The Launch Place’s Board of Directors is a group of business leaders, who recognize proactive approaches to advancing entrepreneurship activity in Southern Virginia will lead to economic prosperity in the region.

Past Board members include: Joseph Cobb, Kelly Fitzgerald, Jeffrey Kohler, Laurie Moran, Connie Nyholm and Candace Payne.

Jan

Jan L. Davis

Board Chair
Retired CEO, ShopperTrak RCT Corporation; Investor, Triangle Angel Partners; and Entrepreneur in Residence

Jan Davis is a retired CEO and active board member for companies in drowning prevention, software, analytics, database and digital marketing and information. These enterprises sell products and services to a broad range of industries, including retail, real estate, financial services and insurance as well as on-line to consumers. She presently serves on the boards of directors of Megalytics, ShowingTime.com and SEAL Innovation and on the boards of advisors of multiple companies, including cultivate social and Market Vue Partners. She is past president of Triangle Angel Partners, an Executive in Residence for the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network and the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship at UNC-Chapel Hill, on the Screening Committee for the Carolina Angel Network and Chairs the Investment Committee for the non-profit Launch Place Seed Fund.

 
Gary Evans

Gary Evans

Board Vice Chair
CEO of Axcel Innovation

Gary Evans career spans four decades and has included roles in a wide range of both public and private sector organizations and academic institutions.  With a background in chemistry, physics, and software development he has led the commercialization of new technologies and has also served in economic development roles focused on knowledge-based industries and has been involved in the creation of more than 20 companies. 

 
Robert Creeden

Robert J. Creeden

Board Member
Managing Director, UVA Seed Fund & New Ventures

Bob Creeden joined the UVA Licensing & Ventures Group in September 2016 as its first Managing Director of the UVA Seed Fund & New Ventures. Bob's experience includes launching the Partners Innovation Fund at Partners HealthCare in Boston, one of the first academic medical center venture funds of its kind in the country. Bob is a senior entrepreneurial executive with extensive experience commercializing new technologies, as well as more than 25 years experience as an early-stage venture capitalist.

 
Jon Horin

Jon Horin

Board Member
Noblis, Director, Air Force Environmental Programs, National Security & Intelligence

Jon has years of experience supporting the Air Force’s Environmental Restoration Program Optimization (ERPO) as a project manager in the chemical/hazardous waste remediation field, including: remedial technology optimization focused on accelerated site closure, performance-based acquisition support, strategic planning, technical evaluation, and guidance support at the program level.

 
Martin J. “Marty” Kaszubowski

Martin J. “Marty” Kaszubowski

Board Member
Technology Mentor, Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP), Virginia Small Business Development Center Network, George Mason University

Marty is an aerospace engineer and spent his early career working on the Space Shuttle, Space Station, and planetary mission planning programs. He served as a Senior Program Director at the National Academy of Sciences’ Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, founded the Hampton Roads Technology Incubator in late-1998, and has been involved ever since in supporting the local, national, and global innovation and entrepreneurial community as a consultant, advisor, investor, mentor, and therapist.