Board of Directors

Howell Lee currently serves as Director for the Tennessee Valley’s WIRED Initiative as well as President of Valley Innovation Alliance. He has thirty seven years of experience in the business and legislative arenas. Lee’s background includes extensive experience in governmental affairs, serving as District Director for Congressman Bud Cramer, Al-05, Finance Director for Friends of Bud Cramer, Director of Governmental Affairs for SPARTA, Inc., a 1,500 employee defense contractor, business experience includes economic development construction, management, administration and public relations developed through leadership positions in business and professional associations.	Howell Lee President

Dr. Daniel Adamek is the Vice President of Materials and Development at AZ Technology. He currently leads business development for AZ Technology and runs research and development efforts in materials research and “Green” technologies, sits on the Steering Committee for the Partnership for Biotechnology Research, and holds a position on AAMU NCLT Nanoscience Education Advisory Board. Dr. Adamek has long history of educational outreach efforts including: mentoring for NASA Explorer Schools Reduced Gravity Program in pilot phase and the first year of the program, helping to develop nanotechnology curriculum for Giles County High School, and most recently building and carrying out Savory Science, a program delivered through video and web based multimedia whose objective is to encourage scientific exploration in the kitchen. He has a PhD in Molecular Biophysics from Florida State University and was a NASA Scientist 2002-2006 in Biotechnology Laboratory.	Dr. Daniel Adamek

Ronald Boles is president of General and Automotive Machine Shop, a Huntsville manufacturing company founded in 1945. He serves on the boards of the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Colonial Bank, North Alabama Region, Huntsville Utilities Electric (Chairman), and the National Manufacturers Association of Washington, D.C. A Rotarian, he was awarded the Vocational Excellence Award by Rotary in 1993. He is currently developing a workforce development program for manufacturers.	Ronald Boles

Lucia Cape was named Vice President for Workforce at the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County in October 2006. She was charged with establishing the Chamber’s new Workforce Division in response to the workforce challenges brought on by the region’s economic growth, including the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act that is bringing thousands of jobs to Redstone Arsenal. Prior to joining the Chamber staff, Ms. Cape was a contractor to the Marshall Space Flight Center’s Academic Affairs Office from 2002-2006 where she worked in informal education, including business/industry partnerships. From 1999-2002 she was a Presidential Management Intern and then a contractor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, focusing on public health partnerships, communication, workforce and law. She worked as a technical editor for environmental contractors to the US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command in the mid 1990s. While earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia, Ms. Cape interned with the Huntsville News and then served as the paper’s design director before the paper was closed in 1996. She supported the Huntsville Times in launching its Homes for Today magazine in 1997 before returning to the University of Georgia to pursue her master’s degree in public administration. She is a former Army Brat who lived on Redstone Arsenal twice growing up. She is married to Huntsville native Mark Torstenson, owner of The Fret Shop, and has one daughter, Evelyn (2 and 1/2), and a son, Julian, born in October 2007.	Lucia Cape

Dr. Mary Jane Caylor (Board Member Emeritus) is the Executive Director of Big Spring Partners and was the Executive Director of Huntsville’s Bicentennial Celebration 2005. Dr. Caylor currently serves as a member of the Alabama State Board of Education representing District VIII. She was elected to this position in 1994. Dr. Caylor earned a BS degree in Elementary Education and an MA degree in Special Education, both from the University of Alabama. She later earned an AA Certification in Special Education. She earned an Ed D in Educational Administration and Planning from the University of Alabama. Dr. Caylor taught on the elementary school level and as an adjunct professor with the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Athens State College. She also worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education with Troy State University. Dr. Caylor has also worked a Juvenile Detective with the City of Huntsville and as a Juvenile Probation Officer Madison County. Dr. Caylor has served as a Visiting Professor with Alabama A&M University’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Caylor served as Director of Special Education, Assistant Superintendent of General Services, and from 1982 – 1991 she served as Superintendent of the Huntsville City Schools.	Dr. Mary Jane Caylor

