EVOLVE Magazine - Greater Daytona Edition - August 2021

G RE A T E R DAY TONA RE GION

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INNOVATION ISSUE

FAMEA BOOST TO LOCAL MANUFACTURING JOB MARKET

DR. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE: INNOVATOR AND ENTREPRENEUR IMPLANTING INNOVATION

This issue of

INNOVATION NATION CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT A KEY TO BUSINESS SUCCESS

is provided courtesy of

Trust is Earned.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FROM THE EDITOR BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

EVOLVE Greater Daytona Region is published by TouchPoint Innovative Solutions.

EVOLVE Business and Entrepreneur Magazine

PUBLISHER

In Every Issue

Howard M. Holley

EDITOR John Guthrie

03 From the Editor

04 FAME –A Boost to Local Manufacturing Job Market

28

18 Racing to the Future: NASCAR Embraces Innovation as a Key to Long-term Success

MANAGING EDITOR Elesha Mavrommatis

ART DIRECTOR Leslie Proctor

CIRCULATION & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Alejandra Galan

ADVERTISING SALES Jeanne Coates

The Road Ahead

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

10

30

Implanting Innovation

21 Testing for Innovation

Nick Conte • City of DeLand Richard Cooper • Halifax Insurance Partners Heather Edwards • Volusia County Economic Development Department Michael Jiloty • Team Volusia Aaron London • Journalist/Writer Brian Rademacher • City of Ormond Beach

Community Service Means Good Business

Features

Chris Thomes • Daytona State College Chris Wimsatt • Team Volusia

14 Bethune’s Legacy Fuels Today’s Entrepreneurs

06 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune: Innovator and Entrepreneur

22 Innovation Nation: Creative Engagement a Key to Business Success

I

nnovation!

That simple word is as complex as it can get. It seems there are many

definitions of the word. Just google “definition of innovation” and you’ll get

1.9 billion results.

For this issue of EVOLVE the Editorial Board chose to define innovation not

as creation but as new ways to do old things.

Known widely as an educator, civil rights and women’s rights activist, Dr.

Mary McLeod Bethune, who is being honored with a statue in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall, was also a great innovator and entrepreneur. Dr. Mary McLeoud Bethune: Innovator & Entrepreneur is a fascinating read about this less well-

known part of her legacy, the impact of which continues to reverberate in our community and beyond.

Dr. Michelle Carter, who I would like to thank for participating in this

issue, shares in a personal essay how Dr. Bethune has influenced her life as a community leader and entrepreneur.

Local manufacturers, Jayne Fifer of the Volusia Manufacturing Association,

Daytona State College and CareerSource Flagler Volusia have partnered to bring

FAME (Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education) to the area. This is an innovative “earn while you learn” approach to educating and advancing skilled workers in the manufacturing industry.

Again, innovation is all about new ways to do things which causes me to ask,

how do you innovate in your business?

When I think of NASCAR, I dream of Bill France Sr. holding court at the

Streamline Hotel, The North Turn and of course the World Center of Racing

Amy Workowski • The W Agency

created in a trioval so more people could see the front stretch and pit road. Ben

Interested in Advertising?

and moving forward…racing yes, but really the innovation he focuses on is the

If you would like to advertise in EVOLVE, please call 386.449.8353 or email us at info@ evolvemagazinesflorida.com.

Write For Us!

If you’re interested in contributing to EVOLVE, please email links to current writing samples and a little bit about yourself to Editor@Evolvemagazinesflorida.com.

EVOLVE is published four times per year.

Kennedy shares with us the innovations the sport has seen through the pandemic media to support the racing fan to make the whole sport more engaging.

Innovation is all around us…even in our mouths if you have had a crown

put on a tooth at David Lloyd DDS’s office. We have gone from waiting weeks

for a crown to having it printed while you wait. And who would have thought

that Volusia County and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University would provide a home for TECHFIT. The company’s approach to healthcare goes beyond norm to customize healthcare for each individual patient.

This and so much more awaits you in the pages ahead.

EvolveMagazinesFlorida.com by

CONTACT US

16 Journey to Statuary Hall

24 Innovation at Kingspan Makes ‘Planet Passionate’ Possible

Editor@evolvemagazineflorida.com

TouchPoint Innovative Solutions All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. TouchPoint Innovative Solutions assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

JOHN GUTHRIE

Editor, EVOLVE

Scan the QR code to access EVOLVE digital or visit

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© 2021 TouchPoint Innovative Solutions. All rights reserved.

| 2 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2021 | 3 |

FAME –

FL FAME Sunshine was the first of only two existing Florida

A BOOST TO LOCAL MANUFACTURING JOB MARKET

V

chapters to be created, the other being Gulf Coast Chapter in

explains but with the intention that the employee will remain

Panama City. The local chapter’s sponsor manufacturers are

employed in a full time position by the sponsoring company. Fifer

ABB Group, Boston Whaler, B. Braun Medical, Dougherty

adds that the graduates “will have full time jobs with benefits, an

Manufacturing, Everglades Boats, Germfree Laboratories, Hudson

education pathway – meaning they can then go on to a bachelor’s

Technologies, Pentair, SCCY and Sparton.

degree program if they want; and [will graduate] virtually debt free.

FL FAME Sunshine Chapter has partnered with DSC to provide classroom and hands-on technical training in multiple

by David Castagnacci olusia and Flagler counties are embarking this month on one of the nation’s most respected and innovative programs for educating and advancing

skilled workers into the local manufacturing industry.

manufacturing disciplines – including electronics, mechanical,

some of the sponsoring companies are committed to taking on two

workplace organization, teamwork and communication.

students,” Fifer says. And Loeffler explains that, with the program

Artie Loeffler, CFO of Dynamic Engineering Innovations, VMA chairman and also FL FAME Sunshine Chapter president, explains the national

who will divide their week between working for one of

Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT).

The program is a combined effort of local manufacturers, the Volusia Manufacturers Association (VMA), Daytona State College (DSC) and CareerSource Flagler Volusia. VMA leaders have been working for the past year to organize the local “FL FAME Sunshine Chapter,” and it begins Aug. 13 with a ‘commitment signing’ ceremony for the students, followed by the start of DSC’s fall semester on August 23.

VMA was introduced to FAME by Frank Mercer, director of DSC’s Center for Business and Industry. “The local manufacturers have been experiencing a skilled labor VMA’s President / CEO. “It appealed to our manufacturers because it was manufacturer-

Jayne Fifer

led which meant they could adapt the program to produce workers skilled in the areas most needed, particularly Advanced Manufacturing Technicians,” Fifer adds.

FAME USA was founded in Kentucky in 2010 through an innovative partnership between the Toyota Corporation and the Bluegrass Community and Technical College. The goal is to help solve a local skills trade shortage while providing a pathway for people to earn a technical degree debt-free. And now the program has expanded to 14 states with 36 chapters and more than 300 engaged employers – including such well-known names as Toyota, GE, Hershey, Caterpillar, Tyson, Trane, Kohler, Xerox and 3M.

| 4 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

Artie Loeffler

becoming an annual endeavor, they could eventually have up to 60 student participants at one time.

