Kelly Penwell, Assistant Director


Upon her arrival in Memphis, Kelly Penwell created the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) at the University of Memphis. Managing daily operations, she exceeded her original benchmark of launching 3 businesses in two years by over 1000%. Kelly continues to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in becoming successful business owners, yet her assistance reaches far beyond the Center's +170 clients. Through Kelly’s efforts, the CEI has partnered with numerous community and government organizations, local and international businesses, and charitable foundations aside from reaching out to the Latino market within the tri-state area. She recognizes the importance of giving students the opportunity to become valuable members of the Greater Memphis community, serving on the University of Memphis Internship Team and employing the largest number of interns on campus. Kelly can also be attributed with the creation of I.D.E.A.T.E., a newly created initiative giving student innovation teams the opportunity to complete short term projects for community businesses. This in turn provides students with experience to bolster their resume and lends help to businesses under the guidance of expert staff and faculty.
Kelly’s experience reaches far beyond the CEI. Prior to relocating to Memphis from Long Island, New York in June of 2011, she owned a packaged ice and home-heating fuel company, taught high school, and coordinated internship programs both on the secondary level and within higher education. Kelly has a long history of involvement with Rotary including experiences such as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student (1984-1985), mother of a Rotary Youth Exchange Student, host mother, District Co-Chair of RYLA, District Committee member for Rotary Youth Exchange, and Interact Club advisor.

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James Northcutt

James Northcutt is a senior International Business major, Spanish and German minor from Dyersburg, TN.  Spending many of his formative years in Germany, he grew up bilingual and upon graduation from high school knew his passions lay in conducting business across borders.  This inspired him to attend the International College of Seville for one semester  of his junior year and influenced his decision to accept employment in the global supply chain at the International Paper headquarters upon graduation this May.  A hopeful graduate of both the Helen Hardin Honors Program and FCBE Honors Program, James attributes much of his success to the University of Memphis. To give back, he joined Tiger Elite his sophomore year to recruit other high-achieving students to the U of M to maximize the University’s potential of being a nationally renowned institution and has remained actively involved throughout his college career.  He hopes to continue his work in innovation down the road in his future career and utilize all the hands-on experiences he’s had at the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

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Jared Stanfield

Jared Stanfield is a twenty-one year old college senior graduating in May, 2013. During his childhood and teenage years, Jared competed in over 150 junior golf tournaments all over the United States. Focusing primarily on the southeastern US, Jared honed his skills to lead the USJGT (United States Junior Golf Tour) his junior year of high school and receive the "Player of the Year" award in 2008. Making the decision to focus on his studies, Jared allowed his schooling to receive the majority of his time. Since attending the University of Memphis he has joined and actively participates in the M.I.L.E leadership program and the Young Entrepreneurs club. Additionally, The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has provided Jared with work experience dealing with small businesses and start ups of all sizes.
In his free time Jared enjoys playing both guitar and bass at his church, as well as in 2 bands of his own. Being a music lover through and through, he started his own home-based recording studio where he does his tracking, mixing, and mastering as well song writing and producing. Jared plans to embark on a new chapter of his life as he was recently engaged and will marry the girl of his dreams on May 31, 2013.

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Angela Trillo

 
Coming from an international background, Angela was born in Venezuela to Italian parents and has traveled to over 10 countries. The past 12 years of her life she has lived in Miami, Florida, where she had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of great people. She has a Degree in Marketing with a minor in Sales, and an associate in Arts. Angela is currently seeking her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Management at The University of Memphis and will be graduating this year. Her work experience is a mix of 17 years in marketing and sales, 7 years of being a trainer, and over 10 years in volunteer services on different associations. She has received many performance recognitions, loyalty pins and certifications. She is multilingual and speaks English, Spanish, and Italian. Angela also has strong computer skills and networking.  

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Casey Beck

 
Casey is an International Business student at The University of Memphis. Raised in Collierville, Tennessee, Casey graduated from Collierville High School in 2009 in the top 10% of her class.
In college, Casey has been consistently involved on campus, despite her commitment to maintaining her Helen Hardin Presidential Scholarship. She is a member of Phi Mu sorority, where she was elected as her chapter’s Philanthropy Chair and Vice President. Casey also served as the Vice President of Social Relations for the All Greek Programming Board. Through the University of Memphis, she has been able to study abroad in Spain as well as have a business mentor through the MILE program. Casey has pursued internship opportunities through AutoZone Inc., in their Mexico Store Development department. She is currently interning on campus at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where she assists clients in creating their own businesses. It was through her time there that she was able to create the Young Entrepreneurs Club.
Casey is graduating in May with a degree in International Business and a minor in Spanish. She will be graduating with University and Business Honors, as well as the high honor of Summa Cum Laude. In the future, she plans to travel and hopefully work with people and build relationships anywhere in the business world.

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Amber Davis Biography

Amber Davis is a junior at the University of Memphis studying Marketing Management and Public Relations. She is from Ashland, Mississippi and graduated from Ashland High School in 2010 as Valedictorian of her class. After high school, she began studying Chinese. She is skilled at website development, film editing, and social media promotion.  Amber has developed websites for businesses like Duet Photography and Fragrance For Less Scented Oils. At the University of Memphis, she is Vice President of the Student Marketing Association, a member of the Black Student Association, and a member of the Professional Assertive United Sisters of Excellence. Amber also likes to give back to her community by volunteering with the Youth Empowerment Group at her church, where she directs college preparatory programs for the youth. She is currently an intern at The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation where she manages social media accounts, interacts with local media to gain exposure, and creates marketing material for the center. One of her long-term goals is to own a fashion boutique after attending graduate school. She is the creator of her own fashion blog, AC Style Diaries and is in the process of starting an online boutique.