Dr. Cebert received his PhD. in “Plant Breeding & Genetics at Purdue University, in 1998. While at Purdue his Research work in plant breeding involved hybridization of wheat and oats for disease resistance, cold tolerance, adaptability and yield. Further work on “Genetics Analysis of Hessian Fly Resistance Gene in Durum Wheat” yielded the discovery of a new gene (H26) for resistance to the Hessian fly. In 2001, he was appointed as a Research Assistant Professor, in the Department of Plant and Soil Science, Alabama A&M University, where he initiated a winter canola breeding program for adaptation in Northern Alabama and the Mid-south region with the use of classical breeding and molecular markers. The project involves creating new canola lines for specific uses in: phytoremediation, winter-forage, leafy-green-vegetable and as a feedstock for biodiesel. Other activities include: screening and evaluating non-traditional crops as feedstock for biofuels and to create a bio-energy crop rotation system; working to establish an interdisciplinary ‘Alternative Energy Research Center’ at Alabama A&M University; evaluating biodiesel production and its added-value co-products for small farms; and Collaborating with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to set educational demonstration of biodiesel production with the use of a mobile classroom.	Dr. Ernie Cebert

James L. Flinn III (Jim Flinn, Board Member Emeritus) is currently on Adjunct Faculty and Consultant to the VP/Research at UAHuntsville. He retired after 35 years of civilian service to the US Army, culminating his service as Deputy to the Commanding General, US Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal. He is an active Trustee and Teacher at his home church and is on Boards of the Alabama Space Science and Exhibit Commission, Space & Rocket Center Foundation, Huntsville Rehabilitation Foundation, ARC of Madison County, Madison County Veterans Memorial and VIA.	James Flinn

Ms. Debi Garrison has been the Grants Coordinator for Calhoun Community College since July 2003. She has secured in excess of $20M in state and federal funding for College programs. Prior to becoming the Grants Coordinator, Ms. Garrison was the Assistant to the Vice-President. She has worked closely with the College’s Dean for Workforce Development and the College currently has three U.S. Department of Labor funded grants. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Athens State University, a Masters degree from Faulkner University and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. at the University of Alabama.	Debi Garrison

Tee Jackson has been serving for the past six years as the Giles County Director of Schools (superintendent) in Pulaski, Tennessee. His professional background in education includes two years at Marianna High School in Marianna, Florida, one year at Crisp County High School in Cordele, Georgia, one year as an instructor at Samford University, and twenty six years at Athens City Schools in Athens, Alabama. He has served as a classroom teacher, an elementary school principal, an assistant high school principal, a high school principal, a central office supervisor, an acting superintendent, and now as Director of Schools over the past thirty six years.Tee has a BS and a MA degree from Samford University. He attends First Baptist Church of Pulaski, Tennessee. He has enjoyed 35 years of marriage with his wife, Jackie. They have two children. He is very active in his community and church.	Tee Jackson

Dr. Thomas Koshut joined The University of Alabama in Huntsville as Associate Vice President for Research in February 2006. In this position, he is involved with the strategic management of all aspects of non-defense research at UAHuntsville. He works closely with the Vice President for Research in the development of an enabling environment for research and innovation within five academic colleges and in the day-to-day activities associated with overseeing 14 research centers, two laboratories, and four research offices. Dr. Koshut manages two internal competitive grant programs related to young faculty development and research infrastructure investment. In addition to his regular responsibilities, Dr. Koshut also served as the Interim Director for the UAHuntsville Office of Technology Commercialization, and chaired the search committee to recruit the current Director of that office.Prior to arriving at UAHuntsville, Dr. Koshut served as the Legislative Director and Senior Policy Advisor for U.S. Congressman Bud Cramer, and worked on an IPA assignment as a staff scientist in the Physics and Astronomy Division Office of the Marshall Space Flight Center. Dr. Koshut’s scientific research focuses on the study of gamma-ray astrophysics, in which he has authored or co-authored over 40 scientific papers, is a co-editor of an AIP Symposium proceeding, and is a member of the American Astronomical Society and the American Physical Society. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Sci-Quest Hands-on Science Center. Dr. Koshut received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and a B.S. degree in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Koshut is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Huntsville, Alabama, with his wife Erin Laurence Koshut, and their daughter, Mary Addison.	Dr. Tom Koshut

Dr. Neil E. Lamb is the Director of Education and Outreach for the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology (HAIB), a non-for-profit research institute in Huntsville, Alabama. The grandson of a scientist, Neil developed a love for science at an early age, thanks in part to numerous science-related birthday and Christmas gifts and the encouragement of several excellent teachers. Dr. Lamb received his BS degree in Molecular Biology from Auburn University and his Ph.D. in Human Genetics from Emory University. In 1999, Dr. Lamb became a faculty member of the Department of Human Genetics at Emory. He served as Director of Education, overseeing genetic educational opportunities with the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Theology, as well as directing outreach efforts for K-12 programs and the public.	Dr. Neil Lamb

