NACC

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Entrepreneurial Center Logo and slogan. Empowering Entrepreneurs, Fostering Innovation, Building Community

Entrepreneurial Center
Empowering Entrepreneurs. Fostering Innovation. Building Community.

Our commitment is to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and nurture innovation from a young age, leading to a more dynamic economy and community. Our mission is to provide the resources, education, and mentorship needed to turn ideas into successful ventures.

At the E-Center, we offer a collaborative environment designed for growth. Whether you need a space to develop your ideas or launch your business, we’re here to support you. As the E-Center continues to grow, you'll gain access to resources, workshops, funding opportunities, mentors, and much more.

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Enterpreneurial Center

246 McCurdy Avenue N. Rainsville, Alabama
256-638-7333
mccurdyj@nacc.edu

Image of Jennifer McCurdy phone 256-638-7333

Meet our Spring 2025 Builders

Over the next 90 days, our Builders will transform their dreams into tangible realities through rapid experimentation, cutting-edge no-code tools, guidance from Builders + Backers network of expert mentors, and funding from our Pebble Fund, thanks to NACC E-Center and a grant from Innovate Alabama.

Name: Barbara Kilgore

Idea Summary:  A generative tool that would increase effective communication in online courses

Bio: I am a dedicated higher education leader with over 16 years of experience in instructional leadership, curricular innovation, and educational technology. With a background in visual communication and instructional design, I am passionate about enhancing teaching and learning through thoughtful integration of technology. This vision has guided my work in both academic and administrative roles, shaping student-centered strategies that drive institutional success.

My career began in the arts and transitioned into education through teaching roles at both the high school and college levels. At 51, I’ve served in a range of leadership positions—including Associate Dean of Instruction, Instructional Technology Coordinator, and Interim Dean of Student Services—where I’ve led strategic initiatives in accreditation, online learning, and faculty development. My experience in project management, enrollment strategy, and instructional innovation allows me to lead with adaptability and a deep understanding of today’s evolving educational environment.

Name: Paul Reed

Idea Summary: A wind-powered external charger for electric vehicles to extend driving range and reduce charging times.

:My name is Paul Hansel Reed II, I'm a millwright by trade. I believe in God and try to follow Him. I'm an inventory of sorts. I've invented several hundred different things you might say from 1 off custom tools for a specific job. My motto is I can build anything with the right stuff and almost anything with the wrong stuff.

Name: John Morr

Idea Summary: A sustainable waste management solution focused on improving the economics and logistics of glass recycling to address contamination and high transportation costs, making it profitable for municipalities.

:A retired athletic trainer from The University of Alabama with 30 years of experience. Married to Dr. Margaret Morr M.D., a family medicine practitioner, and they reside in Scottsboro, AL with their two sons, William, a junior at UAH, and Jacob, a junior at Scottsboro High School. Passionate about stewardship and making a positive impact, John is member and Deacon at Riverside Community Church. He is currently working to establish a glass recycling business in collaboration with local economic development and technical schools.

Name: Lucas Roberts

Idea Summary: A community-driven platform providing shared access to high-quality agricultural processing equipment and educational resources to enable small-scale producers to process and optimize their crops efficiently.

:I am a farmer and a proud transplant to Northeast Alabama, where I’m setting my roots and building a future for my family. My wife serves as the Fort Payne Middle School Band Director, enriching the lives of young musicians. When I’m not at work, I enjoy tending to my orchard, exploring the flavors of local food, and dreaming up new ways to expand my homestead and connect with the land.

Name: Michael Young

Idea Summary: A centralized app that streamlines hiring, vetting, and communication with private investigators, offering enhanced transparency, legal compliance, and efficiency in the private investigation industry.

:I am a husband, father and entrepreneur at heart, I have always wanted to work for me and become successful off of something that I made. I am a fun, creative, engaging person and when crunch time happens I am always counted on to make it happen but now I want to make it happen for me and my family instead of just a job that will replace you the minute you are not there anymore. I have many ideas and I was not sure which one to choose but I have a passion for helping others, a college degree in Criminal Justice and a love for social media and when you combine those three things together you get what I hope is to become “Nosey Neighbor”.

Name: Peter Bruno

Idea Summary: I intend to drastically reduce energy consumption in all types of conditioned spaces by leveraging existing technology and utilizing recycled materials.  My focus will be on obtaining greater R-Values in conditioned spaces that traditional insulation options struggle to obtain due to limited space constraints.

:I was born and raised in Central Florida.  I’m currently employed by Erlanger Hospital and have been an HR professional for 20+ years.  My family and I moved to Northeast Alabama almost two years ago.  We stay busy tending to our home and seven acres.  Our latest endeavors are baby chicks and a garden.

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