Under the Arch

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GANNON’S INCUBATOR FORMALLY INTRODUCED

Russell Combs meets with Gannon Community and local media, shares vision for forthcoming facility

Gannon University has named Russell V. Combs, Sr., as the director of its forthcoming Erie Technology Incubator (ETI).

Combs, who was chosen through a national search process, assumed his position at Gannon on July 3. One of his first priorities has been meeting with local economic development professionals, entrepreneurs, governmental officials, business leaders, and potential service providers.

He formally was introduced to the media and to the university community during a press conference this morning in Gannon’s Old Main. He took the opportunity to explain the incubator’s many benefits. “The Erie Technology Incubator… is intended to be not only a leader in entrepreneurial development but also a catalyst of and partner for new technology business creation and growth in Erie and the surrounding region,” Combs said. “The main objective is to give fledgling businesses and entrepreneurial scientists and technologists the opportunity to experience the highly successful business development methodology called business incubation.

“Statistically, a business that utilizes the business incubation methodology of development has an 84-87 percent chance of success and sustainable growth, as versed to only 24-27 percent if they proceed into business on their own,” he added.

Beyond the inherent benefits of being housed in an incubator, Gannon’s ETI will offer tenant companies an added advantage. “One of the predominant partners in this effort will be the Gannon University Small Business Development Center, directed by Debra Steiner,” Combs said. “She and her highly qualified and dedicated staff will provide them various components of business assistance – from assisting in the pre-admittance process, to business strategic operational planning, to investment pre-qualification, just to name a few.”

More about Russell Combs

Combs has an extensive background with business incubators similar to Gannon’s ETI. He most recently served as the executive director of the Business Incubation Group of the Shenandoah (Va.) Region, a position he had held since 2004.

Prior to that, Combs from 2000-04 was the director of Technology Ventures Business Incubator, and from 1996-2000 he served as the executive director of Friendship Economic Zone.

He is a past president of the Virginia Business Incubation Association, which consists of nearly 30 business incubators, more than 70 members, and more than 250 businesses throughout Virginia. Combs also guided the administration and marketing of an Economic Development (now Empire) Zone initiative in Allegany County, N.Y.

He twice was a speaker/trainer for the International Business Incubator Association in Hong Kong and four times at the conference for the National Business Incubation Association. He also has spoken at the Appalachian Regional Commission’s conference on topics such as business and community development in rural America, non-profits’ roles in rural business incubation, and youth entrepreneurship.

In 2005, Combs facilitated a congressional symposium on business incubation and entrepreneurial development. He also was the keynote speaker for a national business retention and expansion broadcast for Cornell University.

More about Gannon University’s Erie Technology Incubator

The ETI is located in the former Boys & Girls Club building at 130 West Eighth Street, located within the Gannon campus. Renovations are currently underway and will be completed in time for the ETI to begin full operation in spring 2008.

In August, 2006, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell announced that Gannon had been selected for a $4 million state capital grant to fund renovations and other initiatives related to the ETI. In total, some $5 million has been raised to support the project, which has been one of the top strategic priorities of Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.

The incubator will operate as a not-for-profit business incubator dedicated to stimulating the development of advanced technologies and promoting the formation, growth, and retention of early stage technology-based companies that will generate new-economy job opportunities in northwest Pennsylvania.

Specifically, it will focus on three technology sectors that parallel the strengths of Gannon’s academic programs and relate to the growth sectors established by the Erie Keystone Innovation Zone: information technology (software development, networking, Telecommunications, and IT consulting), engineering technology (embedded systems design, integrated circuit design, and green building technologies), and scientific technology (nanotechnology, medical devices, and alternative energies).

A number of services will be provided by the ETI and its community partners, such as the Gannon University Small Business Development Center, the Economic Development Corp. of Erie County, the Erie KIZ, and the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT. The services include:

basic business assistance.
on-demand business development coaching.
entrepreneurial mentoring.
access to a professional services network.
assistance to obtain financing.
strategic partnerships with successful corporations.
networking opportunities.
discounted educational programs.

The ETI can accommodate up to about 25 companies, depending on their size. On average, it will house 10-12 tenant companies that each will stay between two to four years, depending on their growth rate. For more information about ETI, including up-to-date progress reports on the project, visit http://erietech.org.

RECENT NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

News of interest on and around campus...

