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Lee Watson

Government & Politics

Forge Institute to Collaborate With Air Force

The partnership will aim to help the Air Force leverage digital tools like robotic process automation, artificial intelligence and cloud capabilities. read more >
Government & Politics / Small Business

Forge Institute Launches Accelerator for Defense Tech Startups

Forge Institute of Little Rock has launched Phoenix Xcelerator, a 12-week program designed to support defense and aerospace startups and strengthen Arkansas' defense innovation sector. read more >

Forge Institute Adds 2 to Advisory Board

Both have worked with the CIA and have years of experience in cybersecurity. read more >
Education

Forge Institute Adds 2 to Leadership Team

Daniel Ross is the new chief growth officer and Jim Schnoes is the new chief financial and compliance officer. read more >
Business Services / Education / Energy

Arkansas Universities Build Cybersecurity Hub with $5M GrantLock Icon

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cyber Security, Energy Security & Emergency Response allocated the money to further work at the Emerging Threat Information Sharing & Analysis Center — a sort of cybersecurity clinic — at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. read more >
Banking & Finance / Education / Government & Politics

Arkansas Looks to Utah as a Blueprint for Economic Development SuccessLock Icon

Arkansas Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald looks to Utah as a model when it comes to attracting high-tech industries, ranging from internet startups and biotech firms to pharmaceuticals, defense contractors and fintech companies. read more >
Education / Government & Politics / Investments

Arkansas Leaders See Utah’s High-Tech Success as Model for Economic Transformation

Utah, with its emphasis on research, entrepreneurship and quality of life, has become one of the top states for high-tech industries. Arkansas is looking to borrow from the western state's playbook. read more >
Education / Energy

UA Little Rock Expands Efforts to Strengthen Cybersecurity in Energy Sector

The project is supported by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. read more >
Business Services / Education / Government & Politics

Everything is a Computer: The Importance of Computer Science for Arkansas (Lee Watson Commentary)

Computer science is not just a career pathway, it's part of every single aspect of our world. read more >
Education / Government & Politics

Update: Senate Panel Advances Similar Version of Computer Science Bill

The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday said it's still against the proposal. read more >
Albert Baker, now chair of UA Little Rock’s Department of Computer Science, works with UA Little Rock students in 2018, when he was a visiting professor.
Education / Government & Politics / Nonprofits

Arkansas Ahead of Curve in Developing Cybersecurity Talent

Educators and others in the state are collaborating to fill the talent gap accompanying the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. read more >
Lee Watson, founder of The Forge Institute
Business Services / Education

Consortium Aims to Make Arkansas a Leader in Cybersecurity

The new group's goals include creating “a strategic regional industry cluster in emerging technologies" and aid the creation of more tech jobs. read more >
Lee Watson, founder of The Forge Institute
Education / Nonprofits / Technology

Tech Firm, Nonprofit Build Talent Pipeline

What do North Little Rock’s First Orion and the nonprofit Forge Institute in Little Rock have in common? They’re both building the tech talent pipeline in Arkansas, albeit differently. read more >
Business Services / Government & Politics

Rural Community Alliance Awarded $1M Workforce Training Grant

The grant will allow the Forge Institute to offer its seven-week information technology/cyber fundamentals and 14-week cyber training bootcamp courses for free to more than 50 people. read more >
Education

Forge Institute, Acxiom Announce Strategic Partnership

Forge Institute of Little Rock and Acxiom of Conway recently announced a strategic partnership that aims to provide more cybersecurity training opportunities and have Arkansans hired to fill cybersecurity positions. read more >
Education

Forge Institute Partners With 2 UA Campuses on Cybersecurity Research

Forge Institute of Little Rock, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced Tuesday a partnership to advance applied research in areas that support our national defense, including cybersecurity. read more >
Education

Forge Partners with ADE to Provide Cybersecurity Training

Forge Institute of Little Rock announced late Tuesday its partnership with the Arkansas Department Education to provide virtual cybersecurity training to district and school technology staff across the state. read more >
Lee Watson, chief innovator and former CEO of the Venture Center of Little Rock
Business Services / Education / Small Business

Apprenticeship Program Aims to Fill Open Jobs in Cybersecurity

Two new Little Rock technology organizations have partnered to create a 16-week cybersecurity apprenticeship program. read more >
Wayne Miller, Executive Director of the Venture Center
Small Business

Venture Center Names Wayne Miller Executive Director

Wayne Miller, managing director of the Venture Center’s FinTech Accelerator, has been named executive director of the Little Rock-based nonprofit. read more >
Lee Watson, chief innovator and former CEO of the Venture Center of Little Rock
Investments / Small Business

Venture Center CEO Lee Watson Moves to ‘Chief Innovator’ Role

The Venture Center of Little Rock says CEO Lee Watson will move into a newly created position, "chief innovator," and that a former Acxiom Corp. leader, Bill Yoder, will be interim CEO. read more >