Duane B Thomas

Providing leadership resources, education and networking opportunities in community, economic, and entrepreneurial development within West Virginia and beyond.

Entrepreneurship, management, and marketing: over 25 years comprised of concept development, operational development/implementation, management, local-store marketing, financial strategy/analysis, employee/management development, customer satisfaction. Consulting services to communities, non-profit organizations, and small businesses for approximately 15 years. Education and trainingto public (University faculty member) and within private sector approximately 15 years. MBA in business administration from Marshall University – pursuing Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership too.

I believe a key component to building a stronger foundation within a community is continually overlooked and/or underutilized.

STUDENTS

As I recently Tweeted on Twitter: [Cultivating Human Ability - Capacity | Whether they flourish depends on how they are nourished - Sir Ken Robinson]

ENGAGING students within communities, more specifically with SMALL and large business owners (Entrepreneurs), will increase the nourishment students are receiving within the "brick and mortar" institutions. Nourishment, not only for the students but also for the entrepreneurs.

Additionally, I believe the success of students has to do with the community they live in along with the school they attend. Based upon this belief, I attempt to provide students and entrepreneurs every opportunity within courses to engage in material and create opportunities for the region to become a better place.