REGIONERATE BOOKLET 2011

Contents Overture Executive Summary Projects & Services Core Competencies Stakeholder Coordination Contacts

regional competitiveness. REGIONERATE has been a contractor

Overture

to federal government agencies, including the Department of REGIONERATE is one of the leading Community Restoration

Labor and the Department of Commerce.

Consulting firm in the U.S., servicing a number of municipalities, businesses, government agencies and city regions, which have a demand for the types of services in which it provides to the general public.

Since founding REGIONERATE, Linda has led the development and deployment of “strategic doing�, a strategy discipline designed for loosely joined networks and clusters. Initially developed by Ed Morrison at the Purdue Center for Regional

REGIONERATE also is a great destination for organizations in the public/private

arena

that

may

need

a

company

(like

REGIONERATE) which offers an array of readily available information online, which can be acquired while they surf our website.

With

the

Development (PCRD), strategic doing provides the agile strategy framework to identify collaboration opportunities quickly. PCRD has contracted with REGIONERATE to support its work in strategic doing and to develop new tools and teaching materials to support this discipline.

growing

demand

for

high-quality,

consulting

companies who can meet the demand of the changing economic conditions in our nation, REGIONERATE capitalizes on the expertise of its key person, Linda Fowler, to build a core group of well-served clients. REGIONERATE believes that it offers clients the best possible solutions in the industry that are complimented with its strong relationship approach, as well as timely follow-up procedures that its clients have come to count on to enjoy their experience with REGIONERATE .

REGIONERATE has contracted with State government agencies, including in Colorado and Maine.

REGIONERATE has served

multiple cities and their regions, including: Flint, MI; Detroit, MI; Toledo, OH; Youngstown, OH, Erie, PA; Milwaukee, WI; and Evansville, IN. In addition to working with government at the federal, state, and local levels, REGIONERATE has many clients in other sectors, including: individual manufacturing companies, manufacturing

consortia, universities,

community

colleges,

regional clusters, local economic development organizations, national funders, and community foundations.

The company, established in 2009, is currently based in Bethesda, Maryland, and is a woman-owned firm. The company is a single employee firm, with other firms and universities providing

products

and

services

to

support

economic

development, with a particular focus on federal, state and regional innovation.

REGIONERATE is a partner in a new venture, Strategy-Nets, LLC, which was formed in 2010. Strategy-Nets, a venture-funded spinout

from

Purdue

University

Center

for

Regional

Development, provides Web 2.0 technology platform that integrates strategic advisory services with powerful Web 2.0 tools. REGIONERATE uses this platform to support clients

REGIONERATE specializes in asset mapping and strategy development and execution to expand regional capacity and to facilitate community networks and clusters to accelerate

engaged in developing strategy for open innovation networks and clusters.

strengthening the competitiveness of small and mid-sized

Executive Summary

manufacturers in the United States.

Linda Fowler is Founder and President of REGIONERATE. Linda has developed a div ersified, nationwide consulting service that is dedicated to regional collaboration and innovation. Linda has a

strong

background

acceleration,

and

in

civic

economic

networking,

technology

development.

Linda

is

currently consulting with many regions across the country on

In this role, Linda

collaborated with the private sector to build and test a novel process of technology transfer and deployment; in addition, Linda played a key role in the development of a virtual Innovation

Marketplace

and

a

Technology

Acceleration

System. Linda also played a leadership role for the NIST-MEP workforce strategy.

establishing networks to address workforce development, economic

development,

education

transformation,

and

entrepreneurship opportunities.

From 2005 to 2007, Linda was on detail with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), where she worked closely with the Assistant Secretary to enhance programs within Employment and Training

Linda

is

providing technical

assistance

to several

auto

communities in the Midwest on redeploying their intellectual assets. She is also working with eight state utility consortia for a Gates Foundation investment that is focused on creating

Administration (ETA). At DOL, Linda directed many activ ities for the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative, including Strategic Partnerships and SectorFocused Communities of Practice.

energy career pathways for young adults. In a separate project, Linda is coordinating a national network of community college leaders who are focused on auto community recovery strategies.

Prior to her federal government career at NIST/DOL, Linda was a management consultant for Restructuring Associates, Inc., based in Washington, DC.

In this capacity, Linda advised

Fortune 100 companies on the design and implementation of In another major focus, Linda directed a US Department of Commerce

pilot

project

that

supported

the

market

organizational and technological change, human resource development, and labor-management cooperation.

diversification efforts of small manufacturers in NE Ohio and the Milwaukee 7 region.

In related projects, REGIONERATE has

partnered with Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI) and the Institute for Open Networks to conduct comprehensive analyses of occupational

competencies for high growth

industries and high demand occupations in regions.

