Ron DavisExecutive DirectorAlabama Entrepreneurship InstituteJuly 29, 2013

How to Get Involved

Presentation to Students

Gina SimpsonDirector, The EDGETuscaloosa, Alabama

Gina Simpson is a native of Alabama, resident of Tuscaloosa, and is a graduate of The University of Alabama. She holds a B.S. in Management with a concentration in Small Company Management and Entrepreneurship and a M.S. in Marketing. Mrs. Simpson has spent her career as a serial entrepreneur founding, managing and growing several companies. Currently, she is the President and Owner of VeloCity Pro Cycle, a full service bicycle shop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She founded the company with her husband in 2006 and has grown it to be the largest bicycle shop in the area. Using VeloCity as the catalyst, Mrs. Simpson was able to found, grow, and aid in the recruitment of several sporting events in the area including the Tour de Tuscaloosa, multiple National USA Triathlons, and the Spooktacular Cyclo-Cross race. Mrs. Simpson is also the President of Regina Holdings, LLC, a private investment firm she founded in 2010. Mrs. Simpson is using her entrepreneurial experience to grow and Commerce in the role of Director for The EDGE, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Her duties include acting as a partner with The University of Alabama and the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute to grow and develop entrepreneurial opportunities, recruit potential entrepreneurs, and develop community relationships to aid in the center’s growth. In addition to business owner and consultant, Mrs. Simpson is an Adjunct Professor at The University of Alabama in the areas of Entrepreneurship and Leadership. Previously, Mrs. Simpson co-founded and co-owned Gilco Contracting, Inc. which was sold for profit in 2007. In 2009, she was awarded the Rising Star Entrepreneurship Award by the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. In 2011, she was presented with the Roots and Wings Award by the Women in Business Council. She is very active in the community serving on several boards. Mrs. Simpson is a current member and past chairman of the Tuscaloosa Tourism Sports Commission (TTSC). She was the Chairman of the TTSC CEO Search Committee and currently serves on the TTSC Partnership Committee. She also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Alabama Cycling Association. Mrs. Simpson now serves on the River Market Development Committee, the Future PAC Board of Directors, and the Tuscaloosa Downtown Entertainment District Committee. She is a member of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, the Academy of Management, the Southern Management Association, and the Druid City Bicycle Club. Mrs. Simpson has been married for 14 years and has one four year old daughter.

Ron Davis P.E.Executive DirectorAlabama Entrepreneurship InstituteUniversity of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL

Ron Davis began his career in the automotive industry at the age of 17 as a high school co-op student with the Delco Remy Division of General Motors. After high school Davis graduated with honors from Purdue University with a degree in mechanical engineering while continuing as a college co-op student with General Motors. During his career at General Motors Davis held many positions to include:

1. Engineer in advanced product development 2. Program Manager for Hydraulic Transmission controls product and process development 3. Assistant Staff Engineer for Motion Controls product and process development 4. Assistant Staff Engineer for Powder Metal Forge products

In 1994 Davis became a part of Delco Remy America and was named Vice President and General Manager of the Powder Metal Forge Division in Meridian Mississippi. After this Division was sold, Davis returned to General Motors in 1997 to lead the lean manufacturing efforts for the Saginaw Steering Division of General Motors in Athens Alabama.

In 2000 Davis joined Federal Mogul as Plant Manager of the heavy duty piston business in Orangeburg, SC. 2002 - 2012 Davis returned to Alabama and joined ZF Lemforder to manage the Axle assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Davis’ key accomplishments in the Automotive Industry and Community can be summarized as follows:

5. Four product design patents for General Motors 6. Managed development of the first Ford/GM joint patent 7. Lean transformation improvements and new product startups in General Motors, Delco

Remy America, Delphi, Federal Mogul and ZF Lemforder. 8. Led the ZF Lemforder plant to win the 2008 Shingo Prize for Lean Manufacturing

Excellence 9. Board member of AAMA, Chairman of AMINA, and Chairman of the Tuscaloosa

Manufacturing Council, West Alabama Chamber Board Member, Member Tuscaloosa Morning Rotary Club, Fayette City Beautification Committee Chairman.

