The Bloomington-Normal Innovation Hub (BN Hub) took another step forward September 24 by formally launching its advisory board. The board is designed as a collaborative discussion board to foster innovation, cross-sector connection, and strategic alignment amongst establishments and organizations within the area with the specific objective of attaining the objectives specified by the BN Hub’s strategic plan.
Dr. Harriett Steinbach, director of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships within the Office of Research at Illinois State University, is main the group. “While I continue working on behind-the-scenes activities like creating a website, identifying space for the business incubator, and securing funding for capital and operational expenses, the launch of the advisory board is something tangible I can point to to demonstrate progress.”
The BN Hub Advisory Board represents a various group of organizations and experience. Each particular person has dedicated to a two-12 months time period throughout which they are going to champion the BN Hub; liaise between the BN Hub and their group or division; and supply suggestions and proposals to attain the BN Hub’s objectives, targets, and actions. Due to the group’s measurement, members might be organized into work teams to deal with particular targets.
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Matt Aldeman | Illinois State University College of Engineering |
| Ryan Brown | Illinois State University College of Education |
| Paige Buschman | Illinois State University Center for Civic Engagement |
| Tyler Cravens | McLean County Chamber of Commerce |
| Avi Datta | Illinois State University Means Center for Entrepreneurship |
| Nik Duffle | Town of Normal |
| Charlie Edamala | Illinois State University Technology Solutions |
| Sarah Gliege | McLean County Small Business Development Center |
| Anthony Grant | McLean County |
| Scott Irelan | Illinois State University Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts |
| Tony Jones | Minority Business Development Center |
| Peter Kaufman | Illinois State University Hagge Innovation Institute |
| Dave Kopsell | Illinois State University Department of Agriculture |
| Jianwei Lai | Illinois State University School of Information Technology |
| Rose Marshack | Illinois State University School of Creative Technologies |
| Bryan McCannon | Illinois Wesleyan University School of Business and Economics |
| Jennifer McDade | COUNTRY Financial |
| Craig C. McLauchlan | Illinois Innovation Network/Illinois State University Department of Chemistry |
| Samantha Mlot | City of Bloomington |
| Casey Peterson | Ameren |
| Tony Piña | Illinois State University Center for Integrated Professional Development |
| Elisabeth Reed | Illinois State University Office of Sustainability |
| Jomo Sankara | Illinois State University College of Business |
| Joshua Schuster | Town of Normal |
| Michael Straza | Straza Consulting |
| Carl Teichman | Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council |
| Jason Wagoner | Illinois State University Office of Research |
| Ashley Waring-Sparks | Illinois State University Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology |
| Kortney Watts | Heartland Community College Career and Technical Education |
| LC Yang | Illinois State University Department of Health Sciences |
| Seth Zeller | Zeller Electric |
“I am so excited to see the progress we are making in advancing the BN Hub, which is part of the Illinois Innovation Network,” mentioned Associate Vice President for Research Craig C. McLauchlan. “Although we lead as Illinois State University, I appreciate that this effort is stronger as a community effort, and I am so grateful to all of our partners in this ‘network of networks.’ I look forward to working with the new Advisory Board to collectively advance our innovation efforts.”
Anyone concerned with studying extra concerning the Bloomington-Normal Innovation Hub or discussing a potential partnership ought to contact Harriett Steinbach at [email protected] or (309)438-5769.