Entrepreneurship Essentials Workshop and Resource Fair

Dr. Abdelaal is a Marine Veteran, Co-Founder of a Tech Startup and Bunker Labs Ambassador. He is a practitioner and researcher of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with experience on several DoD projects and programs. He has served as Principal Investigator for multiple SBIRs. Through his undergraduate research at NASA while attending Pennsylvania State University and graduate research performed on multiple DoD projects at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Dr. Abdelaal has trained under the most respected experts in engineering, optimization, analytics, and ML.

Ms. Bunton is also the founding president of the Pathway Women's Business Center and was instrumental in launching the Pathway Veteran Business Outreach Center – all contributing to stronger outcomes for Pathway Lending and the clients it serves. Amy previously worked in the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development where she served as Deputy Commissioner and at the Tennessee Valley Authority as the leader of the Existing Business and Industry Initiative and Economic Development Loan Funds. Prior to her role with TVA, Amy served as the Assistant Commissioner of Administration in the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. She has also served as a logistics analyst for the Department of Defense. Amy has extensive experience in working with small businesses and Amy herself has a background as a small business owner.

Amy has served as a board chair for the national Association of Women's Business Centers, sits on the University of TN Basic Economic Development Council advisory committee, is a past member of the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Program, the Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association, the Nashville Association of Women Business Owners, Technology 2020, and Pathway Lending.

She is the past president of Business Retention and Expansion International, a professional economic development organization committed to the economic development strategy of assisting existing business and industry. Amy obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia Wesleyan College with honors as well as a Master’s Degree in business administration.

After serving in the United States Air Force (Aim High) Kimberly started the first woman-ownedtech firm in the state of Texas in 1993. Having thrived during the .com boom and bust of the late 90’s, Webtropolis is one of the nation’s leading technical auditing firms for federally funded organizations subject to The Security Rule. She also founded two corporations specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), risk mitigation, drone technology and audio/video in additional to IoT technology. Currently, she has clients in greater Houston, thirteen states, Washington-DC, Canada, Mexico, Poland, and Dubai. She has worked on technology and security-based projects with budgets in excess of $30million+.

Kimberly has an extensive background in the startup and venture capital world. As a business accountability coach and highly regarded maven, she has advised and consulted with over 30+ startups and founders including leading a number of those organizations to major funding cycles. She is a mentor for the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Foundry. The team she recently mentored - Blazing Audio - won the 2022 showcase. Kimberly was the 2021 showcase winner for the Homeland Security Startup Studio (HSSS) at FedTech - where she focuses her expertise and effort in meeting our nation’s Department of Defense and Homeland Security needs.

She is also the proud mother of her daughter, Carly, a doctoral student at LSU and two rotten cats.

After marrying into the military and joining thousands of unemployed or underemployed spouses, she shifted focus to entrepreneurship and her passion for creative problem-solving. After facing multiple moves-gone-wrong and recognizing her perspective as a seasoned mover, she bootstrapped her way into launching BoxOps® and quickly moved to protect her brand through two trademarks.

Knowing how complex and challenging the relocation process can be, Shea was determined to create helpful tools for all stages. And in just three years, these tools have gained a loyal customer base globally in the U.S., Canada, and bases throughout Europe and the Pacific. Her near-term goals include developing new products and hiring fellow military. Her long-term goal is to become a brand known for creating a better move through supplies, technology, and more.

Len brings years of management experience ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small business. With an emphasis on consumer products and business development, he has an extensive background both domestically and internationally. For the past 20 years he has worked with his wife on the establishment and growth of her very successful small business. He is pleased to share his knowledge and experience with clients of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Austin Peay State University.

Williams was honorably discharged from the US military in 2017 after 12 years of service in the Naval Special Operations community. Jake Served at SEAL Team SEVEN, and was an instructor at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training and SEAL Qualification Training.

During his tenure, Jake conducted 5 combat deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His many combat commendations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal with combat valor, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat valor, the Army Commendation Medal, and numerous other joint and individual awards. He was awarded the Admiral Ricketts Award for Inspirational Leadership. As a SEAL student, he was selected by his peers and instructor cadre as the class Honorman.

After transitioning out of the Navy, Jake has led large-scale construction and development projects, advised AI companies, and co-founded a security consulting company that works with both the public and private sectors. He also serves on multiple boards of veteran transition programs. He is a native of the San Fernando Valley in California. He enlisted in the Navy in 2005 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in November of 2006. Jake holds a B.S. in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis from Norwich University and a Master of Business for Veterans from the University of Southern California. He currently resides in Nashville, TN with his wife and three children.