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Cole Johnson

Cole is a current student of business, studying Management Information Systems, an employee of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a server for Wade and Company Catering. He attended Saint Benedict high school where he reviewed music for the school paper. He has experience as a freelance audio recorder and has interned for the Memphis Music Foundation and Ardent Studios. Cole has been attending the University of Memphis since 2010.
Cole’s current interests are centered around technology, music, and innovation. He was awarded the John Tigrett Burton Innovator and Entrepreneur Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year due to his practice running a small recording service throughout high school and early on in college.  He has begun work creating digital audio plug-ins that serve as tools for mixing music and plans to implement these into his own work for a more expansive approach to the mixing process. 
Cole works to help incubate business ideas at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation under the FedEx Institute of Technology. There, he has served individual client needs and has helped to promote strong communication between employees and clients alike. 
Aside from working and attending class, Cole is an active member of the student Delegate Board here at the University of Memphis and participates weekly as a secondary consultant to a local music collective.
Cole enjoys occasional pickup games of soccer, playing drums, comedy, and audio engineering.

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Ravyn Patton

Ravyn is a junior accounting major in the Fogelman College of Business and Economics. Her main career interests are in financial policy and sustainable development with a personal interest in fashion and social behavior. Ravyn is currently interning with the Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation with the hopes that this will broaden her awareness of the financial needs and market for entrepreneurship in the City of Memphis.
During Ravyn's short time at the University of Memphis, she has become a member of the Helen Hardin honors program and the Fogelman College of Business and Economics Honor program. She also has obtained a Microsoft Specialist certification and completed a professionalism first seminar sponsored by First Tennessee.
Ravyn is currently a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, Beta Alpha Psi, Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, NAACP and the Fogelman College of Business Student Delegate Board. She is also a part time employee with The University of Memphis Annual Giving Department. Ravyn serves in her church and volunteers in her community. Since the age of 12, she has volunteered with an array of associations that include: The Salvation Army, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, and the Commission of Missing and Exploited Children. In addition to her work schedule, academic and community responsibility, Ravyn enjoys sewing, scrapbooking and reading.

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Breanna Wilson

Breanna Wilson is a senior marketing management major at The University of Memphis. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee and is the youngest of four siblings. Breanna has been a Hope Lottery Scholarship recipient since her freshman year in college. She is involved with many registered student organizations on the University of Memphis campus including the Black Student Association, Students Advocating Service, and Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys doing community service work, volunteering, and anything and everything that life has to offer! When she graduates, Breanna would like to attend a graduate school outside of the state of Tennessee. Prior to launching her career, Breanna would like to travel to places such as Miami, Florida and Italy.

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Artie Edingbourgh

Artie Edingbourgh was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Trezevant High School and will be graduating from the University of Memphis with a degree in management.
Artie is currently working in the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation office and is also a part of the Young Entrepreneurs Club. He has always wanted to work for himself, being the son of two self-employed parents.
Artie tries to make time management a priority as it is a skill that has benefited him over the last few years. He is dependable, trustworthy, and works in a timely manner.
He is an avid believer in the American way and I was born into a family that contains people from many cultures and walks of life. Artie is also a believer in science and hopes to one day be instrumental in scientific discovery. He plans to invest in companies that are producing future cures to disease using nanotechnology. Artie believes that one day technology will be as natural as breathing.
Artie’s personal long-term goal is to become a leader and influence others to be successful. He defines leadership as: "The influence to push people beyond their preconceived standards into a position they themselves would not venture into alone." He considers leadership to be crucial to the success of any entrepreneur.

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Benjamin Bailey Jordan

Ben was born and raised a Memphian, attending Grace St. Luke’s Episcopal School for grammar school and Memphis University School for high school. He played lacrosse for 2 years of high school and also served as class representative for the student council his junior year. Ben is currently a senior at The University of Memphis majoring in Marketing Management. His goal is to work at Archer>Malmo Advertising in account management here in Memphis. His aspirations while working at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation are to become proficient in branding, marketing client ideas, nurturing client relationships, and bringing clients to their maximum potential. Ben feels that these goals are key to becoming prepared in the field of marketing, one of the many areas that Archer>Malmo advertising is proficient in.

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Brandon Hayes-Taylor

Brandon is a junior double-majoring in Business Management and Business Finance at the University of Memphis. Brandon is a member of the University and Fogelman Honors Program, Golden Key International Honours Society, Memphis Institute of Leadership Education (MILE), and Sigma Alpha Lambda. Brandon also serves on the University’s Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) executive board. Also, Brandon is a securities investor and a double intern serving the CEI and the First Tee of Memphis. He has aspirations of becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) upon graduating. Brandon, ultimately, hopes to attend a top-tier graduate business program after completing at least two years of corporate work. He currently resides in the Bartlett community with his family after returning from a year of study at Fairfield University in Connecticut.

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