Agenda

W.K (Ker) Ferguson, Assistant Vice President, Research Office of Industry Liaison

Ker Ferguson was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, raised in Scotland and spent most of his adult life in Canada. While in Canada he obtained both his undergraduate and masters degrees in business administration from the Ivey School of Business, Canada's premier business school.

After graduation he worked primarily in the financial sector, within merchant banking and real estate. He has also been active in the small business sector, as a partner in taking a start-up firm to national prominence and industry leader in less than three years, with offices in London, Vancouver and Montreal.

In 1996 he joined The University of Western Ontario in their newly formed Technology Transfer Offices, where he assessed the commercial feasibility of new technologies and established appropriate paths to market. While at The University of Western Ontario he was asked to assist with managing the Research Park and undertook both roles for a period. Shortly thereafter the University asked him to take on the position of Director of the Research Park on a full-time basis. Under Ker's management and direction The University of Western Ontario Research & Development Park more than doubled its business base, including opening a second research park campus as a joint venture between the University and a neighboring municipality.

Ker moved to the University of South Alabama in the Fall of 2005 and is responsible for the development of their Research Park initiative and oversight of the Office of Technology Transfer at South Alabama (ranked 15th in the nation on return on investment by Forbes Magazine in 2008, in terms of license revenue versus research expenditures).

Ker is currently a candidate for a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development at the University of Southern Mississippi. His research interests focus on the innovation economy and technology based economic development. This includes the effectiveness of research parks as a vehicle for these activities.

John Strope, GCTC Chair & CEO, Dogwood Productions

John Strope currently serves as Technical Director for Dogwood Productions, a Mobile, AL based, full-service new media and sound design firm. In this role, John specializes in directing the technical design of advanced, integrated new media solutions to help businesses from all over the country communicate more effectively.

In his 13 years since starting the interactive development firm, John has produced many award-winning web sites and interactive applications for large and small corporations, tourism agencies, city government, software companies, financial institutions, non-profits, museums and many more. His team at Dogwood has established itself as one of the premier interactive firms on the Gulf Coast with a wide range of clients all over the country. John has earned a reputation as being an expert on the latest web and server technologies in an industry that changes daily.

Prior to Dogwood, John was chief imaging engineer at one of the world's first all digital fashion photography studios. John currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Mobile Opera, is President of the Gulf Coast Technology Council, and is past Vice Chair of Technology for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Russ Lea, Vice President for Research, University of South Alabama

"University of South Alabama (USA)'s research and outreach programs have transformational impacts on the Gulf Coast region," said Dr. Lea. "I look forward to contributing to their further development."

USA's research productivity has more than doubled since 2000. In addition to creating new knowledge through basic and applied research, USA's research program represents a major industry for the region, pumping more than $60 million per year into the economy. A specific focus has been technology transfer, or creating new technological and medical advances and transferring them to private industry for marketing and distribution. USA's technology transfer has included projects in engineering, medicine, computer science and a wide range of scientific disciplines.

"USA's research and outreach programs have a dramatic positive impact on the region through the knowledge they produce, enhancement of our health and quality of life, economic stimulation, technology transfer to industry, and the sustainable high-technology jobs they create," said USA President Gordon Moulton.

David L Trent, Airbus North America Engineering 2010 Chairman of the Board

David Trent is site director for Airbus North America Engineering in Mobile, overseeing engineering and program management of cabin and cargo development programs on all Airbus products. Since beginning his aerospace career in 1979, he has served in engineering management positions with Learjet, Bombardier, Gulfstream and Hiller, Inc. David holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree in Business Administration, both from California State University of Fullerton.

Since arriving in Mobile in December 2006, David has volunteered his leadership with several community organizations. He is the 2010 Chairman of the Board of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, on the Executive Board of the Exploreum Science Center, a member of the Industrial Advisory Board for the School of Engineering at the University of South Alabama, a Board Member for the American Red Cross Gulf Coast Chapter, and the Secretary for the Alabama Aerospace Industries Association.

David and his wife Michon have two grown daughters.

About Airbus:
Airbus manufactures the most modern and eco-efficient family of airliners available, ranging from 100 to over 500 seats. Airbus Americas helps engineer the entire product line, and supports and sells to customers in the Americas. Airbus has spent $100 billion in the U.S. since 1990, using some 400 American suppliers in more than 40 states.

Mr. Greg Guzman – Director of Sales & Marketing, Fokker Services C.M.R.O. Division

Greg has been with Fokker Airinc since 2000. In his 10 years with the company, Mr. Guzman has held many positions - he was recently promoted to Director Of Sales & Marketing for Fokker Services C.M.R.O. division. Mr. Guzman's expertise is in negotiating and marketing with both domestic and internationally based customers. Mr. Guzman has negotiated many long term agreements for Fokker Airinc and Fokker Services. He holds a BS Degree in International Business from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.

About Fokker Airinc:
Fokker Airinc is proud to be the preferred industry leader in the market for maintenance, repair and overhaul of pneumatic, hydraulic and electro mechanical aircraft components. In its 20 years of existence, Fokker Airinc can proudly state that it has never been fired by a customer. By investing in its people and culture, Fokker Airinc has set itself apart from the rest of the competition.

As part of the Fokker Services Group of companies, Fokker Airinc is poised for the next 20 years.

Jim Cunningham, Managing Partner, Ecovery

Ecovery specializes in mechanical de-manufacturing and separation of e-scrap, wire, cable, radiators and other products that contain recyclable commodities. Ecovery is also an importer of specialized equipment that allows us to provide systems and equipment for all types of electronic waste and scrap that has ferrous, nonferrous and plastic components. Jim has over 25 years in the recycling industry designing equipment & after several trips to Europe & seeing first hand the technology they use to process e-scrap coupled with the fact that it's the fastest growing waste stream & with the lack of processors domestically, he saw an opportunity for Ecovery & that's where the idea came from.

Began Construction in September 2008; Completed December 2008
Moved into building January 2009
Began Processing April 2009

Phillip Long, CEO, Business Information Solutions

Business Information Solutions (BIS) was launched in 2001 in Foley after recognizing a need for a quality, reliable Information Technology (IT) company in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. Today, BIS is a leader in the IT field, combining cutting edge technology with old-fashioned, reliable customer service. BIS is now located in a 20,000-square foot facility in Robertsdale and employs 27 skilled staff members.

Just since 2006, BIS has served over 3,200 clients in the Baldwin and Mobile market place. The company recently added a new division, BIS Designs, which offers web and graphic design services as well as BIS Office Systems that provides office equipment and toner services. The state-of-the-art BIS Business Center on Professional Drive in Robertsdale includes a classroom and community center used for complimentary seminars on new technologies.