Event Speakers

Mr. James Barlow of NCIIA
James Barlow has worked in the university entrepreneurship space for seven years and has been commercial advisor or commercial director for sixteen start-ups as well as consulting internationally on start-up strategy, enterprise education and training. Prior to working in higher education, James was a performance coach, motivational speaker and strategy consultant for FTSE-listed companies and also worked in the pharmaceutical industry in sales and sales management. He earned his BSc Honours Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Kent. James is currently the Program Manager for Outreach at NCIIA.

Mr. Jim Corman of Auburn University
Mr. Corman is an Instructor and Executive in Residence with the Management department in the College of Business. He has been teaching entrepreneurship at Auburn for more than 3 years. Prior to teaching, Mr. Corman had a successful 33 year career as an entrepreneur. During that period, 4 of the companies founded by Corman were sold to larger publicly traded companies. In addition to owning and growing his own companies, Mr. Corman has been an angel investor in approximately 40 early stage companies and has served as an advisor to a large venture capital firm. Mr. Corman graduated with a BS in Finance from Auburn University in 1974 and an MBA from the University of Texas in 1977.

Mr. Charles T. Ludwig of CytoViva
Chuck Ludwig is the President of CytoViva, Inc, (Division of Aetos Technologies, Inc.) a biotechnology firm developing imaging technologies for nanoscale investigations in nanomedicine-targeted drug delivery, pathogen detection and nanomaterials development. He was one of the founders of CytoViva's parent company, Aetos Technologies Inc., a private firm formed at Auburn University to commercialize academic technologies. The Aetos business model is a turnkey commercialization approach that identifies high value technologies, raises private equity, builds and markets the technology then finds strategic partners as part of the exit strategy. Following graduation from Purdue University with Chemistry, Chem Eng. and MBA degrees, Chuck worked for Jack Welch at GE's highly visible Plastics Division in various business and technology management capacities. Since that time he has served in leadership roles: VP of Great Lakes Chemicals-W. Lafayette, IN; president of GIL Technologies-Memphis; board member of Alpha-Owens Corning Co.-Memphis; and president/founder of Avistis Technologies-Cincinnati.

Mr. Steve Goldsby of Integrated Computer Solutions, Inc., Montgomery, AL
Mr. Goldsby built ICS, Inc. as a new startup in 1997 and grew the company from $0 to $8.5 million revenue (1 to 85 employees) organically with no external capital or leverage. The company competes and regularly wins against multi-billion dollar competing conglomerates for business contracts with commercial enterprise, state and federal government. Mr Goldsby is recognized as a driving force within the organization and community, serving on several board positions in the community. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Goldsby conceived, incorporated and grew ICS, Inc. variously performing all functions from HR to Finance to Consultant and beyond. As revenue, profits and organizational needs warranted, invested in high performing executives to continue growing the organization. Sets vision and strategy for continued growth and differentiation as an employer and consulting firm. Positions the organization to compete effectively in the large commercial enterprise, state and federal government market segments. Maintains Top Secret security clearance and regularly consults on classified projects.

Mr. Jeff Trotman of Westglenn Software
Jeff Trotman is the Founder and President of Westglenn Software, a software development firm in Birmingham, AL. Although primarily a consulting firm, Westglenn has authored several products including SessionBridge, a development utility program featured in MSDN magazine and The Complete History of Auburn Football, a multimedia CD developed for the Auburn Network. Westglenn is located in the Innovation Depot, a business incubator in downtown Birmingham, AL that is home to over 50 technology and life science related start-ups. Jeff graduated from Auburn University in 1992 with bachelor's degrees in Electrical Engineering and Finance. He served on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Information Technology Association, was a member of the 2005 Birmingham Venture Club's Entrepreneur Accelerator program, and was selected by the Birmingham Business Journal as a member of the "Top 40 under 40" class of 2006. He holds numerous Microsoft certifications, serves on advisory boards for two Birmingham companies, and is in the very early stages of an Internet startup company that will provide collaboration services to volunteer groups.