VMA and DSC leaders are enthused about the inaugural August

FAME model is used for ‘best practices’ in

13 ‘signing ceremony,’ which will be at the ATC. The accepted

coordinating the Sunshine National program. But

students will be signing letters of intent to work for a particular

the local chapter has much leeway in adoption

manufacturing company while enrolled in the FAME Advanced

of its program. “The local chapter is run by the

Manufacturing Technician program at DSC.

local manufacturers, with their needs in the forefront,” he says,

“FAME is a great option for students and

adding that the chapter has formed a Curriculum Committee

area companies to explore each other,” says Mike

to make curriculum changes as requested and needed by local

Prins, president of Hudson Technologies. “As a

manufacturers.

manufacturer, we are regularly looking for talent,

“The very structure of FAME is innovation at its best,” Fifer

specifically talent that wants to grow and learn and

adds. “Employers are taking control. It is the only employer-led,

contribute,” he adds. “FAME students are at the place Mike Prins

learn while you earn training program assuring the manufacturing

in life [where] they want to contribute in meaningful

sponsors that [graduates] will have the skill sets they need to

ways. We can offer that and mutually benefit.”

succeed. It is a specific not a generic education program with the

FAME also can be viewed as a progressive way to boost a

professional skills embedded in it (as well as the technical training).

community’s social and economic quality of life. “This is a win for

It teaches not only the what to do but how to work – the soft skills

the student, the employer and the community,” Fifer emphasizes.

that are lacking in so many of the workers today.”

“Trained workers in high skill, high wage jobs attract more higher

The two-year course lasts five semesters and encompasses about

shortage for years,” comments Jayne Fifer,

Currently there are 12 students signed up to start with the DSC

professional behaviors such as safety culture, quality tools,

model. Ten participating companies are sponsoring students

be virtually debt-free and have gainful employment as an

teachers, VMA.” fall semester. “Ideally we would like to start with 20 students, as

Education) operates through an ‘earn while you learn’

College. Upon graduation, they will have an associate degree,

Plus, a network grown while in the program – employers, students,

hydraulics and automation, as well as formal business and

FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing

the manufacturers and attending classes at Daytona State

“It is a relationship that officially ends at graduation,” Loeffler

paying jobs. Higher paying jobs give the employees more options

1,800 hours of learning and work experience. Students work with

for home ownership, family life is more stable, the tax base grows

the manufacturing firm three days a week, applying what they

and everyone is a winner – and that is a recipe for a higher quality

learn from two days in the classroom at DSC’s Advanced Technical

of life.”

Center (ATC) on Williamson Boulevard, Daytona Beach.

Student applicants must be 18 years or older with a high school education to be included in the review process for acceptance. Three separate scholarships (through VMA and Hudson Technologies) totaling $2,000 also are being awarded to select student applicants.

Loeffler says that the Sunshine Chapter set up a minimum salary for the participating companies to pay their sponsored students, although he envisions that some firms will surpass the hourly minimum. It is geared to enable the students to cover their DSC tuition costs – as well as some living expenses - and upon graduation have a well-paying position as an Advanced

David Castagnacci worked at the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce for 31 years where he served as Executive Director of the Volusia County Association for Responsible Development (VCARD) and its Flagler County chapter (FCARD), a non-profit association of planning and development professionals. Prior to that, he was a news reporter and New Smyrna Beach Bureau Chief for the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Manufacturing Technician with no student debt.

AUGUST 2021 | 5 |

DR. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE Innovator and Entrepreneur

D

by Bethune-Cookman University staff Photos courtesy of Bethune-Cookman University Archives

r. Mary McLeod Bethune was never one to shy away

Tampa realtor and mortician Garfield D. Rodgers, offered Dr.

from a challenge. As an African American woman

Bethune the opportunity to join them in the insurance business.

living at the turn of the 19th century, Dr. Bethune faced

This opportunity proved most lucrative for Dr. Bethune.

a tremendous amount of adversity and setbacks, which she met

Using the extra earnings from selling insurance, Dr. Bethune

with a fierce entrepreneurial spirit and a knack for innovative

was able to pay off the mortgage on the “Homestead,” the estate

thought. To this day, her legacy resonates throughout the Daytona

in which she was born and raised in Mayesville, SC and buy a

Beach area.

modern home for her parents.

“The spiritual and educational creed expressed in Dr. Bethune’s life and in her ‘Last Will and Testament,’ reflect the

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, right

Bethune Beach

core ideas that guide Daytona Beach,” said Mayor Derrick Henry.

As mentioned earlier, Dr. Bethune was an activist who

“Her legacy challenges us to live out our values both individually

advocated for the civil and personal rights of people of color.

and collectively. She serves as the moral compass that binds us

While she made her voice heard on a national level on many

together and inspires us to reach for our destiny.”

occasions, in the early 1940s, she took on a local cause – the lack

Although Dr. Bethune is best known as an educator, public figure in government, and Black women’s club activist, she

of access to Daytona’s public beaches for people of color.

Although beaches had been open to all races during Daytona

was also a successful businesswoman, who made a substantial

Beach’s founding years, by the 1940s, a series of Jim Crow laws

impact on the economic success of early Daytona Beach. Her

banned African Americans from most of Florida’s beaches where

personal and financial investments not only laid a foundation of

whites could go.

success for others but also ensured fiscal security for her and her family.

And like the other aspects of her life, Dr. Bethune’s

In 1943, working with a group of wealthy African American investors, including George Engram, Sr., owner of Engram Electric, the Bethune-Cookman University founder purchased

entrepreneurial spirit centered on improving the lives of those in

a 2.5 mile strip of land in New Smyrna Beach, 23 miles south

Black communities. In addition to establishing businesses to serve

of Daytona, for $200,000. She and Mr. Engram envisioned a

the people, she also invested in businesses. Here is a look at some

resort town where African Americans could gather in peace

of her more lucrative efforts.

and enjoy the surf and sun, all the while experiencing economic empowerment as property owners.

Insurance Business Dr. Bethune played a notable role in the insurance business in

land was subdivided into 800 properties and sold to African

companies catering specifically to the Black community, Dr.

Americans who wanted to live beachside.

historical accounts.

Dr. Bethune held capital stock in the Afro-American Life

| 6 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

Dr. Bethune serving as its first president. Shortly thereafter, the

North Central and Central Florida. Noting the lack of insurance Bethune lent her support to two companies, according to

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune addressing an audience at her birthday celebration

The beach was incorporated as Bethune-Volusia Beach, with

In 1951, Welricha Hotel, in which Dr. Bethune held partial interest, was opened to accommodate vacationers and provide recreational facilities to African American residents. Advertised as

Insurance Company of Jacksonville and is noted as a co-founder

“a playground controlled exclusively by our race,” the property

of the Central Life Insurance Company of Tampa. Her association

offered a resort-style setting where blacks could enjoy “recreation

with Central Life Insurance began in 1923, when 13 men, led by

and relaxation without humiliation.”

AUGUST 2021 | 7 |

Dr. Bethune visited the motel frequently with her family.

credited for developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and

“She dabbled in many different businesses,” said Dr. Tasha L.

