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UMSL EIC Faculty, Staff and Advisory Board

Scott Morris

Scott Morris
Executive Director

Scott ended a 30-year career in the corporate world where he led Corporate Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, and held Division President roles. He holds a BA from DePauw University, MBA from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, and a DBA from UMSL. Scott’s mission with his second career in higher education is to help students and small businesses learn how to effectively develop and execute growth strategies.

Michael Butler Sr. Michael Butler Sr.
Director of Operations

Michael is Director of Operations overseeing the building and all events. He has managed several accelerators from applications to pitch round, including final judging. He has more than 27 years of technology experience (22 with UMSL) which includes management and educational growth activities at all levels for teachers, students, parents, and administrators. Entrepreneurly driven, Michael is also founder of both a web development and photography business.
Lei Xu

Lei Xu
Assistant Professor

Lei Xu is an assistant professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He obtained his PhD degree in business administration at Rawls College of Business of Texas Tech University. His research area covers entrepreneurial ecosystems, venture capital organizations, and social network analysis.

John Palmer
John Palmer, PhD
Associate Teaching Professor Management Area

Dr. Palmer has over 25 years experience as an educator, consultant, researcher, and academic administrator. He has designed and taught doctoral, masters, and bachelors level courses in management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and business research. He has also published dozens of research studies including focused on entrepreneurial strategies and innovation and performance in small business enterprises. His work has appeared journals including the Journal of Small Business Strategy and the American Journal of Entrepreneurship.
Lei Xu

Darcella Craven

Adjunct Professor

Darcella is an organization assisting veterans, transitioning military and their families with starting and expanding businesses. She has over 25 years of experience in corporate, nonprofit and small business spaces. An Army veteran, she has been featured in numerous articles for her transition from the welfare system to an accomplished businesswoman. She specializes in program implementation, change management, transition and creating group training programs. She holds a Masters from Webster University and is pursuing her doctorates. She is a proud mother of two daughters who are gainfully off her payroll.

John Palmer Marc Bowers
Adjunct Professor

Marc is an Adjunct Professor of entrepreneurship in the UMSL College of Business. He has over 20 years of new product development, product management and business development experience and has managed product launches and created new distribution and dealer networks for product lines across diverse industry segments. Marc is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and an MBA graduate of Columbia University in New York City.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center Advisory Board

Brian Salmo - Chairman
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Charlie Hoffman
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