weather stations and owns and operates weather station networks located in Dallas, Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver, and Houston.
Through the process of founding and building Understory, Alex has guided his team through an accelerator program, a hardware seed stage, an institutional seed financing of $2.1M lead by True Ventures, and a Series A financing of $7.5M lead by 4490 Ventures and strategic participation by Monsanto.
Alex Kubicek pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Electrical Engineering, as well as Master of Science in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. During Alex’s pursuit of his Master’s degree, he received the Wahl Award for redesigning the curriculum for Weather and Climate 101 and the Lettau Award for Outstanding M.S. Thesis for his work on cloud microphysics and hail formation.
Alex went on from his formal education to found Understory to fill in weather-related observational gaps occurring at ground level. Understory designs, manufactures, deploys, and operates networks of patented ground-based weather stations that deliver real-time, solid-state measurements that include rain, wind, and hailstone impacts. These observational data are processed by the Understory team and leveraged to improve life and property safety worldwide. Understory has deployed over 400 weather stations and owns and operates weather station networks located in Dallas, Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver, and Houston.
Through the process of founding and building Understory, Alex has guided his team through an accelerator program, a hardware seed stage, an institutional seed financing of $2.1M lead by True Ventures, and a Series A financing of $7.5M lead by 4490 Ventures and strategic participation by Monsanto.
Dan is Nevada’s State Treasurer. Since taking office in January 2015, the Treasurer’s Office has revamped the State’s investment program and increased returns; launched a College Savings Program aimed at creating a “culture of education” in Nevada; steered the Education Savings Account program through its early days; and, brought unclaimed property within statutory guidelines. He also oversees the State’s debt issuance which has maintained its AA/AA+/Aa2 rating. The Treasurer’s Office expects to expand its programs in education; to further increase returns on the State’s portfolios; and to work toward improving the economy and lives of Nevadans.
Dan grew up in suburban Chicago, and received his undergraduate degree from Princeton, J.D. (law degree) from Boston University; and his MBA from Columbia. He also studied at the Institute d’Etudes Politiques in Paris during his junior year in college, receiving his Certificat. He served as an enlisted man in the United States Army and was stationed on a Pershing Missile base in Germany.
Dan has over 35 years of financial experience in the banking and securities industries. He is an experienced and accredited investor in the public and private markets.
Dan has also been an entrepreneur. Over the past 25 years, he has started and built several companies. He served as the CEO of AVCJ Group, Ltd. (AVCJ), which publishes the highly-regarded Asian Venture Capital Journal. Dan and his team built AVCJ into Asia’s leading source on private equity and venture capital. AVCJ was purchased by a UK company in 2006.
Dan is Founder, President and CEO of Qiosk.com, “The World’s Newsstand,” one of the pioneers and innovative leaders in digital magazine delivery and media. Fifteen years after its creation, Qiosk continues to be profitable and a leader in its field.
Dan is the author of two books, The Future of Finance: How Private Equity and Venture Capital Will Shape the Global Economy (published by John Wiley) and Principles of the American Republic.
Dan is married, the father of two daughters, and resides with his wife, Yanan, in Las Vegas and Carson City.
Dan is Nevada’s State Treasurer. Since taking office in January 2015, the Treasurer’s Office has revamped the State’s investment program and increased returns; launched a College Savings Program aimed at creating a “culture of education” in Nevada; steered the Education Savings Account program through its early days; and, brought unclaimed property within statutory guidelines. He also oversees the State’s debt issuance which has maintained its AA/AA+/Aa2 rating. The Treasurer’s Office expects to expand its programs in education; to further increase returns on the State’s portfolios; and to work toward improving the economy and lives of Nevadans.
Dan grew up in suburban Chicago, and received his undergraduate degree from Princeton, J.D. (law degree) from Boston University; and his MBA from Columbia. He also studied at the Institute d’Etudes Politiques in Paris during his junior year in college, receiving his Certificat. He served as an enlisted man in the United States Army and was stationed on a Pershing Missile base in Germany.
Dan has over 35 years of financial experience in the banking and securities industries. He is an experienced and accredited investor in the public and private markets.
Dan has also been an entrepreneur. Over the past 25 years, he has started and built several companies. He served as the CEO of AVCJ Group, Ltd. (AVCJ), which publishes the highly-regarded Asian Venture Capital Journal. Dan and his team built AVCJ into Asia’s leading source on private equity and venture capital. AVCJ was purchased by a UK company in 2006.
Dan is Founder, President and CEO of Qiosk.com, “The World’s Newsstand,” one of the pioneers and innovative leaders in digital magazine delivery and media. Fifteen years after its creation, Qiosk continues to be profitable and a leader in its field.
Dan is the author of two books, The Future of Finance: How Private Equity and Venture Capital Will Shape the Global Economy (published by John Wiley) and Principles of the American Republic.
Dan is married, the father of two daughters, and resides with his wife, Yanan, in Las Vegas and Carson City.
