TTDC is a private, 501(c)(3) corporation created by State Legislature in 1998 and tasked with implementing an innovation-based economic development agenda throughout the state. They are aligned with and complementary to State Economic and Community Development Department programs. In 2007, TTDC was revitalized with a $5M investment from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. We aspire to exceed expectations on returns for state investments in innovation economic development and earn a reputation of doing "more with less." Tennessee has existing strength and advantage in building an innovation-based economy; however, today's strength can be lost through neglect and absence of vision. For Tennessee to thrive in the 21st century, the state must improve competitiveness in three areas: Research & Development, Entrepreneurial Environment, Venture Capital Formation. Prior to joining TTDC in 2008, Schmisseur was previously a vice president of the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation. His duties there included industry liaison, strategy, policy and "knowledge-network" leadership. Schmisseur's earlier work producing commissioned corporate histories and other publications led him to work closely with the University of Texas IC2 Institute, which focuses on what the IC2 website describes as "theory and practice of entrepreneurial wealth creation."