After spending a July 4th holiday at the motel, she wrote, “On the

hair care products for Black women, thus making her the first

Youmans, Library Dean/Chief Librarian at Bethune-Cookman

Fourth of July, we sat here in this beautiful beach motel, which

recorded, self-made female millionaire.

University. “She saw a need; she established a business to meet

we have called ‘Welricha,’ facing the waters of the great Atlantic

Dr. Bethune was instrumental in the promotion of a Madame

Ocean on the one side and the north arm of the Indian River on

Walker’s beauty care line and in a letter to the beauty mogul,

the other.”

dated April 5, 1917, praised the benefits of the products on her

Bethune-Volusia Beach became a popular beach destination

own as well as her students’ hair and requested that one of her

for African-American families, annually drawing thousands

girls participate in Madame Walker’s beauty training course at

of visitors from all over the country and remained so until

her New York College.

segregation ended in the 1960s.

Today, lots that sold for as little as $590 in 1947 are now filled with multi-million-dollar homes.

She was also instrumental in the success of the aforementioned Engram Electric, contracting most of the electrical projects for Bethune-Cookman University with the company.

Closer to home, Dr. Bethune founded Bethune Mortuary in

Investments in others Throughout her life, Dr. Bethune saw promise in a myriad of Black business owners and invested in their endeavors

the 1940s. Operated by her son, Albert McLeod Bethune, with his wife serving as mortician, the funeral home proved to be a lucrative business for more than 25 years.

accordingly. Among these entrepreneurs was Sarah Breedlove,

that need.”

Community Recognition In honor of her many contributions to Daytona Beach, the country and especially the Black community, an 11-ft, white marble statue of Dr. Bethune, created by master sculptor Nilda Comas, will be erected at the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall later this year after making a stop in Daytona Beach.

Dr. Hiram Powell, interim president at Bethune-Cookman University, reflects on this momentous occasion and the impact the daughter of former slaves made not only on B-CU but also on the people of Daytona Beach and its surrounding communities: “There is a photo of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune hanging in my office, and every day, at the end of the workday, as I’m leaving, I turn and look at this photo. I ask myself, did I truly do all that I

better known as Madame C. J. Walker, who, like Dr. Bethune, was

can do today for this institution? If I cannot answer yes, I get back

born to previously enslaved sharecroppers. Madame Walker is

to work. That is the influence that Dr. Bethune has had on me, on

Being a son of Bethune-Cookman University and a part of this sacred campus for over 40 years, I’ve seen a lot. Comings, goings, challenges, wins, losses, strife, diversity, but most importantly, I’ve seen and felt a tremendous impact from the work of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. This impact wasn’t simply because she was a tremendous educator and a tremendous advocate for equality, she also had a tremendous drive to succeed. She was tenacious, she wouldn’t take no for an answer, she knew what she needed and she would unceasingly work to achieve that need until it was completed. Dr. Bethune had all of the ingredients of a successful entrepreneur.

Grit. Determination. Tenacity. Passion. Drive. As we reflect upon her tremendous impact on our local community, it’s important for us all to seek inspiration from her footprints. It is my hope that Dr. Bethune’s legacy will march on inside of all us, and as the statue of her likeness is installed in Statuary Hall, may we all take the time to reflect on our contributions to our youth, to our local community and to the world. May the spirit of Dr. Bethune live in all of our hearts, minds and souls.

– Dr. Hiram Powell, Interim-President

Bethune-Cookman University, on the Daytona Beach community and [on] the world. Her drive to change the world coupled with her unceasing passion to educate young African Americans and to live a life of service unto others is what lives inside of me and keeps me moving forward.

“As Dr. Bethune’s statue, on its journey to statuary hall in Washington DC, makes a stop in Daytona Beach, may we all be reminded of the tremendous responsibility that we all have to

Bethune-Cookman University staff members, Dr. Tasha L. Youmans, Library Dean/Chief Librarian; Mr. Thomas Jelneck, Director of Marketing and Communications; and Mrs. Linda Caldwell, writer, contributed to this article.

our youth, to our communities and to equality and diversity. We are humbled and grateful to be a part of this statuary project and may Dr. Bethune’s iconic presence continue to inspire us all and

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune with local Daytona Beach community leaders Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune at her desk

bring our communities closer together.”

She made a difference in people’s lives These are just a few examples of Dr. Bethune’s legacy. At the time of her death on May 18, 1955, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was considered one of the greatest Black women to have lived.

The Washington Post commented that “not only are her own people, but all of America, has been enriched and ennobled by her courageous, ebullient spirit.”

“She wasn’t just an average educator,” Dr. Youmans said.

“She really had power. She moved quietly, but she was a force. Dr. Bethune was recognized by everyone, not just the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and Marian Anderson at the launching of the SS Booker T Washington, a US Maritime Commission Liberty ship

| 8 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune after she received an honorary doctorate degree from Rollins College president Hamilton Holt

Black community, but the white community as well, as being somebody. She made a difference in many people’s lives.”

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in front of White Hall

AUGUST 2021 | 9 |

“The bone reconstruction segment works with standard implants and what I call the shoe store approach, where a large number of implants are sent to the operating room and the doctor intraoperatively finds the implant of best fit. Some doctors plan these surgeries on tracing paper and an X-ray to guesstimate which implant to use, but there’s still a lot of trial and error and a lot of waste due to inventory,” explained Toro.

“We digitize the whole experience. The surgeon can perform the surgery as many times as needed in a digital twin of the patient and then get the perfect implant and instruments for the procedure.”

Not only does this innovative technology allow for a better outcome, it’s streamlining the process for doctors.

“This is indeed personalized healthcare, some call it precision medicine. Using a digital surgery workflow reduces surgical times, which translates into a cost reduction, increase[d] surgeon accuracy and reduce[d] complications,” said Toro.

Excited by the innovative changes in his field over the past few decades, Dr. David Lloyd,

Implanting Innovation

by Danielle Anderson

E

stays abreast of the most cutting edge technology options for his patients at Indigo Dental in Dr. David Lloyd

Daytona Beach.

Knowing that a smile is worth a thousand

words, an appreciation for the relationship between artistry, materials science and healthcare fuels his passion to improve the

very student has heard the story of George Washington

University of Central Florida/Volusia County Business Incubator

and his wooden teeth. And while his set of dentures were

in Daytona Beach via the Soft Landing program, TECHFIT’s

actually made from a combination of lead, ivory, gold and

manufacturing operation found their own perfect fit at Embry-

adhesion and stronger, more life-like materials have allowed us to

even human teeth, the mythology around the Founding Father’s

Riddle Aeronautical University’s MicaPlex. With great success

restore health and function like never before,” said Dr. Lloyd.

dental work highlights how far technology and innovation have

over the past several years, TECHFIT is now in the latest stages of

advanced dentistry and led to the growth of an entire industry

obtaining ISO 13485 certification for the facility.

devoted to dental health.

One such company leading the way is TECHFIT Digital

“Business-wise, we have greatly strengthened our capabilities in Volusia County and have grown our team to seven people,” said

quality of life for each patient.

“Technology has revolutionized our profession. Advances in

Advances in the dental industry have impacted every aspect of his practice, from how he communicates with his patients, colleagues and dental labs, to planning and performing procedures.

