Kevin Bouley is President and CEO of Nerac, Inc. a global research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. A recognized leader in the information industry and Connecticut native, Mr. Bouley holds a B.S. in Finance (’80) from the University of Connecticut. He serves on the Peter J. Werth Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, the UCONN School of Engineering Advisory Board and Dean’s Advisory Cabinet for the UCONN School of Business. Bouley received the School of Engineering Distinguished Service Award in 2010 and was inducted into the School of Business Hall of Fame in 2014.

 

A passionate speaker on innovation and entrepreneurship, and strong advocate for research enabled technology venture development; he supports and encourages entrepreneurial studies in the UCONN School of Engineering, School of Business and School of Nursing. In addition to contributing ideas for new curriculum to stimulate and challenge the aspiring student entrepreneurs, he frequently serves as mentor and judge for a number of competitive programs that function as an entrepreneurial gateway for students.   He regularly chairs the XcellR8 “Shark Tank” pitch events and has provided or secured seed money for a select number of students’ ventures/products.

Mark Smith earned a Masters degree in structural geology from the Center for Integrative Geosciences at UConn. He has undergraduate degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Auckland, where he met his business partner and wife, Annette Evans (Ph.D candidate in the EEB program at UConn studying conservation biology). Together, they founded and operate Macroscopic Solutions, a scientific imaging company that provides products and solutions to scientific communities engaging in research, exploration and commercial innovation. Mark maintains active roles in geoscientific consulting, scientific imaging, is project manager and cofounder of Chain Investment Group and actively participates in entrepreneurial communities around Connecticut.

Don Judson, VP of Research and Advisory Services for Nerac, Inc. a global research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and technologies. An accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience in information technology, finance, operations, and consulting. Don brings considerable expertise in information technology operations, information security, financial reporting systems, profit and loss reporting, and business strategy.

Prior to his role at Nerac, Don co-founded OpenSky Corporation, an IT professional services firm that helps Fortune 500 companies: reduce IT costs, protect information assets and accelerate adoption of technologies. From 2007 to 2014, Don and his partners grew OpenSky to a $30 million business, earning several Inc. 500 Fast Growth awards. After managing the successful sale of OpenSky to TUV Rheinland, Don accepted a seat on the board of Nerac, Inc. Don is also an active advisor to XcellR8, an advisory group that provides entrepreneurs with business guidance and connections to growth capital.

Prior to OpenSky, Don managed significant IT and business operations for CIGNA and UnitedHealth Group. Earlier in his career Don led consulting organizations for Deloitte & Touche, Lucent Technologies/International Network Services and Resources Global Professionals. Don holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Economics and Management with a minor in Computer Science from Ithaca College.