The Venture Center Promotes Ashley Jones To Managing Director Position
Jones rises through the ranks and takes helm of community programs
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. April 16, 2020 – The Venture Center today proudly announces Ashley Jones’ promotion to Managing Director of Community Programs. Jones will take the lead on the growth and expansion of the organization’s community programs.
Formerly The Venture Center’s Program Manager for Community Programs, Jones has extensive experience in working with entrepreneurs to maximize their opportunities. Amid the current global pandemic, Jones swiftly pivoted all community programming to address entrepreneurs’ current and future needs.
“Connecting entrepreneurs to mentors, businesses to opportunities, and our community to resources has driven my work for The Venture Center since day one,” said Jones. “Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel like a lonely journey. My goal with our community programs is to provide inspiration, create a space for connection, and with the help of industry experts, educate on topics relevant to starting and growing businesses. I am grateful for this opportunity to further The Venture Center’s mission to inspire social and economic change through entrepreneurship.”
The Venture Center’s community programs serve nearly 3,000 people and engage 500 volunteers every year and include monthly programming providing entrepreneurial tools and inspiration, as well as special events driving workforce development and small business scaling.
Wayne Miller, Executive Director of The Venture Center, says Jones’ promotion signals growth for the organization. Said Miller, “Ashley has built a community program addressing every sector of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Arkansas from student entrepreneurs and “how to” workshops to pre-accelerators for local small business owners and investment pitch competitions. Amid a shifting entrepreneurial landscape, Ashley’s experience and passion for entrepreneurship make her a natural leader in this space, and make her the right leader for this time. Our community is lucky to have her in this role.”
Jones graduated from Arkansas State University in 2012 and has been part of The Venture Center team since 2016, and is well versed in designing and implementing programs that empower and connect entrepreneurs and business leaders. To learn more about The Venture Center’s community programs, visit www.venturecenter.co.
About The Venture Center
The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas based Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) that helps entrepreneurs turn their start-ups into viable, high-growth businesses. By leveraging the expertise of a world-class team of mentors, intensive programming, and introductions to the investor community, The Venture Center serves as an engine for economic growth in Arkansas and beyond.