“The technology we use in our office serves to improve the

Surgery, and the technology is a game changer according to founder

Toro, who has active distribution in six countries to date. He said

quality, safety and efficiency of care. As a business strategy, we look

Mauricio Toro.

the company recently received clearance from the U.S. Food and

for ways to improve our patients’ experience and technology is a

Drug Administration for their mandibular reconstruction solutions,

part of that,” he said, citing an easily relatable example.

Focusing on musculoskeletal issues, the Colombia-based company offers custom

which allows the company to begin selling its products in the

orthopedic 3D medical devices, along with

United States.

a product line of 3D custom cranial and Mauricio Toro

maxillofacial reconstructive device options.

Expanding to the United States through the

| 10 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

TECHFIT’s innovative approach to healthcare goes beyond the

“We use a computer assisted design and manufacturing system called CEREC. Instead of making traditional impressions with that goopy stuff in a tray that always seems to run down your

standard operating procedures. It’s customized healthcare for each

throat, we make a digital scan of your teeth with a small camera.

individual patient.

The data is used to create a 3D model of your teeth as well as a

AUGUST 2021 | 11 |

the cost of implementation today while maintaining the highest quality standards,” he said.

“Today more than 22.3 million bone reconstruction procedures in the craniomaxillofacial, orthopedic, and thoracic segments are performed each year. All of these surgeries are likely to have improved outcomes with better digital planning and personalized medical devices. We want to make custom the new standard and make this improved technology accessible to as many patients as possible around the world,” said Toro.

Mark Your Calendar: TECHFIT will host the the 7th Global Digital Surgery Meeting in Daytona Beach this October.

The conference will bring together over 200 of the world’s best reconstructive surgeons, top-class researchers, and engineers to create the surgical tools of the future and train young surgeons on better uses of the technology. TECHFIT will also be launching a point of care system where smaller

Danielle Anderson has worked in the public relations and media industry for a decade.

She started her career as a reporter for Flagler Broadcasting where she discovered her passion for telling the stories of communities in Florida.

virtual crown, bridge or other restorations. The restoration is then

prosthesis can be made in advance and we have much more

milled from a special type of porcelain. We do all of this in a single

confidence that it will fit and appear exactly as we intended. It is a

visit in our office, saving the patient and us time and avoiding the

competitive and rapidly advancing field. I’m excited to learn more

inconvenience of a second visit,” Lloyd said.

about TECHFIT’s latest innovations.”

Lloyd says TECHFIT is right on target by providing 3D printed

TECHFIT will host the 7th Global Digital Surgery Meeting in

the painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) defects to midface

Daytona Beach in October. The conference will bring together

reconstruction and reconstructive bone grafts.

more than 200 of the world’s best reconstructive surgeons, topfuture and train young surgeons on better uses of the technology

now manipulate components in the virtual realm and using 3D

according to Toro.

maintaining the highest quality standards.

“TECHFIT will also be launching a point of care system where

those components more precisely,” he said. “This can make the

smaller hospitals and ambulatory care centers can access 3D

actual surgery faster and more predictable. In many cases the

printing and 3D surgical planning technologies for a fraction of

| 12 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

a fraction of the cost of implementation today while

class researchers and engineers to create the surgical tools of the

supported dental reconstruction is a game changer. We can printing, create custom guides that allow us to select and place

printing and 3D surgical planning technologies for

Preparing to showcase the latest innovative technology,

custom plates or implants, addressing a range of issues from

“The ability to plan and visualize the final outcome of implant

hospitals and ambulatory care centers can access 3D

AUGUST 2021 | 13 |

BETHUNE’S LEGACY FUELS TODAY’S ENTREPRENEURS

A

thought that a Black woman in the era of the 1930-1950s would

never any doubt that I would attend college. It was my

dare to boldly advocate for better healthcare services for Black

parents’ desire that I attend a college with a Christian

children or for voting and women’s rights or be a political activist?

Who could have fathomed that such a woman could be an

Cookman College (B-CC), now Bethune-Cookman University, a

advisor to a sitting President of the United States, be the co-

United Methodist Church supported institution of higher learning,

founder of the United Negro College Fund or fight for women to

satisfied my parents. Amongst African Americans, Dr. Mary

be given opportunities to join the military?

From my first day on the campus of B-CC, the college’s

Dr. Bethune had the audacity to believe that African American boys and girls should have the opportunity to be educated, just

mantra “Enter to Learn and Depart to Serve” was ever-present. As

like other children that didn’t look like them, because she knew

students we knew that this phrase was to be our guiding principle

education developed the head, the heart and the hand.

and we were encouraged to believe we could do anything we prepared ourselves to accomplish

The unveiling of the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune statues, both in Daytona Beach and in the National Statuary Hall in the U.S.

I pursued a degree in business. This area of study gave me

Capitol, will be dynamic, unifying and historic, not only for the

the option to work in the business sector, teach business subjects

greater Daytona Beach community but also for Florida and the

or both. Taking a cue from the college’s founder, I believed that if

United States.

Mary Mcleod Bethune could accomplish what she did, not only as

As a member of the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Statuary

an educator and activist but as an entrepreneur and innovator in a

Fund, Inc. Board of Directors, I have been inspired to continue

time of segregation and racism, certainly I could achieve my goals.

to make a positive impact wherever I can. Not only have we

In 1998, along with my son, Vince Carter, I put my faith in the abilities my college experience instilled in me and the example set by Dr. Bethune to start a not-for-profit organization called the Embassy of Hope Foundation. Dr. Bethune’s legacy also informed my decision to open a restaurant in Daytona Beach with my son. Any hurdles or setbacks I encountered paled in comparison to the challenges she faced. And following her example to engage powerful people with her efforts, I found there were many people in the area willing to help me achieve my entrepreneurial goals.

Dr. Bethune was an innovator.

raised the necessary funds for the marble statue to be unveiled in Washington, D.C., but we also continued to dream big and have done the work for a bronze statue to be presented in the Riverfront Esplanade Park in downtown Daytona Beach, where Mother Mary will face westward as if to watch over her beloved Bethune-Cookman University.

It is my hope that as we revisit the accomplishments of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, it will be a catalyst to spur unity in this country, and even in the world.

She made it her life’s work to bring people together in many genres.

As one of “Mary’s Babies,” I hope

She thought outside of the box and

that I have made her proud for I have

did not accept the status quo. She

attempted to serve my community

was a woman of great insight and

by sharing my resources -- time,

seemed to ask why not instead

knowledge, experiences and money

of why. Who would have ever

-- where I saw there was a need. Dr.

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impact in this country, especially this greater Daytona Beach

Lovett, as she sought advice from Dr. Bethune on compiling her

community. The passion to make a positive difference; making a

educational scrapbook:

community a better place is the example that has been left for us to follow. ourselves and love others, all others. All people deserve an

s a youngster growing up in Miami, Florida there was

McLeod Bethune was revered.

