Jacques Koppel, President

Jacques Koppel is a recognized leader in the field of technology-led economic development, providing creative solutions for the public sector.
Prior to establishing the Koppel Group in 2003, he was CEO of Minnesota Technology, Inc. He transformed this organization into a national leader in such areas as technology extension, seed capital, industry/university technology transfer and rural development.

Previously, Jacques was Director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Technology Development and Ben Franklin Partnership, managing a $40 million annual state investment.

He has written a number of articles and reports on a variety of issues relating to technology/industrial competitiveness as well spoken to industry groups, state Legislatures and Congress.

Active at the national level, Jacques served as Chairman of the National Governor’s Association Science & Technology Council, on the Boards of the State Science & Technology Institute and the National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing as well as on committees for the Council on Competitiveness, National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences.

Jacques has a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics and a B.A. degree from New York University.

Patty Billings, Vice-President

Patty Billings has over fifteen years experience in technology based-economic development and public policy.

As Managing Director of Minnesota Technology, Inc. Patty ran a new product investment fund, established an equity fund to invest in small and medium sized manufacturing/technology companies and also developed and implemented various programs to enhance industry-university research collaborations. These services have been nationally recognized for their caliber and effectiveness, largely because of the unique balance of their market-driven approach and public policy goals.

Patty has advised the Minnesota Legislature and Governor on technology- based economic development issues and outcome based measurements of government-funded services. She has taught seminars around the country on developing effective relationships with public sector stakeholders.

Patty holds a law degree from Duke University and a Bachelors degree from Cornell University. Before her work in economic development and public policy, she was general counsel for a school district in California.

Primary Partnering Organizations

Trent Williams, Principal
Regional Technology Strategies, Carrboro, North Carolina – www.rtsinc.org

Since its foundation in 1991, RTS has been operating on the cutting edge of economic and workforce development. They are recognized as leaders in developing and promoting such strategies as inter-firm cooperation, industrial clusters, the role of community and technical colleges in workforce development, and the importance of science and technology policy. RTS works around the country and in other nations helping people and organizations understand how these types of strategies can improve a region’s economic vitality.

Mike Stone, President
Stone & Associates, Kennebunk, Maine
www.stone-assoc.com

Stone & Associates, Inc., is a strategic management-consulting firm that assists clients in industrial and business-to-business markets to make strategic decisions by conducting in-depth market research and analysis on markets and competitors, and by modeling costs and profitability.

Their work answers critical business questions, by generating insights about a client’s market and competitive position. Their core skill is research and analysis, based on a combination of external sources (customers, suppliers, competitors) and internal data (interviews and analysis of client costs and operations). They bring a fresh, outside perspective and ensure that plans are based on a credible picture of the business environment.