JONESBORO – The Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development (DCED) has hired Ty Keller to direct the A-State Innovation System, DCED Executive Director Shawnie Carrier announced today. The hire marks a significant step forward in the development of the A-State Innovation System’s mission to increase entrepreneurial and innovative activity in northeast Arkansas.
“We are thrilled to bring in someone of Ty’s caliber, who possesses both the technical 
expertise and public relations skills needed to lead the A-State Innovation System,” Carrier says.
Keller, a native of Jonesboro, comes to the A-State Innovation System from Engines Inc. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration at A-State. Keller serves on the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a graduate of Leadership Jonesboro.
“I am excited to be directing the A-State Innovation System,” Keller says. “Growing up in northeast Arkansas, I am aware of our long line of successful entrepreneurs. It is an honor to be involved in a system that will build on that history and expand opportunities for both innovation and entrepreneurship. From idea to business implementation, A-State Innovate will bring together education, nonprofit, public and private sector support and resources to assist startup ventures.”
About A-State Innovation System
The A-State Innovation System is a coordinated network of sites and support services designed to foster entrepreneurship in East Arkansas. Existing assets, partners and infrastructure have been strategically aligned for a successful regional innovation system. Local startups and small businesses cultivate the entrepreneurial environment for which East Arkansas strives and the return on investment is home grown jobs and a stronger economy for Arkansas.
A-State Innovate will have facilities and programs to include a maker’s space/co-work space in downtown Jonesboro, wet labs and incubation space on the A-State campus, and industrial and manufacturing space located in the Jonesboro Industrial Park.
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