10. President AAMA (Alabama Automotive Manufacturing Association) 2008-2010, 2012-2014 11. Contributor to West Alabama Economic Development: Board Member of C-3, Board

Member of Fayette Economic Development Advisory Board 12. Alabama E3 Sustainability award 2012

In October 2012 Ron joined The University of Alabama as Executive Director of Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute

MissionThe mission of the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute (AEI) is to promote entrepreneurship and economic development in the region and create wealth and jobs. AEI does this by uniting University of Alabama resources and students with entrepreneurs and industry, and by providing unique student learning opportunities. Through partnerships with entrepreneurs, established industry, and non-profit organizations, AEI accelerates the growth of Alabama companies, increases new venture start-ups in the Southeast, and attracts firms to the area.

AEI is located at The EDGE, 800 22nd Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL. The EDGE is a business incubator managed in partnership with the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

Goals

• Start at least two new student knowledge-based businesses per year

• Start at least two new community-based businesses per year

• Commercialize UA technology through AIME and OTT

• Develop student entrepreneurship support

• Partner with industry, state and local government, industry associations and

universities to maximize results and faculty and student engagement

• Institute apprentice programs, internships and co-op opportunities

• Develop a virtual automotive accelerator in partnership with Southern

Automotive Conference (SAC) and Center for Automotive Research (CAR)

• Establish The EDGE as the center of entrepreneurship in Alabama

Student Engagement/Industry Connection Sub-Committee Direction Identify Co-Op and internships • AEI Advisory Board • Industry • Entrepreneurs

Culverhouse Seals (Strategic Entrepreneurship & Applied Leadership) • Keener • Southern Carbide

Visit industry to identify opportunities Industry Day Women’s Initiative Expand Technology Business Model Competition Triage – Expansion • Technical • Law • Business

Unique Experiences • Cassimus Adventure

Women’s InitiativeOn March 6, 2013 Lauren Goodson, a SAWF

member with Cornerstone Recruitment

Group, Diane Johnson, Professor and Chair

of Management and Marketing in the UA’s

College of Commerce and Business

Administration, and Nancy Boyd, Alabama

Entrepreneurship Institute at The EDGE

organized a “Meet & Greet” to give female

faculty, staff and students an opportunity

to learn about the SAWF. SAWF is a non-

profit, professional organization dedicated

to promoting education and scholarships in

addition to personal and professional

advancement of women in the automotive

industry who are located in the Southern

Region of the United States.

Gina Simpson, Director at The EDGE, sits with students as they learn about SAWF

Diane Johnson, Chair, Management & Marketing Dept. in the Culverhouse College of Commerce starts discussion of what a UA/SAWF initiative could bring to the UA Engineering and Research students and staff

Women’s Initiative continued

SAWF’s vision is to collaborate with companies

and organizations by leveraging the knowledge

and talents of women role models to foster a

dynamic regional automotive community within

the Southern states. SAWF provides

scholarships, educational programs and

mentoring to attract and retain women to this

industry.

Forty-four women along with some male faculty

mingled and made connections with potential

mentors and representatives from automotive

manufacturers and suppliers. Many students

whose field of study included MBAs, OMs, and

various Engineering degrees left with a handful

of business cards from faculty members and

outside industry including Mercedes Benz.

Mary Patterson, AERN Director, chats with UA Engineering student.

Women’s Initiative continued

This networking event provided

relevant advice on career paths in the

automotive industry.

Thank You

Questions?

Ron Davis Gina SimpsonExecutive Director DirectorAlabama Entrepreneurship Institute The EDGEThe University of Alabama 800 22nd Avenue 800 22nd Avenue Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401205-722-5178Phone: 205-657-5101