Today, we have two representatives from the WET Center at Fresno State: Benjamin Francis, Growth Operating Partner and Samuel Fairbanks, Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist. Francis’s key experience includes investment analyst functions, establishing a successful accelerator program, working one-on-one with ventures to secure funding and growth opportunities. Francis has successfully developed and launched the WET Center’s accelerator program – the only accelerator in the CSU system – and has graduated successful companies. Francis holds a Master of Science in Finance from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship from California State University, Fresno.

Samuel Fairbanks - Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist Fairbanks is the WET Center’s on-the-ground point person responsible for identifying and cultivating the participation of community stakeholders,
partners, and students. He develops, implements, and provides oversight for outreach and engagement activities to solicit and strengthen community interaction. Fairbanks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in
History and a Master of Arts in Education, Administration, and Leadership both from California State University, Fresno. He has 10+ years of experience interacting with a wide range of groups and a deep passion for the Central Valley. He is also a proud Downtown Fresno resident.

This is a pretty optimistic conversation about the state of Ag and innovation in the valley.

Books: 

1. The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson

2. Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers by Geoffrey A. Moore 

3. The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary by Mark Sanborn