Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Action: Lessons from Gainesville to Your Community

About your facilitators:

Dr. Trenton Hightower

Dr. Trenton Hightower has spent over twenty-five years working in leadership at community colleges. He spent six years as a Coordinator/Manager at Finger Lakes Community College NY, seven years as AVP for CE at Frederick Community College MD,and seven years leading Virginia as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development for all 23 community colleges. Trenton’s last college assignment was Santa Fe College FL, where he led them from deficit to profit and tripped the incubator activity. He is currently the Executive Director for Membership and Workforce Development for the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship. Trenton is also the author of the book, FieldTrip 101 – An Approach to team building. He is a past board member with the YMCA, NCCET, LERN and a local Chamber of Commerce. Trenton holds a Master's in Administration of Higher Education and an EdD in Organizational Leadership.

Karl R. LaPan

Karl R. LaPan was appointed director of UF Innovate | Accelerate in May 2021. He oversees its business incubation and commercialization programs and promotes the entrepreneurial energy and community within the Gainesville Innovation District and Progress District in Alachua, FL.

UF Innovate | Accelerate operates two best-in-class facilities encompassing nearly 130,000 sq feet, has a resident client portfolio of over 90 active companies, an average client wage rate 43% higher than the state of Florida average, assisted in securing nearly $11.4 billion in client invested capital, and since inception, supported over 300 client companies. Since its inception, the UF Innovate | Accelerate program has generated over $25.3B in economic impact, advancing the Gator Nation's impact globally.

Before that position, he was president and CEO of an advanced biometric identification company, NBS Imaging Systems. He started his career at General Electric and worked in six different strategic business units of GE, including Aircraft Engines, Power Systems, Marine Services, Appliances, Corporate Headquarters, and Financial Services. He is also a program graduate of their prestigious Financial Management Program.

Tangela Lofton

Regional Director, Florida SBDC at Florida A&M University

Tangela Lofton serves as the Regional Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida A&M University, leading strategic initiatives to support entrepreneurs across Florida’s Big Bend region. A seasoned executive and community advocate, she provides technical assistance, mentorship, and training that empower small businesses, especially those in underserved communities—to grow and thrive.

In addition to her public service role, she is the Founder and CEO of Sweet Face Wellness and The Juice Bar Miami, ventures dedicated to promoting wellness and accessibility through natural products and healthy food options. A proud FAMU alumna, she is committed to inclusive economic development and advancing pathways to prosperity through entrepreneurship and innovation.

Vince Murphy

Vincent A. Murphy is a retired business executive, having spent 30+ years in leadership roles across a variety of industries, followed by consulting for profit and non-profit enterprises. He recently served as Chairman of the Norwalk Community College Foundation Board of Directors, and Interim President/CEO of the Foundation’s operating company.
Mr. Murphy has led and participated in local and regional initiatives involving the promotion of entrepreneurship within the higher education realm. He has helped design innovative approaches to student and community business creation education within a network of Community Colleges, has provided strategy support for a leading seed-funding venture for college business startups, and has sat on the Advisory Council of the State of Connecticut’s “CTNext” public/private business startup initiative. Lastly, he has been, and is presently, involved in philanthropy with Connecticut and Florida cultural organizations.

Vince is the husband of Beverly Jordan-Murphy and proud father of two sons, and is an enthusiastic reader and hobby novelist.

Kamal Latham

Kamal Latham is an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder who has facilitated over $7 billion in growth as an executive, entrepreneur, diplomat, and analyst. He manages the F-300 AgFoodTech Innovation Park and Business Incubator initiative in Newberry, Florida, which is a partnership between the City of Newberry, the University of Florida, Santa Fe College, trade associations, chambers of commerce, and leading companies promoting business growth. He completed the Florida Business Incubation Association Ecosystem Builder course and launched the F-300 Startup Accelerator.  F-300 won the startGNV Community Builder Award.

Kamal previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority and oversaw tax incentive, financial services, and business programs accounting for over $500 million in annual economic impact. Over $165 million in new investment was announced during his tenure.

Kamal also served as Vice President for Public Policy at the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce in North Central Florida. He advocated on behalf of its 1,000+ members and was principal author of its Small Business Growth report

Earlier in his career, Kamal was a U.S. Diplomat with the U.S. State Department. He was a trade negotiator at Embassy Beijing, the finance and investment policy advisor at the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, and a consular officer at Consulate-General Shenyang. He was a two-time recipient of the State Department’s Meritorious Honor Award.

Kamal earned a Master in Public Policy degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Temple University. Kamal and his lovely wife Jonnel have two children.

Jennifer Harrell
Assistant Director, UF Innovate | Accelerate @ The Hub

Jennifer Harrell is a dynamic ecosystem builder and Assistant Director of UF Innovate | Accelerate @ The Hub, one of the University of Florida’s premier incubation programs supporting early-stage startups through mentorship, resources, and strategic programming. With nearly a decade of experience at UF Innovate, Jennifer has contributed to strengthening and expanding Gainesville’s long-standing reputation as a model for university-industry-government collaboration and entrepreneurial support.

Drawing from a career that spans operations, finance, and strategic planning across sectors including real estate law, hospitality, and higher education, Jennifer specializes in building bridges between founders, funders, and institutions. She brings a hands-on, founder-first approach to ecosystem design—crafting environments where entrepreneurs can scale confidently, innovate boldly, and thrive in community.

A board member of InBIA, the Florida Business Incubator Association, and Alachua Junior Achievement, Jennifer is passionate about sharing practical strategies to help communities unlock the power of partnerships. Whether designing impactful programs for startup founders or collaborating to address local workforce needs, she’s committed to helping others spark sustainable economic growth through partnership and innovation.

Jennifer is a Leadership Gainesville graduate, a recipient of the Startup Mentor of the Year award, and a finalist for the Ecosystem Hidden Gem award. She believes in sprinkling stardust on dreams—fueling founders with the resources and mentorship to turn bold ideas into thriving ventures.

Contact:
📧 harrellj@ufl.edu
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