2013 Innovation-based Economic Development Forum to explore resources for regional business owners

Regional business owners seeking information on how to start and grow a business will find a wealth of resources at the “2013 Innovation-based Economic Development Forum: Innovation and Collaboration for a Stronger Southwest Oklahoma,” scheduled for Friday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The forum will take place at Cameron University’s McCasland Ballroom, located in the McMahon Centennial Complex. For more information, contact the Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES) at 580-581-5477 or at info@cetes.org.

The forum has the theme “Innovation and Collaboration for a Stronger Southwest Oklahoma” and will focus on various innovations being made to grow jobs and wealth in Southwest Oklahoma through advances to traditional methods, approaches and markets that reflect the changing world around us.

Keynote speakers are Dr. Stephen McKeever, Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology, who will address “OneOklahoma,” the state’s strategic plan for science and technology; Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Pete Palmer, Director, EDGE® Innovation Network, discussing “Technology Challenges & Opportunities in Today’s Environment”; and Col. Anthony Krawietz, Commander, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus Air Force Base, speaking on “STEM Education.”

Five distinct panel discussions will cover topics pertinent to economic development in Southwest Oklahoma. Panel topics and participants include:

Economic Development Initiatives

Moderator: Barry Albrecht, Lawton-Fort Sill Economic Development Corporation

Panelists:  Deidre Myers, Division Director, Policy, Research And Economic Analysis, Oklahoma Department of Commerce; Fred Morgan, President and CEO, State Chamber of Oklahoma; Lyle Roggow, President, Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation; Robert Cox, CEO, Aviation Training Consulting, Altus; Clark Southard, Director of Economic Development, Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, Fort Cobb

Energy and Agriculture

Moderator: Rodger Kerr, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Technology Center, Altus

Panelists: Blayne Arthur, Associate Commissioner, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture; Gary Disse, Fleet Manager, RD Offutt Company, Hydro; Matt Muller, farm operator, Altus; Anthony Chandler, Vice President, Wilco Machine & Fab, Inc., Marlow; Adam Calaway, Director of Communications, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Innovation Enablers

Moderator: Arun Tilak, Director, Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies

Panelists: Scott Meacham, President/CEO, i2E; Dan Luton, Director of Programs, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Sciences and Technology

Manufacturing

Moderator: Bill Cunningham, Manufacturing Extension Agent for Southwest Oklahoma, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

Panelists: Chuck Prucha, President, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance; Dr. Robert Taylor, Director, New Product Development Center, Oklahoma State University; Shawn Fry, Continuous Improvement Manager, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Lawton; Ivan Blanco, Tenet Manager-4th Generation Equipment, Halliburton, Duncan.

Defense

Moderator: Albert Johnson, Jr.; Vice President for Advancement, Cameron University

Panelists: Dr. Stephen McKeever, Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology; Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Toney Stricklin, Chairman, TDRS LLC, Lawton; Nathan Slate, Site Manager, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Lawton; James Cunningham, Business Development Manager, Raytheon, Lawton.

“2013 Innovation-based Economic Development Forum: Innovation and Collaboration for a Stronger Southwest Oklahoma” is sponsored by Cameron University, the Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES), Lawton-Fort Sill Economic Development Corporation, i2E, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance (OMA), State Chamber of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Sciences and Technology (OCAST) and Goodyear Tire & Rubber.

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March 1, 2013

PR# 13-039