Dan is Nevada’s State Treasurer. Since taking office in January 2015, the Treasurer’s Office has revamped the State’s investment program and increased returns; launched a College Savings Program aimed at creating a “culture of education” in Nevada; steered the Education Savings Account program through its early days; and, brought unclaimed property within statutory guidelines. He also oversees the State’s debt issuance which has maintained its AA/AA+/Aa2 rating. The Treasurer’s Office expects to expand its programs in education; to further increase returns on the State’s portfolios; and to work toward improving the economy and lives of Nevadans.
Dan grew up in suburban Chicago, and received his undergraduate degree from Princeton, J.D. (law degree) from Boston University; and his MBA from Columbia. He also studied at the Institute d’Etudes Politiques in Paris during his junior year in college, receiving his Certificat. He served as an enlisted man in the United States Army and was stationed on a Pershing Missile base in Germany.
Dan has over 35 years of financial experience in the banking and securities industries. He is an experienced and accredited investor in the public and private markets.
Dan has also been an entrepreneur. Over the past 25 years, he has started and built several companies. He served as the CEO of AVCJ Group, Ltd. (AVCJ), which publishes the highly-regarded Asian Venture Capital Journal. Dan and his team built AVCJ into Asia’s leading source on private equity and venture capital. AVCJ was purchased by a UK company in 2006.
Dan is Founder, President and CEO of Qiosk.com, “The World’s Newsstand,” one of the pioneers and innovative leaders in digital magazine delivery and media. Fifteen years after its creation, Qiosk continues to be profitable and a leader in its field.
Dan is the author of two books, The Future of Finance: How Private Equity and Venture Capital Will Shape the Global Economy (published by John Wiley) and Principles of the American Republic.
Dan is married, the father of two daughters, and resides with his wife, Yanan, in Las Vegas and Carson City.
Tech companies on the coasts are finding it more difficult to attract and retain talent due to rising costs and quality of life impacts. Meanwhile, America's fly over states are seeing an incredible tech resurgence and could offer up a solution to traditional tech centers looking for an HQ2 expansion.
Now is the time to create a BLUEPRINT, one that builds on existing success stories that have allowed high-growth tech companies to create jobs and expand the wealth beyond the coasts — and optimize profitability for coastal tech companies and other large employers by relocating some of their business activities to the heartland.
THREE AREAS OF FOCUS:
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
BLUEPRINT is one of VentureBeat’s intimate events (audience of 250), including:
What it will take for high-growth tech companies, from the big names to the success-story start-ups, to invest in job creation beyond the coasts to close the opportunity gap.
How communities in need of stimulus can develop their local ecosystems by attracting tech companies with high skill jobs, tech investments to grow local entrepreneurs, and provide other resources necessary to nurture emerging ecosystems.
Why BLUEPRINT?
Besides being tucked up against the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountain range, and an hour’s drive to gorgeous Lake Tahoe, Reno is one of the most inspiring economic growth success stories in the last decade.
In 2009, the city had an unemployment rate of 14% and one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. It was, you could say, left for dead. Yet, due to the vision of an intensely committed community, the city has seen a remarkable comeback and now boasts an unemployment rate of 4%, a vacancy rental vacancy rate of 2% and wage growth at 20-50%.
Driving this remarkable turn around was a community focus on economic development and importing jobs and opportunity from companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Tesla as well as 170 others that have relocated to Reno. And with this foundation, tech startups that have taken root in Reno as well. It’s a fitting setting for the inaugural Blueprint event to inspire regions across America.
Join us in Reno to get a first-hand look at how Reno has entirely reinvented itself and enjoy all its beautiful location has to offer. All main event activities will take place at the Nevada Museum of Art.
Reno, Nevada | Nevada Museum of Art
Located at 160 W Liberty St, Reno, NV 89501
Location
Switch DataCenter
Local Tours
Take an exclusive tour of the Switch TAHOE RENO 1 data center. This is a rare opportunity to see inside Switch's Citadel Campus, which is designed to be the world's largest, highest-rated and most sustainable colocation data center campus in the world.
Tour schedule: Monday, March 5 (12 - 4 pm), Bus leaves from Nevada Museum of Art at 12:30
Tickets: $75/person (includes transportation and box lunch)
Reservations: Click here and enter code: Switchtour
About Switch tour: Click here to watch The Citadel Campus video
Local Tours in Downtown Reno are sponsored by our regional partner, EDAWN. All Tours take place at 2 pm on Monday, March 5 and run for 90 minutes. We have 3 tours available for our guests to experience the art and cultural side of Reno.
Arts and Culture Tour: Reno Tahoe is a culturally vibrant region and a true arts destination. Take a stroll through the downtown arts scene, featuring beautiful murals and unique Burning Man sculptures.
Reno Historic Riverfront Tour: Join award-winning historian and author Alicia Barber, co-founder of the Reno Historical app and website, for a low-mileage, high-energy 90-minute walking tour of the historic Reno riverfront, highlighting its history, architecture, and ongoing transformation.