Bethune penned (October 13, 1952) to a student, Suzzanne Rose

From my viewpoint, we, all of us, must learn to love. Love

by Dr. Michelle Carter

tie. Though I practice the Episcopal faith, attending Bethune-

Bethune was not a wealthy woman, but she made a tremendous

opportunity to be educated, and all people should be afforded healthcare. If people learn to love, are educated and are in good health, the sky’s the limit.

I leave you with a portion of a letter that Mary McLeod

Dr. Michelle V. Carter, Executive Director of Vince Carter’s Embassy of Hope Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of Visions in Flight, Inc., holds an honorary doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from Bethune-Cookman University, a Master of Science in Administration and Supervision from Nova University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Bethune-Cookman University.

Lord, keep me working, keep me fit At windows I do not want to sit Watching my fellows hurrying by Let me stay busy ‘till I die.

Grant me strength and breath and will Some useful niche in life to fill; A need to serve, a task to do, Let me each morning arise anew Eager and glad that I can bear My portion of the morning’s care.

Lord, I do not want to sit about Broken and worn and all tired out, Afraid of rain and wind and cold, Let me stay busy when I am old.

Although I walk at a slower pace, Still let me meet life, face to face.

This is my prayer, as time goes by, Lord, keep me busy till I die.

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AUGUST 2021 | 15 |

Journey to Statuary Hall

1

5

From Marble to Masterpiece

First Steps

Artist Nilda Comas is the first minority Master Sculptor creating a statue for the National Statuary Hall Collection. Comas began with intensive research at the Congressional Archives, the State of Florida Archives and Bethune-Cookman University. Using historic photos of Mary Mcleod Bethune, Comas started with the creation of maquettes – models of the statue – made in clay. Included in the statue is the pedestal which will carry a quote from Mary Mcleod Bethune: “Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it may be a diamond in the rough.”

In March of 2016, Gov. Rick Scott signed a law to replace the statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, which had been donated to the U.S. Capitol for display in Statuary Hall in 1922, with a new “Great Floridian.”

The search for a new sculpture was conducted by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, which reviewed 3,585 submissions. The list was narrowed to 130 eligible names, including Mary Mcleod Bethune.

Comas was selected after a national search and was chosen from a field of 1,600 artists. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the New York Academy and studied at the Accademia di Belli Arte in Carrara, Italy. Her works are on display in private and public collections around the world.

Dr. Bethune received 1,237 votes, easily outpacing the second-place subject who received 450 votes.

The last step before the statue was shipped to the United States was a blessing ceremony, a tradition for all statues before they leave the city of Pietrasanta.

The selection of Dr. Bethune continues her legacy of accomplishment and she will be the first African-American to represent a state in Statuary Hall, the first African American woman to represent a state and the first and only statue in the U.S. Capitol dressed in academia cap and gown.

4 3 2

6 Fundraising Effort

Statuary Hall Occupying the space originally used as the chamber for the House of Representatives, the National Statuary Hall was created after Congress invited each of the states to contribute two statues of prominent citizens for permanent display. Initially all of the contributed statues were housed in the space, as the collection grew more space was needed. In 1933 Congress authorized the display of the statues throughout the Capitol.

Today, National Statuary Hall is one of the most popular rooms in the U.S. Capitol Building, with thousands of visitors passing through every day. It also continues to be used for ceremonial occasions and special events are held there, including activities honoring foreign dignitaries and presidential luncheons.

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The Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune Statuary Fund, Inc. was formed in 2018 to raise private funds for the project. The Board of Directors of the Fund include Nancy Lohman, president; Bob Lloyd, secretary; Mary Greenlees, treasurer; Jennifer Adams, Jim Cameron, Michelle Carter, Brent Chrite, Joyce Cusak, Kathy Crotty, Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, Sherri Lloyd, Nellie Lupoli, Volusia County Councilwoman Billie Wheeler, ex-officio members Nilda Comes and Ashley Stoekel and recording secretary Danielle Garrett.

In addition to raising funds for the U.S. Capitol statue, the Board expanded the fundraising effort to include an additional $150,000 for placement of a bronze statue of Mary Mcleod Bethune in Riverfront Esplanade Park in downtown Daytona Beach.

Michelangelo’s Gift Cut from the Italian Alps and quarries above Pietrasanta, Italy, the piece of marble used by artist Nilda Comas represents the largest – and last – piece of statuary marble from the quarry.

The marble from the quarries is the same used by Michelangelo to create his famous statue of David. It is said Michelangelo himself opened the caves in the mountains that had been abandoned by the ancient Romans to find the marble.

The Pride of Florida Sponsored by

The finished statue will be on display at the News-Journal Center before departing for permanent placement in Statuary Hall. The Mary Mcleod Bethune statue will take the place of Dr. Richard Gorrie in National Statuary Hall. Gorrie’s statue will move downstairs into the Hall of Columns, taking the place of the statue of General Edmund Kirby Smith. That statue will return to Florida for future determination of public display.

AUGUST 2021 | 17 |

RACI NG TO THE F UT UR E NASCAR Embraces Innovation as a Key to Long-Term Success

by Aaron London

D

riving around in circles seems like a simple enough task, but for officials at NASCAR there are always new ways to get to the checkered flag. And that means innovation.

In fact, it can be argued that the very creation of the National Association for Stock Car

Auto Racing was itself an innovation.

While people have been racing automobiles since soon after the first vehicles rolled off the assembly line, the meeting convened by Bill France Sr. on Dec. 14, 1947 at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach was an innovation in the sports world. And it would be the first of many.

“Innovation is key to NASCAR’s success, and most importantly, its continued growth,” said Ben Kennedy, senior vice president for strategic development at the auto racing organization and grandson of Bill France Sr. “Engaging with our fans is the most important part of the business. Whether it’s innovations from our digital and social platforms or from unique camera angles and technology used by our broadcast partners or technological innovation in our race cars to enhance the racing on the track, the goal is the same: bring our fans closer to our drivers and the action. Innovation is the key to engagement.”

Ben Kennedy

According to information provided by NASCAR’s communications office, the digital media platform created by the organization created a completely new experience for fans, providing a different lens into the sport. With in-car cameras, a mobile app and the ability for fans to track all manner of data from the cars, NASCAR has emerged as a market leader in leveraging data from the playing field and putting it in the hands of fans.

“NASCAR has truly embraced social and digital media and it has evolved considerably

| 18 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2021 | 19 |

adorning the cars on the track and has become part of the fabric of

fans with our drivers and the entire sport like never before.”

the sport.

Kennedy said NASCAR has tested 360 cameras in the race

Any discussion of innovation in auto racing ultimately comes

cars to give fans the feeling of being in a car going 200 miles per

back to the machines and NASCAR is a leader in that area as well.

hour mere inches from other cars and to hear the action behind the

The organization’s Next Gen car is designed not only to improve

racing as well.

the quality of racing but also to engage fans even more with the

“We offer fans the ability to listen in to the conversations the drivers are having with their crew chiefs and spotters,” he

sport.

