TRACK Workshop: Managing Innovative People

Jim Euchner is Visiting Professor at Aston Business School (UK) and Editor in Chief of Research-Technology Management, a peer-reviewed journal for practitioners of innovation, technology and research management. He was previously Vice President of Global Innovation at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, where he led the development of new businesses and helped launch four businesses on three continents.  Prior to his work at Goodyear, Jim held positions as Vice President of Growth Strategy and Innovation at Pitney Bowes, Inc. and Vice President, Network Systems Advanced Technology at Bell Atlantic (now Verizon).     Jim has worked in the field of intelligent systems for over 25 years. In his consulting practice, he helps companies to implement businesses enabled by emerging technologies, including AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, and predictive analytics. He helps companies to move quickly and in a disciplined way from concept to cash.  Areas of focus include the use of lean startup approaches in large organizations, business model innovation, and the challenges manufacturers confront in moving to services-led business models.    Jim is industry co-chair of the Aston Advanced Services Partnership and past member of the Scientific Advisory Council for the Nissan Autonomous Vehicle program. He is also a co-founder of the MIT Innovation Laboratory, a consortium to nurture innovation in organizations. Jim has published and spoken extensively on innovation and technology management. His google scholar page can be found at http://tinyurl.com/google-scholar-JimEuchner    Jim received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in mechanical and aerospace engineering and his Master of Science degree from Princeton University, where he was a Guggenheim Fellow.  He also holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University. He has received several awards for his work in AI, including two selections as Innovative Applications of AI, the Carnegie Mellon University/AMS Award for Managing Information Systems, and the Franz Edelman Award (finalist).  

Dr. Spencer Pugh is an executive with over 40 years of experience in technology development, product commercialization, and business management.    He is the Principal of Prospect Ridge Consulting, LLC, and serves as Chief Scientist and Board Director of the start-up MagPlasma.  Most recently, he was Vice-President, Research and Development, for Michelman, a specialty chemical company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.   Prior to that, Spencer was the Vice-President and General Manager of the Energy and Environment Global Business Unit of Battelle, the research and development non-profit headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.  He started his professional career with the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester NY, where Spencer was a Senior Laboratory Head.  He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Stanford University.   He is a Six Sigma Black Belt and is also a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP), licensed by the Licensing Executives Society (LES). He has been active in the Innovation Research Interchange (IRI) for over 15 years and has served on its Board of Directors twice.