Innovation & Entrepreneurship is Key to Moving Maine’s Economy Forward
Presented by:

Catherine Renault, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Innovation in the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development

The 2010 Science and Technology Action Plan is a blueprint for changing the trajectory of Maine's economy. It has been developed by Dr. Renault's office and the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board, with input from a wide variety of stakeholders. The plan is legislatively mandated every five years, beginning in 2010. Dr. Renault says "The plan aims to accomplish two things: to position Maine competitively in the
global economy through capitalizing on our natural tendency to be innovative, and to create jobs for our kids and grandkids so they can continue to live in this special place."

Catherine S. Renault serves as the Director, Office of Innovation in the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and as Science Advisor to the Governor. The Office oversees and evaluates all programs that receive state funding for research and development,
coordinates efforts between and among the state’s educational, non-profit and for profit research-intensive organizations and develops and implements a science and technology plan for the state consistent with Maine’s overall economic development strategy. The Office manages the budgets for the Maine Technology Institute and the Technology Centers as well as the annual Comprehensive R&D Evaluation. 

Dr. Renault comes to Maine from RTI International in Durham, NC where she consulted with a wide variety of states and regions about technology-based economic development. Her previous state experience was as Managing Director of Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology where she was responsible for entrepreneurship and access to capital policy as well as statewide technology transfer initiatives. She also spent ten years in the private sector including AT&T and Data General. Dr. Renault is originally from Boston and received her undergraduate degree from Harvard, her MBA from the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Dr. Renault serves on the Board of Trustees for the State Science and Technology Institute, and the Board of Directors for the Maine Technology Institute, the Small Enterprise Growth Fund and CEI Capital Management(CCML). She also represents Commissioner Richardson on the Governor’s Task Force on Ocean Energy.

The A.C.E. regular meeting has networking, a buffet breakfast and a speaker. Guests are welcome. Roundtables follow the meeting.

Roundtable: A.C.E. Roundtables are Member led, in depth discussions of topics of particular importance and interest to consultants. The Roundtable will take place from 9:45 - 10:30 and will be led by Dave Griffiths of Dave Griffiths Communications. Topic this month is:

Marketing Yourself Electronically And Through The Media.

Dave will address how to most effectively get your message out and communicate clearly and consistently with your prospects and clients using tools such as Constant Contact and electronic newsletters. He will offer tips on getting free publicity through the media, a la MaineBiz, press releases and other local news outlets.

Learn more about Dave here.

Registrations are required by March 16, 2010. If you want to be included on the registration list at the meeting then you need to register by the due date.

You can pay online by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover NOT AMERICAN EXPRESS!) or mail a check to:
A.C.E.
c/o Kerry Porter
P O Box 404
Gorham, ME 04038

If you are mailing a check, please register here so the system can track the registrants for us. Thanks!

Members: the $17 fee only works if you pay in advance. At the door, it is $22.