“In working with our manufacturing partners – Chevrolet,

said. “Using innovation to give fans behind-the-curtain access is

Ford and Toyota – it was vitally important that we enhanced

certainly unique to NASCAR.”

the product relevance of the Next Gen car,” Kennedy said. “The

The embrace of media technology also led to the creation of

technical components of the car are similar to what you see on the

esports partnerships that bring NASCAR to a new generation of

showroom floor, but just as important were the fan-engagement

fans. The company said the gaming connection proved especially

innovations in the car, including the ability to add in-car cameras in

important during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic by filling

every vehicle and the potential to pull fan-facing data off the car.”

a programming gap for the sport and was a “ray of light” for the industry as a whole that kept fans engaged and created an environment for sponsors.

That meant a lot for fans, to be sure, but was important to NASCAR as well.

“The 2020 season was certainly a special one for NASCAR and

That commitment to innovative thinking not only has resonated with fans but also has put NASCAR in the spotlight.

Kennedy said NASCAR was named Sports League of the Year by Sports Business Journal and SportsTechie and said if the company didn’t embrace innovation and thinking about things success. And keeping that momentum going for the future is one of

being innovative in its thinking,” Kennedy said. “The pandemic

the keys to continued success. fan base with an emphasis on getting younger and more diverse,”

to competition, the first to welcome fans back and the first to

Kennedy said. “We just announced All-Pro running back Alvin

complete a full season.”

Kamara as NASCAR’s first-ever Growth & Engagement advisor

featuring the sport’s most popular stars “filled the void” when the country was locked down.

“This series shattered TV broadcast records for esports with six events rating as the highest-rated esports TV programs of all time,”

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“We’re innovating in how we’re creating new ways to grow the

able to get through it and become the first major sport to return

Kennedy said the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series

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differently, they never would have been able to achieve that

one that would not have happened without our entire industry shut the country down, but with innovative thinking, we were

DIGITAL LIVE!

over the past decade,” Kennedy said. “The creativity has engaged

and had him in the building to talk engagement strategies and brainstorm new ideas.”

With an innovative approach to growing all facets of the sport in a competitive market, NASCAR is poised to make a hard run toward continued success.

he said.

The relationship with sponsors is another area where NASCAR not only looked for innovative ideas but also led the way for other sport leagues.

While today you can see advertising and sponsorship on the jerseys of soccer teams, professional golfers and other sports stars, the sports marketing innovation that led the way came

Aaron London is a reporter and columnist who has covered business and economics for 27 years. He has worked for newspapers in Ohio and Florida and is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Daytona State College.

from NASCAR with the wide variety of sponsor labels and logos

| 20 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

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INNOVATION NATION C r e at ive E n g a g e m e nt a K e y t o B u s i n e s s S u c c e s s

L

by Aaron London

inguistically speaking, the word “innovation” means “introduce as new” from the Latin word innovare. But practically speaking, it means so much more.

In today’s business landscape, innovation is a buzzword that finds its way into corporate mission statements, motivational speeches as well as marketing and advertising materials.

But for entrepreneurs, startups and even established companies, it is the foundation upon which business success is built.

“If we think of entrepreneurship as quickly scaling, worldchanging companies, innovation is quite necessary,” said Kevin Taylor, assistant professor of entrepreneurship at Stetson University in DeLand. “It is how new ventures gain leverage and advantage over existing dinosaurs.”

The starting point is being able to see problems as opportunities and figuring out new Dr. Kevin Taylor ways to address those issues.

“Innovation requires first understanding what problems people and your company [are] facing,” Taylor said. “Once a problem is identified, you must understand how the problem is being solved currently. Once you understand how people currently deal with the problem, you can brainstorm alternatives.”

While the idea of innovation has been around for a long time, it wasn’t until the 19th century, during the period of the Second Industrial Revolution, that it became associated with science and industry. But even then, innovation was more commonly associated with the idea of invention and it was not widely used.

All that changed in the 1960s and it has seen a sharp rise in usage over the past four decades.

In fact, over the last 50 years the growth in technology has forced companies to embrace innovation to meet the demands of consumers.

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of combining things can improve our lives by making things faster, cheaper, safer, more efficient or more useful.”

That need for innovative approaches extends to science and technology as well as business.

“In order to do research, you absolutely have Dr. Stephanie to be innovative because you are endeavoring to Miller discover, design and make something new,” she said. “It’s easy to replicate, it is hard to innovate.”

Miller said an important foundation for innovation is collaboration, which is a key part of ERAU’s Research Park effort.

“Innovation requires creativity because you are setting out into the unknown,” she said. “We help foster these by having the dynamic mix of university researchers, students, startups and established companies. We make sure to connect those working in similar fields, on similar problems or serving the same customers.

They all see and approach a problem differently. They may have different expectations and goals, but those varying viewpoints can often lead to unexpected outcomes.”

Taylor said business owners can sharpen their “innovative muscle” by making a conscious effort to look for opportunities in the day-to-day activities of running a conscious effort to focus on challenges.

“Creativity is a process that can be practiced and strengthened,” he said. “Better creativity can lead to generating more ideas and more unexpected ideas. The best way to start is to keep an idea notebook and practice identifying problems throughout your day.”

Taylor said brainstorming ideas to solve problems – and even taking a few minutes every day to write down as many ideas as you can – is a good place to start.

“Finally, take all the ideas and use your common sense and logic to filter to the top the best two to three ideas and spend time on cultivating those ideas,” he said.

“Grow or die” has been a standard mantra in the business world for a long time. But these days the watchword just might be “innovate or die.”

Aaron London is a reporter and columnist who has covered business and economics for 27 years. He has worked for newspapers in Ohio and Florida and is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Daytona State College.

According to an article from Northeastern University touting the school’s graduate program in innovation titled “The Importance of Innovation in Business,” innovation not only helps businesses grow, it keeps them relevant and enables them to differentiate themselves from other organizations.

The paper cites a survey that found nearly 80% of the business executives responding said innovation ranked in the top three initiatives of their companies and that focus on innovation is an important factor in business growth and success.

But merely focusing on innovation as an initiative isn’t enough. Coming up with an idea for a longer lasting lightbulb or game-changing app is only part of the innovation process.

“Innovation is the practice of successfully implementing new ideas, whereas creativity is the process of generating new ideas,” Taylor said. “Ideas are not necessarily useful. Check the Patent Office and you will see examples of thousands of useless ideas.”

Taking a good idea from thought to action – to make it truly innovative – requires the application of that urge to innovate that drives entrepreneurs and business owners and fosters success.

“Good ideas require someone to recognize that the idea could be useful,” Taylor said. “Useful ideas could revolve around how to use a new technology to solve a customer problem, how to find customers more cost-effectively or even how to remove steps in a production process, making it cheaper and more profitable.”

And while talk of innovation is usually viewed through a commercial lens, the idea has broader implications for society at large.

For Stephanie Miller, executive director of Technology Transfer and Research Park Initiatives at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, innovation is not only important for business success, but for the larger community.

“On a grand scale, innovation leads to the advancement of civilization,” she said. “A new method, new product or new way

AUGUST 2021 | 23 |

Innovation at Kingspan

Makes ‘Planet Passionate’ Possible

by Danielle Anderson

W

hen, in 1965, Eugene and Brandon Murtagh launched their engineering and contracting firm with the manufacture of agricultural trailers behind the family pub in Kingscourt, Ireland, they made two things a priority –

quality and innovation.

