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Thomas Anderson, Ph.D. Senior Director Director, Entrepreneurism Dr. Thomas Anderson is the senior director of Automation Alley and the director of entrepreneurism. In addition, he serves as President of the Automation Alley Education & Research Institute, the Alley’s 501(c)(3). Anderson oversees Automation Alley’s technology business accelerator process, which helps entrepreneurs obtain an external review of their
technology and business plan by a group of experts and mentors from a similar technology field. This process results in feedback and input for fine tuning the business plan and focus, customer and collaborator connections, contract research connections with Michigan research institutions, and in some cases where there is a technology fit, direct pre-seed investment for commercialization Anderson’s prior position was as a strategic consultant, working with a range of clients to develop business plans, seek funding and develop process and decision tools for venture investing. He also gained 20 years experience at General Motors, leading technical research teams in fundamental research, initiating a licensing program for non-competitive applications, forming a National and International Neurotrauma research society, and developing processes to
manage global cross-functional teams. Anderson is actively involved in the community, currently serving as a member of the Technology Advisory Board for EDF Ventures, one of the first venture capital funds to focus on early-stage Michigan companies and technologies. He also serves on the Oakland University School of Engineering and Computer Science Advisory Council, President’s Advisory Board at Walsh College, SpaceForm, Inc. Board of Directors, Michigan State University Corporate Research Park Management Board and the Beaumont Hospital Board of Trustees and Research Institute Board of Governors. Anderson’s education includes undergraduate and master’s degrees in physics and math, a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Michigan, and a master of business administration from Michigan State University. | 