Gwin Scott is the President of EmergeMemphis, the Mid-South’s technology business incubator.  Previously, Gwin has served as President/Founder of Uvision Media.  Gwin’s experience and background has been heavily weighted in Sales & Marketing and Business & Strategic Development within the media, high-tech, and international sectors over the last 17 years. Before joining Uvision Media, Mr. Scott was Director of Sales for Williams Communications/Wiltel, the largest, fully lit, next generation fiber optic network in the US that delivers broadband network services. With prior posts at iBEAM and Turner Broadcasting, he has held roles associated with the sales, business development, and distribution. Gwin received a BA in Marketing at the University of Mississippi. He is currently serving there on the Advisory Board of the Business School where the group helps with fundraising, corporate relationships for internships and job placements, and mentoring to students. Additionally, he is on the National Alumni board at Ole Miss. Gwin has interests in worldwide traveling, mountain climbing (having summitted peaks in 5 of the 7 continents), and writing poetry.

Eric Mathews is the co-founder of Mercury Technology Labs LLC, a venture creation company and pre-seed investment firm.  Eric was formerly the Associate Director of Corporate Research and Development of the FedEx Institute of Technology where he was responsible for growing research and leading economic development activities including the growth of strategic business relationships with Fortune 500 companies.  Eric’s career has been entrenched in the various stages of business development, including the founding, directing, and developing of several businesses in the fields of technology, manufacturing, and consumer products.  Prior to this, he founded and directed academic technology research labs that worked on healthcare technologies, sustainable building, and artificial intelligence, among others.  Eric has a B.S. in Chemistry from Rhodes College, and an M.S. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Memphis. Eric consults for industry and has been quoted in numerous international and local press outlets on the use and influence of technology in modern business.

Throughout his working experience, Marc Diaz has been intrigued with the convergence of business and technology.  Applying technology in meaningful ways to positively impact profitability, enhance service offerings, and increase efficiencies have been the foundations of his entrepreneurial efforts. Marc has been a frequent lecturer on entrepreneurship and most recently co-founded Mercury Technology Labs to accelerate venture creation in the Mid-South. Marc has served as the Entrepreneur in Residence at the FedEx Institute of Technology and as a faculty member in the Fogelman College of Business at the University of Memphis, with primary responsibility for the business plan competition. Marc has a B.B.A., M.S. in Electronic Commerce and a J.D. all from the University of Memphis.  

Harry began his career as research assistant developing CAD models for the Aerodynamics department at the Technical University of Darmstadt and later as a research assistant for Fraunhofer Institute and the Computer Graphics Center (ZGDV) also in Darmstadt, Germany. Harry then managed the international division of AIL Taiwan, a hardware distribution company. Upon returning to the US, Harry oversaw international client side Mac testing at AOL and then was product manager for the Personal Finance Channel where he was responsible for coordinating development teams located in California, Virginia and Dublin Ireland. Before starting his current law practice, Harry was the vice president of a wireless broadband startup. Recently Harry joined Textbound, a mobile marketing and commerce company, as CEO. Harry has a B.A. from Virginia Tech, an MS in Information Systems Technology from George Washington University and a JD from Catholic University.

Lori is co-founder of RedRover Company, a break-through sales, marketing and communications consulting firm. Before opening her own marketing firm, Lori spent over 15 years leading corporate marketing and communications divisions in the financial services, hospitality and franchise restaurant sectors. As Director of Marketing for the Hampton Hotels brand (part of Hilton Hotels Corporation), Lori managed promotional, direct and Web marketing, as well as custom publishing, for the brand’s franchise system. In her role as Vice President of Employee Communications and Development for First Horizon National Corporation, she managed the corporation’s internal culture initiatives, communications, and employee recognition programs.  Lori holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in addition to having completed the University of Colorado’s School of Bank Marketing and Management. She is a member of the Memphis Advertising Federation and the recipient of multiple gold Addy awards from this organization. She also served as ghost writer for several chapters in the renowned “Complete Idiot’s Guide to Guerilla Marketing” book currently available for sale on amazon.com.

A 2006 graduate of Rhodes College with a B. A. in Urban Studies, Anna Ivey currently works at Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.  Prior to Morgan Keegan, Anna was the meetings and events manager at eh Memphis Area Association of Realtors.   Anna is active in the community, particularly with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, where she volunteers as a Quality Assurance Team member.

Sridhar Sunkara is Director of Information Systems at Center City Commission. Sridhar has started IT department at Center City Commission and got it to a level where the organization is taking advantage of technology. Sridhar is an active member in the community and help nonprofit organizations with their technology strategies. Sridhar served on board of MPACT and now serve on Steering Committee at NEXUS program (a mentor driven Leadership Program by 2nd Presbyterian Church and MPACT). Sridhar has got Master in City and Urban Planning from University of Memphis. He got Bachelors in Architecture and Diploma in Computers from India.

Tennessee Technology Development Corporation will be hosting an information forum on SBIRs and STTRs and discussing their new Phase 0 Incentive Grants to encourage small businesses and startups to apply for Phase 1 SBIRs and STTRs.  The event will be held at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the morning of February 26, 8:00-9:30am.  The combination of providing start-up costs and technical assistance should lead to more quality applications from TN small businesses resulting in more grant funds awarded and more small businesses having the opportunity to develop and launch a product in Tennessee. For more information visit the TTDC website: http://www.tntechnology.org For the solicitation visit http://www.tntechnology.org/pdfs/TTDCPhase-0GrantProgramSolicitation.pdf