Today, this family-led business, known as Kingspan, manufactures everything

from commercial infrastructure products, insulation and duct work to insulated metal panels, wastewater treatment systems and translucent roof and wall assemblies –– many of the “building blocks” required for commercial infrastructure. And they have

grown to 166 manufacturing facilities in 70 countries with 2020 revenue of nearly £5 billion.

Since joining the company in 1993, Eugene’s son Gene Murtagh has not only continued to expand the Kingspan Group brand through a diversified portfolio of product lines while serving

year ahead of the European Union’s required deadline.

Setting an ambitious goal for 2030, Kingspan is aiming for a net zero emissions through their Planet Passionate initiative, focusing on four key elements: circularity, energy, carbon and water.

When launching the project in December 2019, Kingspan CEO

as CEO of one of Ireland’s top companies since 2005, he’s made

Gene Murtagh said, “Climate change is the single most important

leaving the world better than he found it, a hallmark initiative of

issue facing the world today and our most urgent priority. At

the company.

Kingspan, we are committed to driving a more sustainable

Not the first of the Murtagh family to do so, Kingspan’s

approach to our business in response to these issues. Energy

innovative manufacturing solutions ensured they were ahead of

conservation has always been at the core of our products and

their time throughout the 1980s and 90s when climate change and

how we run our business. Through Planet Passionate we will

pollution first emerged as a global issue.

reduce carbon and energy in both our manufacturing processes

Ahead of the curve, in 1993, Kingspan’s insulation became

and products and continue our relentless pursuit of low-carbon

the first to be produced chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) free, two

buildings that deliver more performance and value, with clear

years ahead of schedule, and in 2003, the insulation became

targets to strive for by 2030.”

hydroclorofluorocarbon (also known as greenhouse gas) free, a

Working on the goals of tomorrow through the innovation of

Kingspan Production Staff, DeLand Florida

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AUGUST 2021 | 25 |

“The foam itself we found a local supplier in Florida that’s

One of our targets for Planet Passionate is zero waste to landfill. Looking at it from last year, we’ve cut our waste to the landfill by over 50 percent just in 2021.” today is Brent Trenga, the Director of Sustainability for Kingspan

Planet Passionate consists of 12 ambitious targets focusing on four key areas: energy, carbon, circularity and water. Commitments by 2030 include:

Insulated Panels North America.

Kingspan operations directly from renewable energy, with a minimum of 20% of this energy generated on manufacturing sites

Carbon: achieving net zero carbon manufacturing and a 50% reduction in product C0 2

Among those in the Kingspan Group

Brent Trenga

Acquired from Metecno, Inc. in 2008, as

Water: harvesting 100 million

make the investments needed to become green businesses as well.

Learning and sharing best practices come from research and Kingspan’s IKON Innovation Center, located in Dublin, Ireland,

“I think the targets that we’ve set through Planet Passionate,

Danielle Anderson has worked in the public relations and media industry for a decade.

She started her career as a reporter for Flagler Broadcasting where she discovered her passion for telling the stories of communities in Florida.

are showing that companies of great scale, can pivot and drive

Panels.

Adapting and implementing the goals of Planet Passionate throughout the last year and a half, Trenga is proud to announce a significant reduction in waste heading to the landfill from the DeLand facility.

“One of our targets for Planet Passionate is zero-waste to

and is now being rolled out to the facilities in Toronto, Ontario; Modesto, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Langley, British Columbia, as well.

“We have nine waste streams that come out of our facility and allow each one of those to be recycled, we think we’ll achieve much higher than 50 percent this year and are very much on track to becoming a zero-waste-to-landfill company globally,” he said. “We are working with some local suppliers, working with our existing waste haulers and utilizing better supply chain

Kingspan’s water usage from

engagement.”

Even scrap materials like steel and foam are being repurposed or upcycled for other uses.

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And in turn, this will make us all Project Passionate.

became the North American headquarters for Kingspan Insulated

liters (26 million gallons) of rainwater

mindset, it’s a culture shift that will lead other major companies to

profitable and dynamic in the way it changes and adapts.”

Ohio, Connecticut and California, the DeLand, Florida, location

The project was successfully piloted at the DeLand facility

across all sites

Planet Passionate promise, and he knows it’s more than just a

in itself shows that construction and manufacturing can be both

part of a North American expansion that included facilities in

landfill by over 50 percent just in 2021,” said Trenga.

company waste-to-landfill

Becoming a zero-waste facility is just one benchmark of the

healthy, green, high-performance, sustainable buildings.

partners

insulation products plus, zero

can implement it at every single one of our locations. I think that

impact generating renewable energy can have toward creating

making a significant contribution to meet

landfill. Looking at it from last year, we’ve cut our waste to the

billion PET bottles annually into

exterior tile,” said Trenga. “Some great strides have been made.”

the manufacturing of energy efficient building materials and the

intensity from primary supply

Circularity: upcycling of 1

strategically said this is something we need to do and we know we

raw materials in products. IKON also researches and executes

now ‘a transformational shift’ in the industry.

the goals is the DeLand, Florida, Kingspan

Energy: powering 60% of all

taking the foam and grinding it up and using it in countertops and

demonstrates how circularity works – the recycle and reuse of

Driving change, he calls what’s happening

Insulated Panels – North America facility.

this kind of change across the industry,” shared Trenga. “We’ve

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STOKING THE FIRES OF INNOVATION

by Rear Adm. Paul Sohl (USN Ret) In my experience, innovation is not so much a system, or a set

of procedures, or even the result of research. Rather, when I arrived in this region, what stood out to me was how innovation had been adopted as a mindset. If you’ve ever heard someone say “yes,

and” then you know what I mean. This seemingly simple phrase

holds much deeper meaning. It enables us to look beyond what’s immediately in front of us — the next product launch, the next

quarter, the next fiscal year — and look out at the horizon at what is happening around us. It also puts us in the mindset of building upon great ideas and imagining the possibilities, rather than focusing on what’s standing in our way.

For example, when two organizations that would not

ordinarily be considered partners push past their natural inter-

I

nnovation can be a funny thing. Many ventures begin with a

burning desire to innovate and find new ways to make things better. But once the business is up and running, it can become

difficult to maintain that drive. Simply keeping the proverbial train on the tracks can take focus away from looking at ways to make

things better. It’s easy to settle into a routine of spending too much time working in the business and not enough time working on the business.

For many, the events of the past year and a half created a need

to innovate in order to survive. We all had to adapt and overcome a whole host of challenges at a wildly accelerated pace. Keeping the train on the tracks and stoking the fire of innovation were intertwined.

As we start to think about what the future looks like from here,

we have an opportunity to continue learning and looking for new

ways to operate instead of falling back into the ways of before. Since

joining the Florida High Tech Corridor Council as CEO last year, my charge has been to honor our 25-year legacy while challenging the status quo every day. I encourage you to do the same.

industry boundaries to help each other, it often leads to amazing breakthroughs. This intentional way to think about innovation

leads to the approach that I am convinced will continue to drive

innovation in Central Florida and continue our region’s growth as a high-tech hub.