Linda graduated magna cum laude from Kalamazoo College (MI) where she received awards of excellence in Engl ish, Philosophy, and Psychology. Subsequently, Linda completed graduate work at the University of Michigan in the School of Public Administration and Industrial and Labor Relations. During this interval, Linda also worked as a project engineer in the auto

In the decade prior to founding REGIONERATE, Linda was the Senior Advisor with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP); NIST-MEP is a Department of Commerce program focused on

industry for General Motors Corporation.

identify

Projects & Services

pilot

(manufacturing REGIONERATE: Brevard County Space Shuttle Transition Planning (Brevard County Workforce Board)

with Strategy Nets to facilitate three regional forums for Space Coast stakeholders, including representatives from government, education,

private

and

involving

other

the

businesses),

private

sector

university

and

community college leadership, government (including MEP and local government leadership), and nonprofit sectors. Strategy

From April 2010 to September 2010, REGIONERATE partnered

workforce,

participants

sector,

and

economic

development. The regional roundtables generated new insights

sessions and locally based meetings focused on identifying specific steps to build a manufacturing growth strategy and aligned green workforce. The pilot brought together networks and built deeper connections across the key public/private sectors involved in regional development.

and strategies for a regional plan to support entrepreneurship networks, a Clean Energy Cluster, and Talent Marketing initiatives.

The Clean Energy Consortia was launched at the

Florida Solar Energy Center on the Brevard campus of the University of Central Florida in mid- September.

Since then,

REGIONERATE has supported the development of their cluster plan, identified

opportunities

for partnerships

with Gates

Foundation and Florida’s Energy Workforce Consortia, and identified funding sources for ongoing support.

Metro Denver WIRED Sustainability Initiative From March 2009 to October 2009, REGIONERATE and its partner, Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA), provided research of model practices and sustainability planning for a regional talent development system for Metro Denver.

The

project team conducted an internal and external scan of distinctive national models and a gaps analysis of the required talent development model attributes and approaches.

The

assessment included the scope and activ ity of the region’s REGIONERATE: Market Diversification Pilot for Auto Suppliers (NE Ohio and Milwaukee) From August 2009 to April 2010, REGIONERATE and her strategic partners, Stone and Associates and Chicago Manufacturing Center were engaged by the U.S. Department of Commerce to lead a market diversification pilot for auto suppliers to create real and lasting growth and prosperity in two regions (NE Ohio and SE Wisconsin). The consulting team engaged regional leadership in these regions to build on ongoing relationships and

many programs, networks, and organizations with an existing focus on economic development and talent development.

Based on this input, REGIONERATE and TPMA developed a dynamic framework for program and policy connections among industry, economic development, education, and the workforce system. The sustainability plan included alignment of state

and

federal

initiatives

and

examples

opportunities to support regional prosperity.

of

funding

REGIONERATE: Reengagement and Reemployment Strategy

development.

Development, U.S. Department of Labor

manufacturing

From June 2009 to January 2010, REGIONERATE and I-Open

including Defense and Energy and helping the region access

deliv ered fiv e strategic doing forums focused on development

federal funding opportunities including EPA, HUD, EDA, and SBA.

of

development

With assistance from REGIONERATE, the Mid-Michigan region

In addition, the

was awarded HUD and EDA funds for planning and economic

job

creation

strategies

for

workforce

professionals and their regional partners.

consulting team developed train the trainer workshop materials

In this role, REGIONERATE is supporting a consortia

move

into

new

supply

chains,

development activ ities.

for national, state, and local workforce administrators and practitioners to facilitate the growth and development of regional innovation strategies.

These workshops included the promotion of innovation across education, workforce development, small business assistance, research and development, government, and collaboration REGIONERATE: Regional Workforce Alliance (RWA) Competency

across organizational and political boundaries.

Study (Wisconsin) In fall 2009, EMSI, I-Open, and REGIONERATE completed a comprehensive industry, workforce, and competency study for the

Regional

Workforce

Alliance

(RWA) of Southeastern

Wisconsin and Northeastern Illinois. The project identified core “in-demand� occupational knowledge, skills, and abilities within the region, determined focus industries and occupations, and REGIONERATE: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

looked at ways to develop clearer career pathways and bridge

and Execution for Mid-Michigan Region

the

(Greater Flint Region, Michigan)

professionals.

Since June 2010, REGIONERATE has been engaged by Mott

report and presentation.

Foundation to facilitate public-priv ate partnerships between universities, private companies, non-profits, elected officials, economic

development

development

providers

organizations, to

create

a

and

workforce

highly

conduciv e

environment for innovation and entrepreneurialism, emphasizing the

commercialization

investment,

technology

of

innovations

transfer

and

through

capital

human

capital

gap

between See

workforce,

business,

and

education

http://www.milwaukee7-rwa.org/wiki

for

Core Competencies REGIONERATE LLC is a national consulting firm that supports

and distinctive practices for cluster policy and practice.

