A Lesson in Pivoting a Legacy City from the Hamilton Mill
Published by
The Hamilton Mill (implied)
Summary
Guest blog post exploring the importance of the 'pivot' in city revitalization efforts, featuring a case study of Hamilton, Ohio.
About
Highly accomplished servant leader and executive with over a decade of experience in crafting innovation ecosystems and driving regional economic development. Proven ability to manage large startup portfolios, secure significant funding (over $50M), and dramatically increase startup success rates by 60% through strategic advisory and venture capital engagement. Adept at fostering vibrant communities and expanding market reach for high-growth ventures.
Work
Alloy Development
|Vice President, Alloy Growth Lab
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
→
Summary
Spearheaded strategic initiatives and ecosystem engagement for a top 10 internationally recognized deep-tech incubator, driving growth for a portfolio of 50+ startups. Promoted into this role after two years as Director and Startup Advisor. Promotion also included engagement with the Alloy Development management leadership team.
Highlights
Orchestrated the creation and enhancement of a physical and digital community, significantly improving support for founders and startup teams.
Managed a portfolio of approximately 50 startups, securing over $50 million in total cross-industry, follow-on funding.
Increased startup funding success rates by 20% by refining grant-writing approaches and expanding venture capital connectivity.
Expanded market reach for incubated startups, generating an annual revenue increase of $20 million.
Alloy Development
|Director - Alloy Growth Lab
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
→
Summary
Directed core operations and strategic partnerships within a leading deep-tech incubator, fostering a robust environment for startup acceleration and investment.
Highlights
Oversaw daily operations and strategic direction for a significant portion of the incubator's startup portfolio, contributing to ecosystem growth.
Facilitated key connections between startups and capital sources, laying groundwork for successful funding rounds and investment.
Developed and implemented advisory frameworks that enhanced startup readiness for investment and market expansion.
Alloy Development
|Startup Advisor, Alloy Growth Lab
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
→
Summary
Provided critical advisory services to early-stage deep-tech startups, guiding them through strategic development, fundraising, and market entry.
Highlights
Mentored numerous startups on critical aspects including business model validation, market strategy, and fundraising preparation.
Connected founders with relevant industry experts, potential customers, and investment opportunities.
Contributed to the overall success of the incubator's portfolio by providing tailored guidance on growth pathways.
The Hamilton Mill
|Pipeline H2O Program Director
Hamilton, Ohio, US
→
Summary
Directed the award-winning Pipeline H2O program, an international water-tech accelerator, driving innovation and bringing global water-tech startups to Greater Cincinnati.
Highlights
Identified and recruited promising water-tech startups from around the world, onboarding them into a unique accelerator program.
Forged key partnerships with businesses, government entities, and universities to create a robust platform for testing and deploying water technologies globally.
Facilitated the growth and market entry of water-tech solutions, contributing to regional innovation and addressing global water challenges.
The Hamilton Mill
|Operations Director
Hamilton, Ohio, US
→
Summary
Directed operational strategies for The Hamilton Mill, a key player in Southwestern Ohio's startup ecosystem, focusing on advanced manufacturing and clean-tech.
Highlights
Secured a $500,000 EDA Grant opportunity, significantly contributing to the development of the regional entrepreneurial economy.
Oversaw daily operations and resource management for high-growth potential startups within the advanced manufacturing and clean-tech sectors.
Played a pivotal role in connecting startups with essential resources and fostering the #startupcincy entrepreneurial ecosystem.
City of Hamilton, Ohio
|Economic Development/Planning, Office of the City Manager
Hamilton, Ohio, US
→
Summary
Served as Business Development Specialist and Small Business Liaison, driving economic growth and innovation initiatives for the City of Hamilton.
Highlights
Established a Business Development Team, streamlining guidance and support for small businesses seeking to open or grow in Hamilton.
Co-created the 'innovation team' and 'innovation challenge,' successfully engaging City employees to source new ideas for municipal improvement.
Facilitated cross-departmental collaboration to ensure comprehensive support for local businesses and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Education
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
BA
Economics
University of Houston
Online, Texas, United States of America
Certificate
Technology Transfer
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
Master
Community Planning, Economic Development
Awards
Excellence in Innovation - OhioXcelerate Program
Awarded By
Ohio Economic Development Association for OhioXcelerate
Awarded the top honor in the 'Excellence in Innovation' category for driving greater connectivity amongst innovation stakeholders, fostering a community directly engaged in startup and innovation success, and promoting economic growth across Ohio.
Top 10 Incubator
Awarded By
UBI Global
Recognized as a Top 10 Incubator by UBI Global for outstanding performance and contributions to the global startup ecosystem.
Publications
A Case for Avionics in Greene County and Southwestern Ohio
Published by
Ohio Department of Development (implied)
Summary
Examines industrial clustering as an economic development strategy, focusing on the aerospace cluster in Dayton, Ohio, and its role in the 'Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity' program.
Skills
Leadership
Leadership, Strategic Planning, Program Management, Cross-functional Team Leadership.
Business Acumen
Financial Planning, Management Consulting, Business Process Improvement.
Innovation & Ecosystem Development
Startup Advisory, Ecosystem Engagement, Venture Capital Connectivity, Grant Writing, Market Expansion, Incubation Management.
Soft Skills
Adaptability, Community Building, Stakeholder Management.