Brewery Tour: From casual pubs to stylish alehouses, and everything in between, there is no better place to quench your thirst. Check out two local favorites, offering unique beer with interesting and high-quality ingredients you can taste in every sip.
Schedule: Monday, March 5 (2 pm - 3:30 pm)
Location: Nevada Museum of Art for start
Reservations: Contact Pamela at pamela@venturebeat.com to sign-up for any of these free tours
Dr. Alicia Barber
Dr. Alicia Barber is a published author, professional historian, and consultant for a wide variety of projects aiming to bring history to broader audiences and to strengthen and revitalize communities. She owns Stories in Place, dedicated to historical research, writing, and interpretation.
Mike Higdon chronicles and reports on the rebirth of Reno for the Reno Gazette-Journal. His beat focuses on the intersection of the startup community, gentrification in Reno, younger communities, pop culture, craft beer and spirits as well as hipsters and trends.
Geralda Miller is a fifteen-year veteran journalist who has provided a voice to unnoticed and underserved populations. Eric Brooks began pursuing his professional connection to the arts in 2000 as co-founder of the BirdsNest Co-op in San Francisco. The two teamed up and found Art Spot Reno, a company that supports local arts and businesses by integrating them with the community.
Eric Brooks
Downtown Reno
Downtown Reno Tour Guides
Hotel Packages
Take advantage of special 2-night pricing we’ve secured at selected hotels that are bundled in with your event fee. Simply choose one of these packages when you reserve your ticket.
Add your rooms at Whitney Peak when you register for the conference, or book directly
HERE or call 775-398-5400.
*Mention code
BLUEPRINT2018
for the discounted rates when you book direct.
Add your rooms at Peppermill when you register for the conference, or book directly
HERE or by calling 866-821-9996.
*Mention code
CBCVB18
for the discounted rates when you book direct.
Call 1-800-648-5080 to book your rooms at Grand Sierra Resort.
*Mention code
BLUE7
for the discounted rates.
Add your rooms at Eldorado when you register for the conference, or book directly
HERE or call 1-800-879-8879.
*Mention code
IEBLU18
for the discounted rates when you book direct.
Add your rooms at Silver Legacy when you register for the conference, or book directly
HERE or call 1-800-687-8733.
*Mention code
ISBLU18
for the discounted rates when you book direct.
Add your rooms at Circus Circus when you register for the conference, or book directly
HERE or call 1-800-648-5010.
*Mention code
ICBLU18
for the discounted rates when you book direct.
Welcome to the Whitney Peak Hotel - a new, landmark property that caters to those looking for that "extra something" in their hospitality experience. Whitney Peak is Reno's first and only non-gaming, non-smoking, independent hotel. We are centrally located; just two blocks from the beautiful Truckee River Walk and adjacent to the historic Reno Arch.
Experience timeless luxury and friendly, personal service in the heart of Downtown Reno. Escape to the Eldorado Resort Casino, named "Best Rooms and Suites" by Casino Player Magazine, where every detail has been considered in order to provide you with the stay of a lifetime. Lose yourself in the nonstop excitement and elegance of our luxurious Reno resort casino.
Providing the best hotel service and amenities is an art that Peppermill Reno's hotel has perfected over 40 years. Peppermill's hotel holds the AAA Four Diamond rating for hospitality industry excellence, and is voted one of Reno's best resort hotels year after year by leading hospitality and gaming publications.
Located in the heart of the Biggest Little City in downtown Reno Nevada, Silver Legacy Resort Casino offers amenities and attractions for the perfect vacation getaway. Towering above downtown as the newest and tallest casino hotel, spacious guest rooms and suites offer grand views of the city skyline and mountains.
Stay at the Reno hotel that is fun for the whole family - including the family dog! Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino is your destination for fun and entertainment at an affordable price. The hotel, located in the heart of Downtown Reno, is a short walk to the Reno Events Center and the ideal starting spot for those who want to experience the Biggest Little City.
Named the “Best Hotel” in Reno by Casino Player Magazine three years in a row, the Grand Sierra Resort offers luxurious hotel rooms and suites in Reno NV, with contemporary decor in the center of everything Reno, Nevada, has to offer. At Grand Sierra Resort we cater to families too, with a host of activities to provide hours—if not days!—of family fun.
Book your rooms at Atlantis HERE or call the
24-hour Reservations Department at 1.800.823.6500.
*Mention the group name
BLUEPRINT
for the discounted rates.
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a AAA Four Diamond Reno hotel and casino thoughtfully designed for relaxation, celebration and rejuvenation. Recognized for luxurious accommodations, exciting casino action, fine dining and an award-winning spa, Atlantis offers everything you're looking for and more.
Atlantis
Grand Sierra Resort
Circus Circus
Silver Legacy
Peppermill
Eldorado
Whitney Peak
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