Contributors
Subject: Funding as a Process
James B. Tuttle, Intern
James (J.B.) Tuttle was a recent winner of a business plan competition sponsored through the University of New Mexico. He holds an MBA with a dual concentration in Management of Technology and Marketing from the University of Chicago. J.B. went to work quickly with Lee Trussell providing resources for TechMaker in the area of funding. J.B. and Lee paid special attention to information about funding from local, New Mexico sources.
Lee Trussell, Technology Ventures Corporation, Director of Entrepreneurial Training
With an extensive background in administrative and financial management both in the domestic and international business communities, public and private sectors, Lee was ideal for mentoring J.B. It was Lee who brought to TechMaker the concept of funding as a process, not to be something to be considered only when a company is experiencing a shortfall. Lee continues to consult to us as we develop the "funding as a process" material for TechMaker and has been instrumental in our outreach to the New Mexico entrepreneur community. Lee holds a BBA and MBA summa cum laude from the Anderson Schools of Management, University of New Mexico.
Subject: IP and Ability to License and Marketing Need/Niche Understanding
Erin Beaumont, STC. UNM, Innovation Associate
Erin Beaumont revealed the fascinating world of intellectual property (IP) to us. Because of her, TechMaker has been able to tap into the collection of resources available from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and other sources that teach innovators/entrepreneurs about how to secure and license their IP. Erin has a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from UNM and is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration.
STC.UNM is a nonprofit corporation formed by and owned entirely by the University of New Mexico to protect and transfer its faculty inventions to the commercial marketplace. The mission of STC is to support the University of New Mexico and its partners as the source for innovation management and commercial development.
Dorian McKenzie, STC.UNM
Dorian McKenzie worked with STC.UNM in marketing, tech evaluation, grant and business plan writing. Working with Erin Beaumont, she provided research needed to locate much of the material in IP and Ability to License. Dorian was also responsible for mapping out the market research process flow used in the TechMaker case studies. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico.
Subject: Risk Assimilation
Van Romero, Ph.D., New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Vice President of Research and Economic Development
Dr. Romero is responsible for the encouragement, leadership, and support of research at New Mexico Tech. He identifies research opportunities and actively encourages development of interdisciplinary research at New Mexico Tech and is an external advocate and representative for New Mexico Tech's research activities. Dr. Romero brought the concept of risk assimilation to TechMaker. He posits that New Mexico must advance past eliminating risk, to a new paradigm shift toward risk assimilation. The material on risk collected for TechMaker reflects this.
Subject: Tech Types and Commerically Viable Technology
Scott Gurule, Santa Fe Community College, Intern
Scott Gurule, has an Electronic Engineering degree (BSEET), with a Project Management certification from PMI. His 20+ year career spans a broad range of technologies and disciplines. Scott is now focused on Sustainable Energy Systems, with an emphasis on working internationally to help the developing world. This focus took Scott to Santa Fe, where he soon met and worked with Randy Grissom at Santa Fe Community College. Scott provided research needed to locate much of the material in Tech Types and Commercially Viable Technology. Scott was interested in all aspects of this project, including the educational aspects. Scott was the inspiration behind our case studies as well, researching information for them and using a framework (based on our maps) for creating them.