Linda Chamberlain
Linda Chamberlain graduated from Purdue University with honors for both her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate degrees in chemistry. Her academic pursuits continued at the University of California, Irvine, where she was awarded a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship for research in rare earth science.
Following this successful academic career, Linda joined Shell Development Company as a Futures Research Chemist in polymeric materials. After four years “on the bench,” she moved into leadership and management of scientific and technical teams. From her eight years at Shell, she has 19 patents issued for work in catalyst, polymer, and product/process development.
Linda next led and participated in new product research and development for AlliedSignal as Director of Research and Technology, Engineering Plastics. Her technical and market experience while at AlliedSignal included the development of resins for office furniture, lawn and power tools, sporting equipment, household and medical appliances, fibers and monofilaments, and personal care products.
Linda joined Johnson Controls, Inc in 1997 as Director of Advanced Manufacturing. In this role, she led a team of 60 individuals focused on the development and application of new materials and processing technologies in automotive interiors. In 1998, she was appointed JCI’s Executive Director of New Product and Business Development. As such, she was responsible for management of corporate product development process from idea generation to manufacture, which required a comprehensive awareness of emerging technologies, alternative business approaches and competitive challenges. During her tenure, her global team of 30 product managers developed and commercialized over ten new products, and developed key technology areas in acoustics, human factors, lighting, electronics, safety, and “total occupant environment.”
In 2000, Automotive News has recognized Chamberlain in its list of 100 leading women in the North American auto industry.
Since 2002, Linda has purposefully sought alternative work experiences. She has worked in the non-profit sector for Holland Community Hospital Foundation as a Fund Development Specialist. She has worked for the law firm of Butzel Long, developing new business models for counsel client services. During her tenure at Butzel Long, she was employed in the public sector, serving at the pleasure of the Governor of Michigan as an Executive on Loan.
Currently, Linda is the Executive Director for the West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative
Rich Cook oversees the life sciences commercialization accelerator at GVSU and coaches clients providing them access to the WMSTI Virtual Company Partners and WMSTI Capital Partners, including angels and venture capital groups in Michigan. The accelerator is a major GVSU commitment to excellent job and wealth creation in the region.
Rich joined WMSTI in early 2007, after retiring from X-Rite (NASDAQ: XRIT) as CEO in 2003. Having served as an “intrapreneur” since 1976, he came out of retirement to coach and help regional entrepreneurs succeed in their company start-ups. His industrial career includes three Michigan-based, global, technologically driven companies. He has supplied diverse markets including instrumentation, software, office furniture, transportation, aerospace, displays, computer peripherals, business machinery, and solid waste disposal. He has taught at Hope College and GVSU and served on the Board of Trustees at Aquinas and was a volunteer business counselor for four years for the SBTDC.
His progressive experience with innovation includes twenty-three years in top management, eleven years of “intrepreneurial” start‑ups, and seven years of applied research in optics. He has international experience with joint ventures and acquisitions and U.S. experience in seed venture capital.
He has always enjoyed coaching individuals and companies in their business endeavors creating good-paying, technologically based jobs for the West Michigan region. The work at WMSTI is a natural extension of his life’s work thus far. Together with his experience in business creation, his varied degrees in physics, education, religion, and business allow him to not only connect with clients but to provide useful information and guidance in a variety of areas affecting business and employees.
Kim Bode is the Marketing Director for the West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative (WMSTI) at Grand Valley State University. WMSTI is dedicated to growing and diversifying the community economy by creating an environment that inspires innovation and supports the commercialization of science and technology.
Kim currently serves on the board for the American Marketing Association of West Michigan, the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America, glimaWest, MAVERICKS, and the Michigan Street Neighborhood Association while participating in the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Michigan Economic Developers Association, MichBio, the Grand Rapids Economic Club, Neighborhood Ventures, Association for Corporate Growth, American Cancer Society CBB, Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the West Michigan Film Commission. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University.
Bonnie Dawdy is the Office Coordinator for the West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative at Grand Valley State University. She is new to the staff as of August 28, 2006. Her previous position was as an Executive Secretary in the Office of the President at GVSU on the Allendale Campus. For the past ten years she has worked with and for all of the Executive Officers, Executive Secretaries, the Board of Trustees, donors and dignitaries from the local community. Within her ten years in the executive offices, she has worked with many of the faculty and staff from all disciplines and thoroughly enjoys these relationships. She began at GVSU in 1993 at the start up of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus and learned a great deal about the service learning field and giving back to the community. This is what drew her back to the downtown area and working with WMSTI as they pursue their mission of growing and diversifying the community economy in their support of the life sciences.
She is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Graphic Design. She has completed and received several certificates in various software applications. She is an active Board member of the GVSU University Club, a cabinet member for the GVSU Faculty/Staff Campaign, a consultant for the United Way Campaign and is involved in numerous charity events for the local community.
She enjoys life and being active in it - running, golfing, reading, learning, giving, music and sharing experiences with her family and friends.