Chris Dubbs, university grants writer, and co-author of the book Animals in Space, was interviewed for the weekly radio science magazine Are We Alone? The radio program covers a wide range of topics relevant to the new science of astrobiology. Dubbs reviewed the history and the current use of animals on space flights. His co-author, Colin Burgess, also was interviewed. In addition, Dubbs was interviewed by Discover Magazine for a special issue to commemorate the 50^th anniversaries of the launch of the first Earth-orbiting satellites Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2. Dubbs discussed the use of animals in space flights and in particular the dog Laika, who was the first living creature to travel in space aboard Sputnik 2, in November 1957.
Update on Strategic Plan II: 2008-2013: In February and March, the Gannon Community had opportunities to discuss, comment on, and submit ideas for the proposed Strategic Plan II Thrust Statement draft. The task force discussed and reviewed the various comments and suggestions and has incorporated many of them into the revised draft of Strategic Plan II: 2008-2013. The revised draft lists five strategic goals and the primary objectives for each goal. The task force is working on finalizing the measurable outcomes, key progress indicators, strategies, tactics and timelines, benchmarks, and task leaders for each goal and objective. Please take a few minutes to review the revised draft at: http://www.gannon.edu/faculty_staff/strategic/posts/draft2008-2013.html. Comments can be sent to the President’s Office or to any member of the task force.
As August approaches, so too does the start of fall semester classes. And the beginning of a new academic year – now less than three weeks away – also signifies another Gannon University tradition: the annual Welcome Mass and New Student Convocation, both of which will be held on Sunday, Aug. 19. The Mass will be held at 2:15 p.m. in the Chapel, and the Convocation will follow at 3:30 in the Hammermill Center.

CAMPUS EVENTS

Friday-Saturday, August 10-11 – Gannon University's Erie Chamber Orchestra: Conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright. Both concerts are free and open to the public and will begin at 8 p.m. on the patio at Villa Maria Academy, 2401 West Eighth Street. Friday’s performance will feature flutist Anna Meyer, and Saturday’s will feature John Myers (baritone).
Wednesday, August 15 – Feast of the Assumption: Masses for this Holy Day of Obligation will be held at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.
Sunday, August 19 – Welcome Mass and Convocation: The university will welcome the class of 2011 with the 20th annual Mass, scheduled for 2:15 p.m. in the Chapel, and the Convocation, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in the Hammermill Center.
Sunday-Tuesday, August 19-21 – Preview GU: New students will get a better look at Gannon and different clubs, organizations, and services offered.
Wednesday, August 22 – First day of fall semester classes.
Friday, August 24 – Gannon Faculty and Staff Community Meeting: 3-4:30 p.m. in the Yehl Room. Mark your calendar.
“Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

THE PRESIDENT’S SCHEDULE

Monday, August 6 – Erie Technology Incubator press conference. Tuesday, August 7 – Erie Regional Chamber meeting. Wednesday, August 8 – Growth Partnership Committee meeting. Thursday, August 9 – Regional Campaign Event, Buffalo, N.Y. Friday, August 10 – Executive Committee meeting, Gannon University Board of Trustees. Wednesday, August 15 – Downtown Improvement District Association board meeting; New Faculty workshop. Thursday, August 16 – College of Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences fall 2007 Faculty meeting; welcome to Gannon resident assistants; St. Paul Neighborhood Free Clinic first annual benefit. Friday, August 17 – College of Humanities, Business, and Education fall 2007 Faculty meeting. Sunday, August 19 – Move-in day; Welcome Mass; New Student Convocation; reception.

CURRENT BIRTHDAYS

Joshua Jacobsen. Michele Potter. Joanne Bucceri. Bridget Hammar. Catherine Marsters. Mary Beth Danowski. Aaron Kerr. Melissa Peterson. Michael Dolecki. Maxine Blakeslee. Larry Kessler. Bev Pochatko. Pam Duffin. Marianne Fisher. Cat Carlson. Janae Butler. Richard Mentz. Cynthia Benovic. Anthony Martin. Doug King. Gail Tatalone. Anju Jolly. Jan Friedman. Ltc. Ron Swift. Mehmet Cultu. Bruce Kobal. Lori Bly. Diane Madara. Carolan Bailey. Jodie Gloekler. Cecelia Tauber. Sally McLaughlin. David Barker. Ken Andersen. Colleen Connolly. Jason Willow. Suzanne Kitts.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

GLIAC champs tutor youngsters: Two girls participate in a one-on-one drill in the Hammermill Center during last week’s instructional basketball camp, hosted by coach Cleve Wright and the Gannon women’s basketball team. The camp was open to girls in grades 3-8; more than 80 participated. Katie Kibby, a member of the team that last season captured the first GLIAC tournament championship in school history, is in the background.