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.
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 manages the day-to-day operations of the business incubator in order to facilitate a supportive and encouraging environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to grow. She works with UF Innovate | Accelerate's leadership to meet occupancy and revenue goals; implement programs, new initiatives, and special projects; monitor client performance; meet social media metrics; and establish operational goals and objectives that align with the overall strategic plan. She oversees facilities, reception, financial and contractual functions, and event management for The Hub.
Jennifer is an experienced manager with a history of working in both the private and public sectors of sales, hospitality, real estate law, finance, and accounting. She has been with The Hub since 2016 and was part of the team when The Hub was awarded the 2018 International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) Global Mixed-Use Incubator of the Year award.
Jennifer obtained her accounting degree from Fisher School of Accounting at UF and is currently the Treasurer of the Florida Incubation Association. She holds an Incubation Management Certificate from the InBIA as well as both Fiscal and HR certificates from UF, and was a Leadership Gainesville Graduate (Go Green!).
Jennifer obtained her accounting degree from Fisher School of Accounting at UF and is currently the Treasurer of the Florida Incubation Association. She holds an Incubation Management Certificate from the InBIA as well as both Fiscal and HR certificates from UF, and was a Leadership Gainesville Graduate (Go Green!).
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.