Florida Business Incubation association
EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS STATEWIDE TO LAUNCH THE BUSINESSES OF TOMORROW
our bOARD
2023-24
Karl R. LaPan
President
Karl leads both of UF Innovate’s award-winning incubators, Sid Martin Biotech in Alachua and The Hub, a mixed-use incubator, in Gainesville. Under his leadership, UF Innovate | Accelerate provides a place and a program, coaching and connections to give emerging companies the best chance for ongoing success.
Before joining UF Innovate in late spring of 2021, Karl served as president and CEO of the NIIC, a non-profit entrepreneurial support organization in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since its inception in 2000. Like UF Innovate’s Incubation Services, the NIIC supports entrepreneurs as they plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures so companies can “move ideas into action.”
Under LaPan’s direction, entrepreneurs through the NIIC have launched 499 products, applied for 196 patents (most have been granted), created 2,351 jobs, and attracted more than $100 million in grants and capital. He also established a Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center to serve women business owners more effectively, built a portfolio of inclusive support grants to give underrepresented groups greater access to entrepreneurial services, and launched a Kiva Hub in collaboration with the City of Fort Wayne and two other organizations to crowdfund inclusive and diverse entrepreneurs in Northeast Indiana.
LaPan graduated with a master’s degree in human resources from American University after earning a bachelor’s degree in business management from Franklin Pierce University. He has a number of certifications related to entrepreneurship, mentoring, emotional intelligence, leadership and management, and financial management. He is a licensed real estate broker.
Before joining UF Innovate in late spring of 2021, Karl served as president and CEO of the NIIC, a non-profit entrepreneurial support organization in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since its inception in 2000. Like UF Innovate’s Incubation Services, the NIIC supports entrepreneurs as they plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures so companies can “move ideas into action.”
Under LaPan’s direction, entrepreneurs through the NIIC have launched 499 products, applied for 196 patents (most have been granted), created 2,351 jobs, and attracted more than $100 million in grants and capital. He also established a Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center to serve women business owners more effectively, built a portfolio of inclusive support grants to give underrepresented groups greater access to entrepreneurial services, and launched a Kiva Hub in collaboration with the City of Fort Wayne and two other organizations to crowdfund inclusive and diverse entrepreneurs in Northeast Indiana.
LaPan graduated with a master’s degree in human resources from American University after earning a bachelor’s degree in business management from Franklin Pierce University. He has a number of certifications related to entrepreneurship, mentoring, emotional intelligence, leadership and management, and financial management. He is a licensed real estate broker.
Elliott Welker
Vice President
Elliott is Assistant Director of Sid Martin Biotech, UF Innovate | Accelerate's award winning life sciences incubator. He works on programs and progress for biotech startup companies.
He currently serves as Vice President of Florida Business Incubation Association, Treasurer of startGNV, Secretary of Alachua Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Alachua County Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) for Board of County Commissioners, Advisory Board Member for the Santa Fe College Perry Center for Emerging Technologies, and Advisory Board Member for the Institute of Biotechnology at Santa Fe High School. Elliott graduated with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Florida. He has a number of certifications related to entrepreneurial ideation and mindset, mentoring, coaching, and wine.
He currently serves as Vice President of Florida Business Incubation Association, Treasurer of startGNV, Secretary of Alachua Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Alachua County Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) for Board of County Commissioners, Advisory Board Member for the Santa Fe College Perry Center for Emerging Technologies, and Advisory Board Member for the Institute of Biotechnology at Santa Fe High School. Elliott graduated with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Florida. He has a number of certifications related to entrepreneurial ideation and mindset, mentoring, coaching, and wine.
Jennifer Harrell
Treasurer
Jennifer Harrell is a dedicated professional based in Gainesville, Florida, holding a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Florida. With a strong educational background, she has earned additional certifications, including the lnBIA Incubator Manager Certificate, We Love Mentors Certified Startup Mentor, and Entrepreneurial Mindset Certified Entrepreneur Coach.
Jennifer serves as the driving force behind one of the largest single-use incubator facilities in the US. Since joining The Hub in 2016, she has excelled in maintaining occupancy and revenue goals, implementing innovative client-centric programs, and spearheading new initiatives and special projects. Her commitment and leadership were pivotal in The Hub receiving the 2018 International Business Innovation Association (lnBIA) Global Mixed-Use Incubator of the Year award.
Jennifer is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of experience from diverse sectors, including sales, hospitality, real estate law, finance, and accounting. Her proficiency extends to finance, operations, strategic planning, project management, data analysis, problem-solving, and leadership.
Outside her professional endeavors, Jennifer is actively involved in the community. She proudly serves as a board member for the Alachua Junior Achievement and the Florida Business Incubator Association. A graduate of Leadership Gainesville, she exemplifies values such as compassion, respect, resilience, courage, passion, and imagination.
In her personal life, Jennifer's journey started in some of the finest restaurants in South Florida and Atlanta before transitioning to a successful career in business. Her ultimate goal is to foster a safe, encouraging, and supportive community for entrepreneurs to start, grow, and thrive. Beyond her professional achievements, Jennifer enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and indulging in her love for food and wine. A fun fact about Jennifer is that she was born in the hospital situated on the very land where she now passionately works.
Jennifer serves as the driving force behind one of the largest single-use incubator facilities in the US. Since joining The Hub in 2016, she has excelled in maintaining occupancy and revenue goals, implementing innovative client-centric programs, and spearheading new initiatives and special projects. Her commitment and leadership were pivotal in The Hub receiving the 2018 International Business Innovation Association (lnBIA) Global Mixed-Use Incubator of the Year award.
Jennifer is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of experience from diverse sectors, including sales, hospitality, real estate law, finance, and accounting. Her proficiency extends to finance, operations, strategic planning, project management, data analysis, problem-solving, and leadership.
Outside her professional endeavors, Jennifer is actively involved in the community. She proudly serves as a board member for the Alachua Junior Achievement and the Florida Business Incubator Association. A graduate of Leadership Gainesville, she exemplifies values such as compassion, respect, resilience, courage, passion, and imagination.
In her personal life, Jennifer's journey started in some of the finest restaurants in South Florida and Atlanta before transitioning to a successful career in business. Her ultimate goal is to foster a safe, encouraging, and supportive community for entrepreneurs to start, grow, and thrive. Beyond her professional achievements, Jennifer enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and indulging in her love for food and wine. A fun fact about Jennifer is that she was born in the hospital situated on the very land where she now passionately works.
Shannon Pastizzo
Secretary
Shannon Pastizzo is currently the Program Director at the University of South Florida CONNECT, the entrepreneurial incubator. She is also serving in the consulting role as the Director of Business Development with Synapse. She began her extensive career by identifying the financial needs of healthcare clients and then recommending the most appropriate programs for a financial institution in central Connecticut. Her more recent experiences involved creating and orchestrating initiatives to improve marketing and business development. These strategies proved to be professional, imaginative, and successful by creating significant benefits for both the business and the consumer.