That’s our mission at the Florida High Tech Corridor Council:

goals of each organization. Sometimes, the best way to connect

Help us develop next-generation STEM talent as a volunteer with

with us is to connect with the organizations we support. For

stemCONNECT. Innovation cannot continue without the right talent

organizations we collaborate with to encourage shared values

students to pursue in-demand STEM careers by connecting them

example, Team Volusia is one of the many economic development and a culture of innovation across all 23 counties. We also partner

with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the areas of student entrepreneurship and business incubation and maintain great relationships with community leaders at Bethune-Cookman

University, Daytona State College, and the City of Ormond Beach,

in place. stemCONNECT inspires middle school and high school

with professionals in the field. With online video conferencing tools, subject-matter experts from across the region offer presentations

and tours of their workplaces to teach students how their classroom lessons could lead to high tech career opportunities in Florida.

As the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention.

just to name a few. If you connect with them, you connect with us.

Over the past year and a half, crisis has become the mother of

programs of our own, which emerged in areas where we saw a gap

learn from it AND build on what we’ve learned to move forward

Third, The Corridor Council also offers a few signature

in our region’s cycle of innovation and made an investment based on the potential for new outcomes:

innovation. Don’t take the experience for granted. YES, let’s together.

If you are technology-focused business with intellectual

property or the desire to conduct research and would like to partner with one of our world-class universities, explore our Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP). The MGRP fosters applied

research between high tech businesses and faculty and graduate

students from the University of Central Florida, the University of

South Florida, and the University of Florida. Not only does it help

to augment companies’ R&D budgets and bring products to market, but it also supports the development of student researchers who may work full-time with the industry partner after graduation.

Paul Sohl is CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida, created to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and innovation – and the workforce to support it – in a 23-county region. Sohl joined The Corridor Council in June 2020, following more than three decades of service in the U.S. Navy as an F/A-18 Hornet pilot, test pilot and acquisition professional. Sohl holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Stanford University.

to attract and grow high tech businesses and workforce throughout our 23-county region, including Volusia and Flagler Counties.

No other organization in Florida offers the same unique regional perspective, and throughout our 25 years, it has become our greatest asset in facilitating collaborations between unlikely partners in academia, industry and economic development.

In fact, beyond adopting the innovative, “yes, and” mindset,

if there were one thing I would tell the entrepreneurial leaders

who want to advance our region’s economic diversification and prosperity, it would be to seek higher-level perspectives. Look

beyond your immediate vantage point. Whether for partnership,

funding or simply inspiration, I guarantee you will find something useful to model in your own community.

Second, I would urge you to connect with us. Our team is

often asked, “How can I connect with The Corridor?” And our

response is largely dependent upon the unique characteristics and

| 28 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2021 | 29 |

COMMUNITY SERVICE MEANS GOOD BUSINESS Homes Bring Hope gathers to celebrate a new homeowner, Petra Smiley.

A volunteer leading by example. one wrapper at a time.

Full trash bags, clean roads and smiles all around. The Adopt a Road program is more than just cleaning up litter.

Volunteers doing their part to keep Volusia Beautiful.

| 30 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

A

H

ow does your community look?

Chances are, it needs help with litter control!

With the amount of trash littered on the roadside every day, individual involvement is becoming increasingly important.

Find out how you, your business or your organization can help keep Volusia beautiful by volunteering to adopt a road!

The Volusia County Adopt a Road Program is a litter reduction campaign designed to remove litter and debris from Volusia County roads and improve the quality of the environment. Besides presenting a poor appearance, litter and trash can cause traffic hazards and affect drainage. Volunteer involvement is increasingly beneficial in efforts to keep Volusia beautiful. This program establishes a partnership among volunteers, businesses, organizations and Volusia County Public Works by working together in litter control efforts along roadways.

Some of the notable businesses that participate include Davita Labs and Highland Park Fish Camp.

The program is a way to provide community service, demonstrate community pride, and make a positive statement for a clean and attractive community. It has proven highly effective in demonstrating personal responsibility and changing attitudes regarding littering.

Who can adopt?

Any local community organization, school group or business group, as well as individuals 18 and older may adopt a road.

Guidelines for adoption include an agreement to clean at least one mile or the entire length of the adopted road’s right of way four times a year for at least two years.

The Volusia County Adopt a Road Program owes its popularity and success to its many dedicated volunteers. By working together, we build a sense of community pride, leading to cleaner and safer places to live. When we build a sense of community, we are building a better tomorrow.

The Road and Bridge Division maintains 1,083.5 miles of roadways in the unincorporated area of Volusia County. We currently have 71.3 miles of county-maintained roads adopted.

To learn more about how to Adopt a Road, visit volusia.org/adopt-a-road.

Petra Smiley, Homes Bring Hope’s first client.

Homes Bring Hope completes the sale of it’s first home.

new organization has been formed to guide people who may be stuck in the cycle of generational poverty, keeping them from being able to buy a home of their own.

Generational poverty – poverty that prevails from one generation to the next – can keep generation after generation paying rent and keeping homeownership out of reach. Homes Bring Hope is a forum for collaboration of community leaders, businesses, organizations and philanthropists who work to help hard-working people qualify for homeownership and guide them through the complexities of buying a home of their own.

The organization was founded by community and business leader Forough Hosseini, who is well known for her efforts in support of students who may be dealing with homelessness and food insecurity. Her other organizations, Food Brings Hope and VCan have helped thousands of students by providing stability, clearing the way for them to achieve their full potential. She has been leading these efforts for nearly fifteen years.

Homes Bring Hope works with homebuilders, remodelers, real estate professionals, surveyors, governments, non-profit organizations and others to guide clients to home ownership. Collaborators work to hammer down costs typically associated with the homebuying process. Along the way, clients are briefed on the challenges – and joys – of homeownership, so there are no surprises.

Homes are sold to clients at cost. In some instances, home mortgage payments could come in lower than the rent clients had been paying.

Homes Bring Hope already has completed the sale of its first home and has two more closings scheduled for this summer, a rapid start on its lofty goal of completing twelve sales in its first twelve months of operation.

Homeownership opens the door for homeowners to build home equity and generate wealth. This is cited by the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative as the best way to break the cycle of generational poverty.

If you would like your organization featured in Community Service Means Good Business, please send an email to Editor@evolvemagazineflorida.com.

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AUGUST 2021 | 31 |

Testing for

INNOVATION DO YOU REALLY INNOVATE?

Aspire

Choose

Discover

Evolve

Do you regard innovation-led growth as critical, and do you have cascaded targets that reflect this?

Do you invest in a coherent, time- and riskbalanced portfolio of initiatives with sufficient resources to win?

Do you have differentiated business, market, and technology insights that translate into winning value propositions?

Do you create new business models that provide defensible and scalable profit sources?

Accelerate

Scale

Extend

Mobilize

Do you beat the competition by developing and launching innovations quickly and effectively?

Do you launch innovations at the right scale in the relevant markets and segments?

Do you win by creating and capitalizing on external networks?

Are your people motivated, rewarded, and organized to innovate repeatedly?

The Eight Essentials of Innovation was originally published in the McKinsey Quarterly, by McKinsey principals, Marc de Jong, Nathan Marston, and Erik Roth. | 32 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

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