Paul Jones, former executive officer for Harley-Davidson, Inc., has been named the 707 Hub’s first intrapreneur-in-residence. Tom Avery, business development consultant and head of Avery Consulting LLC, will serve as the organization’s entrepreneur-in-residence.
In his role as intrapreneur-in-residence, Jones will oversee the 707 Hub’s student-run venture capital “Dorm Fund” program, formulate best practices from innovation centers around the world, collaborate with other Marquette resident executives, and help expand the Rev-Up MKE program and mentor Rev-Up finalists.
Rev-Up MKE is a live business pitch competition hosted by Marquette University, Harley-Davidson and Near West Side Partners that supports small businesses hoping to move into an empty storefront on Milwaukee’s Near West Side. Jones was integral in establishing the Rev-Up program.
“I am proud to be in this new, innovative role in the 707 Hub, where great ideas are realized and thrive. I look forward to using insight from my professional experiences as vice president of strategy and sustainability at Harley-Davidson and other industry roles to help elevate future business and job creators,” Jones said. “But I also anticipate learning from students, staff and community members as we navigate the ever-changing world of business innovation together.”
Jones will also work closely with Avery.
As entrepreneur-in-residence, Avery will serve as a coach, adviser and educator on Marquette’s campus. He will conduct one-on-one appointments with students, faculty and staff as they develop business ideas. He will also lead workshops to support idea and business development among the campus community and Near West Side residents. Avery and his wife Mary also teach an innovative course in the College of Business Administration called Milwaukee Urban Business Learning. The class works closely with emerging Milwaukee entrepreneurs looking for business consulting support.
“I have enjoyed consulting with startup, early stage and growing businesses over the past 35 years. I’m excited about the opportunity to join the 707 Hub team in that capacity,” Avery said. “Working with students will introduce me to new trends in the business arena and I find that to be an exciting opportunity.”
Dr. Jeanne Hossenlopp, vice president for research and innovation, said having an intrapreneur-in-residence — a professional with vast experience working within a company to develop ideas and strategies — and an entrepreneur-in-residence — a successful businessperson with expertise in creating businesses and scaling them from the ground up — fits into Marquette’s broader goal of providing students with unique interdisciplinary experiences and the opportunity to create valuable industry connections.
“We are truly grateful to have such talented and experienced leaders make themselves accessible to students and others who come through the 707 Hub,” Hossenlopp said. “In their roles, Paul and Tom will help advance the 707 Hub’s mission, building on the outstanding programming led by Megan Carver and Kelsey Otero, and pave the way for Marquette to continue to help grow Milwaukee’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