Jan McKeel is the Executive Director of the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, which is a private non-profit that works to develop the workforce through efforts with economic development, education, and employment. The South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance provides oversight to the Tennessee Career Centers located in the 8 South Central Tennessee counties of Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall, Maury, Perry, and Wayne, and assists over 20,000 job seekers a year with career development and training. She has over 16 years experience in the field of career development. In addition, she has facilitated training sessions with workforce development professionals across the country through her affiliation with the Center for Workforce Learning since 2004. Jan is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BBA in finance. She then returned to her hometown of Murray, KY where she received a Masters of Business Administration from Murray State University. She worked in the private sector for 6 years as the Director of Fiscal Services with Marion Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, before returning to the college classroom as a faculty member in Illinois and Kentucky. The family then relocated to Columbia where she joined the Workforce Alliance (formerly the Workforce Board). She is married to Mickey McKeel, and they are the parents of a son: Curry, age 22 & a Lambuth University graduate employed by Ripken Baseball, and Katie, age 20 & a junior studying International Business at Lambuth University in Jackson, TN. Jan serves on the Maury County Animal Shelter Board of Directors, the Columbia Kiwanis Board of Directors, and is the American Heart Association Heart Walk Chair for 2008. She has volunteered with the American Red Cross in Tennessee & Kentucky, previously serving as the Maury County Chairman, and served on the Executive Committee of Maury Alliance in the capacity of Education Council Chairman during 2006-2007. She served as the Cumberland Valley Girl Scout Council – Maury County Friends of Girl Scouts Chair 2007. She is the #1 fan of the 2007 World Series Champion American Legion Post 19 Baseball program in the summers, for which Mickey is the Manager & Head Coach. She and Mickey also oversee the Children’s Bible Hour at their church.	Jan McKeel


Dick Reeves has been involved in high tech, low tech and no tech companies in Huntsville since 1969. Since 2003 he has served as CEO of Biztech, Huntsville’s high-tech business incubator. He previously served as Biztech’s organizer, first Executive Director, Board Chairman and member of its Board since it’s founding in 1996. Previously, he spent 35 years in the computer industry as a founder or principal in several high-technology companies in the Huntsville area. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Time Domain Corporation, a manufacturer of products based on ultra wideband radio technology, as well as the boards of several BizTech client companies. Dick also serves as the Chairman and Executive Director of the Huntsville Angel Network, a group of 50 high-net-worth investors in the Huntsville, Alabama area. While wearing his community service hat, Dick serves on the Industrial Development Board of the City of Huntsville, the Public Building Authority, the Board of the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and serves as coordinator of the regional workforce development initiative. He previously has served as Chairman of the Huntsville Committee of 100; Chairman of the Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority; and as a member of The Alabama State Airport Authority; He is a 25-year Rotarian, was founding Chairman of the Huntsville Public Library Foundation, and has served in various capacities with the Huntsville Land Trust, United Way, UAH and New Century Technology High School.	Dick Reeves

Dr. Reutter presently serves as the Dean of Instruction for J. F. Drake State Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama. He previously served as Dean of Instruction for Ayers State Technical College in Anniston, Alabama, as the Principal Investigator/Project Director for the Alabama Colleges for Engineering Technology Education Advancement (ACETEA), a National Science Foundation-funded project of the Alabama Microelectronics Consortium, and as Dean of the US Air Force Immersion Education Program, a workforce education program for civilian employees of US Air Force logistics centers. Dr. Reutter’s academic credentials include a BS in Applied Mathematics from the California State Polytechnic University, an MS in Computer Science from Rutgers University, an MBA from the University of North Alabama, and an EdD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama. Dr. Reutter also was a software systems analyst for Bell Telephone Laboratories, where he was Involved in the development of UNIX, the C programming language, and the ARPANET communications protocol, the forerunner of the Internet. He also authored a McGraw-Hill textbook, “Data Processing: Systems and Concepts”, published in 1977, and served as Vice President of VISA, where he was responsible for the worldwide credit card interchange network in 1979 through 1980.	Dr. John Reutter

Gwen Shelton was elected the first female Mayor of Fayetteville, Tennessee. She served as an Alderwomen and was elected twice to the Fayetteville City Board of Education. Mayor Shelton has taught Middle School and served as an Adjunct Professor with Middle Tennessee State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree from Middle Tennessee State University and is currently pursuing her EDS at Tennessee State University. Mayor Shelton is a member of the Lions Club, a member of the Board Directors of Jr’s House Child Advocacy Center, and is active on many youth sports boards. She is married to Scott Shelton and they have to two sons, Nevada and Cooper.	Mayor Gwen Shelton