This episode features Bill Poole, Finance Director for the State of Alabama, and Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. These two Alabama leaders discuss how the State and Innovate Alabama support entrepreneurs, businesses, and commercialization. They share about the history of the Innovation Commission that kicked off new resources for Alabama citizens, what the future looks like for Alabama businesses, and the opportunities for support that lay ahead.  Follow From Idea to Action: Stories from Alabama Innovators wherever you get your podcasts, or bookmark our website to catch new ..read more

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Greer, Executive Director of Innovation Portal, a nonprofit incubator and innovation hub accelerating startup growth in the Gulf Coast Region. We discuss how to support small businesses and what it takes to nurture economic growth and draw similarities between Mobile and the other major cities across Alabama. Follow From Idea to Action: Stories from Alabama Innovators wherever you get your podcasts, or bookmark our website to catch new episodes as they release. https://twitter.com/FromIdea2Action ..read more

Description: In this episode, we sit down to talk with Sean Powers, PhD, Angelia and Steven Stokes Endowed Professor in Environmental Resiliency and Director, Stokes School of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama. Over the course of this episode, we talk about his journey to Alabama and how Gulf Coast research and global fishery research inform conservation decisions and help our water systems thrive. Dig into more information: Dr. Sean Powers https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/marinesciences/drseanpowers.html University of South Alabama https://www.southalabama.edu ..read more

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Jo Bonner, President of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. We discuss President Bonner’s unique background and his goal to leverage South Alabama’s unique environment to attract talent, carve out a unique space in the academic landscape, and make a profound impact on the state and beyond. Dig into more information: Jo Bonner https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/presidentsoffice/biography.html University of South Alabama (USA) https://www.southalabama.edu/ University of South Alabama School of Nursing https://www.southalabama.edu/col ..read more

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Joe Kirgues, co-founder of gener8tor, a venture capital firm out of Wisconsin. Even though he isn’t from Alabama, Joe and gener8tor are invested in success in the “flyover states” that are often overlooked in investment discussions. Take a listen to this episode as we discuss his background and what it means to start something new and invest in your backyard. Dig into more information: Joe Kirgues https://www.linkedin.com/in/joekirgues/ Troy Vosseller https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyvosseller/ gener8t0r https://www.gener8tor.com/ University Wiscons ..read more

In this episode, we sit down with Charisse Stokes, Executive Director at TECHMGM: an initiative to coordinate the efforts of many diverse partners around developing the tech and innovation ecosystem in Montgomery. We discuss what it means to plant roots in a new community, be comfortable with the uncomfortable, and how progress involves looking to those who came before you, opening doors for those behind you, and collaborating with diverse ideas. Dig into more information: Charisse Stokes https://www.techmgm.com/about-techmgm/leadership-team/  TechMGM https://www.techmgm.com/  Ala ..read more

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Jeff Helms and Russ Durrance of the Alabama Farmers Federation. We discuss the history of the Farmers Federation, how ALFA supports agriculture, farmers, and farming innovation in Alabama, and how a combination of grassroots and public-policy work supports farmers. Dig into more information: Jeff Helms https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-helms-8700939/ https://alfafarmers.org/contact/media-relations/ Russ Durrance https://yellowhammernews.com/alabama-farmers-federation-names-russ-durrance-state-legislative-programs-director/ Alabama Farmers Federation ..read more

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Darrell Ezell, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. We discuss his background, how his travels all across the world ultimately brought him back to Huntsville, and how DEI initiatives can help any organization strengthen its leadership. Dig into more information: Darrell Ezell https://www.darrellezellphd.com/ HudsonAlpha Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion https://www.hudsonalpha.org/dei/ Schmidt Futures https://www.schmidtfutures.com/our-work/task-force-on-synthetic-biology-and-the-bioeco ..read more

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Julian Waddell of Oakwood University and T.O. Guy. We discuss his background, how he became the Executive Director of OU Launchpad Entrepreneurship & Esports Center, and how an idea in college helped him launch T.O. Guy LLC which just celebrated 14 years of operation. Follow From Idea to Action: Stories from Alabama Innovators wherever you get your podcasts, or bookmark our website to catch new episodes as they release. https://twitter.com/FromIdea2Action ..read more

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology was founded to establish a lasting bioscience ecosystem in Huntsville. It was made possible by a deep appreciation for biotechnology, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a love for a hometown. HudsonAlpha was co-founded by Jim Hudson and the late Lonnie McMillian. Please take a moment to listen to Jim Hudson recount the journey that led him and Lonnie to construct the flagship HudsonAlpha building and inspire a booming bioscience industry in a deep-tech hub of the south. Dig into more information: History of HudsonAlpha https://www.hudsonalpha.org/the-st ..read more