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Princeton, N.J. -- Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today hosted Einstein’s Alley: Best Practices, a conference that brought together leaders in the business, education, labor, and governmental sectors to share practical experiences in local and regional efforts to grow central New Jersey ’s economy.
“The future of Einstein’s Alley is represented in this room,” said Holt. ”The innovators, entrepreneurs, employees, educators, venture capitalists, land use experts, and civic leaders of central New Jersey are the driving force behind our common vision of a future that embraces innovation-based growth and improved quality of life for the people of Central New Jersey.”
The Einstein’s Alley initiative, launched in December of 2003, seeks to make Central New Jersey a national leader in attracting and supporting innovative companies. Since its inception, the initiative has:
- Institutionalized monthly seminars on key economic development opportunities in our region.
- Sponsored a “Small Business Day” on Capitol Hill for Central NJ small business owners and entrepreneurs to meet with key federal officials from SBA, Commerce Department, GSA and leaders of congressional small business committees.
- Secured (through Rep. Holt’s efforts) a three year, $1.9 million federal grant for the new Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey in Ewing, which assists communities throughout NJ achieve better land use planning, while facilitating economic development.
This year’s conference participants looked at some of the best practices in use around the area, and shared information on how to replicate these success stories and increase economic growth in central New Jersey .
“We can either wait for the future to arrive, or we can act now to develop our preferred future,” said Holt. “ Central New Jersey has the talent, experience, resources, and attributes to be a national hub of R&D-based growth. In order to achieve our desired outcome, we need to continue our broad participation, inspire creative action, and take proactive steps to build an innovation network.”
The topics and presenters at Einstein’s Alley: Best Practices were:
Keynote speaker
- Dr. Greg Olsen, Founder and former President, Sensors Unlimited
Start-up and Venture Funding
- Katherine O'Neill, Executive Director, Jumpstart New Jersey Angel Network
- David Lenihan, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO, CairGain, Inc.
- Kathleen Coviello, Techniuum Project Manager, Economic Development Authority
Meeting the Needs of Tomorrow's Workforce Today
- Dr. Gregory Kornhaber - NJCST Post Doctorate grant recipient at ExSAR Corp.
Responsible Economic Development
- Martin Bierbaum - Executive Director, Municipal Land Use Center at TCNJ
Nurturing the Entrepreneurial Network
- Michael Wiley - Innovation Project Officer, Economic Development Authority
- John Romanowich - President & CEO, SightLogix, Inc.
- Jeff Milanette - President, Innovative Partners, Inc.
Marketing NJ for R&D Investment and Attracting Business Development
- Maxine Ballen - Founder, President and CEO, New Jersey Technology Council
- Kenneth Traub - President and CEO, American Bank Note Holographics, Inc.
- Richard Goldberg, VP Public Affairs, DRS Technologies, Inc.
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