Spencer Dillard is the owner of Spencer Dillard Consulting (SDC), a technology consulting organization that provides outsourced product management capabilities for the financial services industry.  SDC works with the complete software lifecycle — from strategy and requirements to system design, development, and testing.  Spencer was formerly the Director of Product Design for netDecide Corporation, where he was part of the team responsible for raising more than $17 million dollars from a combination of individuals, angel investors, and venture capitalists.  As part of the management team, he was also involved in multiple negotiations around potential mergers and acquisitions that the company evaluated and was directly involved in the sale of the company to Informa Investment Solutions (“IIS”), a division of Informa PLC.  After a brief stint with Thomson Financial, Spencer returned to IIS as the Chief Product Officer and had responsibility for the AdvisorDecide Wealth Management System.  Having been involved with 3 different startups, he brings to the Mercury Alpha Fund a deep understanding of the realities of a startup, as well as competence in both technology and finance.  With a fundamental belief that technology can be used to create value for business while empowering customers, Spencer brings a unique perspective to developing solutions by effectively mixing business and technological innovations.  With a B.S. in Finance and German from the University of Richmond, Spencer has presented on topics ranging from Wealth Forecasting and Asset Allocation to Systems Design and Computational Mathematics.

Dr. Douglas Scarboro is the Director of Community Engagement at The Leadership Academy.  He develops programming and events in partnership with The Leadership Academy alumni and community partners, which provides innovative opportunities for alumni to engage with one another.  Additionally in this capacity, he guides Fellows from idea to creation of a successful Community Action Project through interaction with The Leadership Academy alumni, facilitated classes and partnerships with area corporations and non-profits.  Douglas has a B.A. in political science from Morehouse College, an M.B.A. from Campbell University and Ed. D in Higher and Adult Education from the University of Memphis.  Douglas’ current scholarly research focuses on the use of cultural competency training in pharmacy pre-professionals and evaluating leadership development programs in Memphis and Shelby County.  Douglas is also a board member of Lantana Projects, a non-profit (501c3) dedicated to making Memphis, TN a leader in the global contemporary arts community.

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