Entrepreneurship and Adaptability: Bruce Jones and Forty Years of Technology

It was the winter of 1986 and Bruce Jones was sitting in a cold dark room, wearing a heavy military coat. The heat was off, and the only light came from the computer monitor in front of him. He had started his business, Workable Programs and Systems, Inc. (WPS) three years prior. While business was going well, he also knew that as an entrepreneur trying to build his business, he had to save every penny he could so he would sit in the cold and dark to save on the bills.

Forty-years later we can say that Jones is the quintessential tech entrepreneur because of how he has learned to grow a business around his ability to learn and tackle technical challenges with computers in business environments.

SELECT OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECAP

What Happened?

The Ada Jobs Foundation sponsored and attended the first-ever Select Oklahoma Conference on Economic Development on August 28^th and 29^th. The conference featured almost 500 attendees from all over the state, including professional economic developers, education and workforce development professionals, elected officials, chambers of commerce, and many others. The Ada Jobs Foundation was represented by Jim Eldridge and Daniel Castaneda. Ada Jobs Foundation Board members also participated in the conference, including President Wendell Godwin, of East Central University, and Christy Idleman, with OG&E.

Ada's Program in the Spotlight:

Jim Eldridge spoke on a breakout panel titled “Building Tech-Led Economic Development Strategies Across the Urban/Rural Divide” which was facilitated by Heather McDowell with Port Muskogee. He was joined on the panel by Jennifer Hankins with Tulsa Innovation Labs. The discussion was an opportunity to highlight the work being done in Ada with all of our partners to create new opportunities for technology startups, water innovation, and tribal partnerships in our region. It was also an opportunity to emphasize the importance of rural technology and startup efforts being in constant conversation with urban metropolitan technology and startup support efforts.

The Conduit Initiative is launching a new series of monthly events for the Ada Technology Community. The events will feature opportunities for those working in the tech industry, as well as those interested in technology, to network and learn the latest about what is happening in Ada through fireside chats with local industry professionals.

The first event will kickoff on Thursday, September 7^th, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Ada Jobs Foundation

580-235-0070

www.growada.com

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