MINUTES
Whitewater University Technology Park Board Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.
Whitewater Innovation Center
1221 Innovation Drive
Whitewater, WI 53190
PRESENT: Stephanie Abbott, Pat Cannon, Cameron Clapper, John Chenoweth, Denise Ehlen, Bud Gayhart, Jeff
Knight, Jessica Menke, Richard Moyse, Doug Saubert, Richard Telfer, and Robert Young
1. Call to Order: Richard Telfer, President, called the meeting to order at 8:03 am.
2. Approval of Minutes from October 24, 2012 meeting: Jeff Knight/John Chenoweth moved approval of
the minutes as written. The minutes were approved as written by consensus.
3. Report from Executive Director Robert Young—Current Activities/Updates:
a) Innovation Center Visitors: The Jefferson County Arts Board is meeting in the Center today.
Additional November visits included a retreat by the Walworth County management team, the
visit by the Assistant Deputy Director of the Economic Development Administration, and
events/meetings hosted by Generac.
b) Facility: There has been another issue with the elevators. Robert Young is working with the City
and Denise Ehlen to update the 2013+ budget to incorporate additional costs.
c) Fiber: An additional meeting was convened with WIN to explore fiber access for other community
users. Additional service providers are needed to provide Internet/VoIP service (Netwurx, for
example). Service bundle would be needed to ensure cost-effectiveness at the Innovation
Center. Service is available to other businesses in the community. Jeff Knight provided an
update on infrastructure options/discussions for other areas of the community (LINCS, Main
Street, for example). At this point, no deals have been finalized. Additional discussion is planned
to include service providers and Cameron Clapper, Pat Cannon, Young, and Knight (scheduled
Nov. 29, 2012). Beginning July 1, non-campus affiliated companies will be required to use an
alternative service. Chenoweth/Knight suggested issuing an RFP to ensure a competitive option
for Innovation Center tenants and the business community.
d) Innovation Express: Clapper indicated discussions related to next contract for the Innovation
Express. The majority of users, to date, have been Generac employees. Generac is interested
in maintaining some type of service for their employees.
e) Visits: Young coordinated 260 “cold calls” in October. Copies of the overview were
disseminated to Board members. Details regarding prospects can be obtained from Young’s
overview/report. Telfer directed Robert to disseminate the prospect overview electronically in
advance of future meetings. Knight suggested that Young being presentations to “service clubs”
as part of the marketing plan/strategy. Members discussed presentation plans/goals. Moyse
suggested leveraging the alumni network to connect to business/owners. Knight suggested
developing a sophisticated/canned PowerPoint to be used at presentations.
4. Review/Approval of October 2012 Financial Reports: Cameron Clapper provided an overview of the
October 2012 financial reports (disseminated with the agenda). Bud Gayhart/Stephanie Abbott moved to
accept the financial report. The report was accepted by unanimous vote.
5. Review and Possible Approval of Revised Draft of Sources and Uses Document: Denise Ehlen
provided a brief overview 2013 budget.
a) Ehlen and Saubert will update the Source and Use/budget to finalize all projected expenditures.
The revised draft will be routed to the Board prior to the next meeting.
b) Upon approval, the documents will be presented to the Council and CDA in late November/early
December.
Knight/Chenoweth moved approval of the Sources and Uses/draft budget and vested Telfer with the
authority to determine if final updates require approval by the Board or can be routed without further
discussion. The draft was approved by unanimous vote.
Young asked for feedback on sponsorship/donation priorities and opportunities. Telfer indicated that
revenues generated from naming rights and other gifts should be assigned to the sinking fund or an
endowment.
6. Whitewater Incubation Program: Ehlen provided an update on fall/spring activities focused on
recruitment of new students for the Launch Pad.
7. Accelerator Update: Gayhart provided an update on Gayhart/Ehlen research/discussions. Work for the
short term will focus on exploring funding options and identifying future facility needs for planning
purposes.
8. Strategic Plan and Marketing Plan Discussion: Young will route the strategic plan to all Board
members for review by Dec. 1, 2012. Members are asked to review the plan and provide feedback prior
to the December meeting. Young will also develop and disseminate a marketing plan and his Technology
Park/Innovation Center PowerPoint presentation to all Board members by Dec. 1, 2012. Young will email
presentation text to Ehlen in advance (one week prior) to develop format.
9. Whitewater University Technology Park Innovation Center Suite and Lab Naming Rights
Discussion: The City Attorney has reviewed the guidelines. Telfer reviewed/led a discussion of revised
sponsorship levels. Telfer is in conversations with a potential donor group. Young will provide an
updated draft for the December 2012 Board meeting.
10. Future Agenda Items:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Four offices will be elected at the December meeting.
Knight asked that Whitewater University Technology Park covenants be added to a future agenda.
Knight will provide an update on DP Electronics at the next meeting (potentially in closed session).
Young will provide more detailed prospect updates in the closed session.
Knight will provide updates on the seed fund.
Board members should forward additional agenda items to Young (copy to Liz Woolever and Telfer).
11. Future Meeting Dates: Dec. 12, Jan. 16, Feb. 13, Mar. 20, Apr. 10, May 8, and Jun. 19
12. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:31 am on a Chenoweth/Gayhart motion (unanimous vote).
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Ehlen