James Davis, an entrepreneur and adjunct professor at LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business, has been named as the new director of the university’s Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute.
Since 2013, Davis has taught in the Flores MBA Program and holds a doctorate in information systems and decision sciences from LSU, according to a news release from LSU. He is also the co-founder and chief technology officer of Health Engagements, a software development firm that specializes in healthcare applications, and a principal technology partner at Damage List, a software venture that specializes in real estate damage and work management systems.
“The ability to see opportunities and approach problems with an entrepreneurial mindset is a very valuable skill to develop in our students,” Davis says in a statement. “We are exploring multiple options to keep our curriculum relevant and our students innovative and marketable. I look forward to that challenge and working with fellow entrepreneurs, past, present and future.”
The Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute promotes the idea of entrepreneurship through education, programs and research. The institute is funded primarily through donations. It also works closely with the Louisiana Business and Technology Center to assist in small business development.
E.J. Ourso College Dean Richard White says he is excited to see the institute grow under Davis’ leadership and that his “academic and professional experience really made him an attractive fit for this dynamic program.”
In addition to his academic and business credentials, Davis is also a former captain in the U.S. Army, lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and a Bronze Star recipient.
“James has a deep appreciation for the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in driving economic development,” says Edward Watson, chair of the Department of Information Systems & Decision Sciences. “His technological background is appropriate given the opportunities and challenges we face today. He has a passion for working with students and for serving his community that is consistent with our mission.”