Deliv erables include:

Within the course of a four to six hour session, we design

(1) Several

an initial strategic action plan for the RIC (the “Alpha

regional transformation by connecting new civ ic processes with

plan”). Participants in the workshop begin implementing

offerings that build local capacity for long-term competiv eness

the Alpha plan immediately.

and prosperity. Three specific company strategies are used to promote

regional

development.

The

President

of

-

provides consulting services for sustainability and organizational sustainable

manufacturing

supply

chain

performance, business innovation and workforce practices, stakeholder

communications,

and

the

development

of

Advanced Cluster workshop | This step identifies the

industries will be well identified and assessed. Advanced cluster workshops will be more concise and focused on

Initial Assessment | At this stage we develop workshops

revising the alpha plan and practicing the disciplines of

and advisory services for each cluster.

strategic doing within the RIC. As strategic action plans evolve, they become more focused, clear, and concise.

Cluster asset mapping | An indispensable component of

The process of linking, leveraging and aligning assets

the service pack, cluster asset mapping looks for

toward new opportunities becomes faster.

specialized assets within the region that can support the -

Advanced follow-up support services | These advanced services are designed to accelerate the continued “linking and leveraging” of specialized assets from outside the region to strengthen the RIC. These services may include, for example, scheduling presentations to

introduces the initial core members of the RIC to models

sustainable; and

assets, and shared outcomes.

and global trends that are most likely to affect the

Typical Products and Services to support regional innovation:

Introductory cluster workshop | The initial workshop

initiatives that result from each forum that includes

These associations often serve as clearinghouses for

the wealth of information on the target clusters, national

developers, entrepreneurship support organizations.

-

(2) A compendium of identified possible joint investment

region can support clusters with information, intellectual

market and industry analysis. With this experience and

developers, local elected officials, consortia, economic

programs, and the like.

locations;

representativ es from target cluster industry associations.

trends. The Project Team has extensiv e experience in

(2) Working relationships with regional educators, workforce

facilities, skilled professionals, education or training

cluster

and specific information on how organizations in the

industries and interview them about national and global

federal funders and national foundations; and

Cluster (RIC). These assets can include technologies,

key

identified industry clusters by identifying and contacting

international experts and analysts on target cluster

growth and development of the Regional Innovation

at

(3) Each potential investment initiative will include overview

project team will also identify the best national and

(1) Ongoing dialogue and professional relationships with

-

centered

national trends and global driv ers that may impact

information on key industry issues. REGIONERATE and the

public/private sector partnerships.

-

forums

potential projects that are replicable, scalable, and

REGIONERATE, Linda Fowler, is an expert in the field who

leadership,

regional

foundations or federal labs.

Stakeholder Coordination REGIONERATE has been asked to support an interagency federal team focused on Technical Assistance for Regional Innovation Clusters

(TARIC).

TARIC has

requested

that

REGIONERATE be part of their Space Transition Planning team.

NASA is supporting REGIONERATE to present at meetings at Space Shuttle sites, including Johnson Space Center on November

15-16,

2010.

In

addition,

Linda

Fowler

of

REGIONERATE was asked by TARIC to organize a site visit of federal representativ es to the Space Coast in the January timeframe.

As a founder and activ e member of the Interagency Network of Enterprise Assistance providers, a group of federal agencies that

REGIONERATE

meets monthly to discuss strategies, policies, and programs to

Workforce Board and has established relationships with many of

support small enterprises, REGIONERATE has access to the

the local stakeholders in the region, including TRDA, the Space

current priorities of the Administration as they relate to

Coast Energy Consortia, Space Coast Economic Development

supporting regional clusters and is made aware of upcoming

Organization,

funding opportunities as well as technical assistance available

Development Group.

to cluster companies in the Space Coast.

Access to these

federal programs and agencies will be leveraged to provide guidance on applications

for funding for regional

plan

implementation. REGIONERATE consults with the Small Business Administration and Commerce on their Regional Innovation Cluster Development Strategies. Linda Fowler also has a close working relationship with EPA and Department of Energy.

As a subcontractor to the Gates Foundation, REGIONERATE is working closely with several Florida state entities, including the Florida State Utility Consortia, STEM Florida, and the Florida Workforce Board as a technical assistance provider for the Gates Foundation to support career pathways in STEM and Energy.

has

and

also contracted with Brevard

Kennedy

Space

Center

County

Business

Contacts REGIONERATE Primary Intermediary Linda Fowler / CEO Web and Electronic Communications: www.REGIONERATE.com lindmariefowler@gmail.com