One of the most influential names in Kentucky’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is heading to Tennessee.
Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman — executive director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (KY Innovation) at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development — will be leaving her role in Frankfort to become the new CEO and president of The Enterprise Center, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, according to a news release.
Quarterman will start her new position July 15. She replaces Deb Socia, who is retiring.
David Brock, deputy executive director at KY Innovation, will serve as the interim executive director while a national search is conducted for Quarterman’s permanent successor, according to Lisa Bajorinas, the executive director of the six Kentucky innovation hubs.
"Monique has provided exceptional leadership of the many initiatives KY Innovation administers, and for thousands of innovators across the state. Her talent, passion and ability to foster collaboration among a complex set of institutions and stakeholders has helped make this a better and more inclusive state for entrepreneurs," Brock said in a statement to Business First. "We wish her success in her new role. The Beshear administration continues to support entrepreneurs and an unprecedented influx of early-stage investment capital, along with our record-breaking economic development momentum, have primed Kentucky’s innovation economy to make even more progress in the near future. The administration will look to find her successor."
Per the release, Quarterman was chosen out of an applicant pool of more than 240 applicants for the job in Tennessee.
“I look forward to bringing my professional and personal experiences in championing community to The Enterprise Center so that we, together, can reach even more Chattanoogans with technology to improve career trajectories, health outcomes and quality of life,” Quarterman said in the release.
During her time at KY Innovation, she consistently traveled around the state to meet with founders and other members of the ecosystem.
“I want to be in the room,” she said of her statewide travels in a profile story I wrote in February 2023. “I want to celebrate those entrepreneurs in real time, because I can relate to how hard it is to be an entrepreneur, but how rewarding it is as well.”
She took over her position in April 2022, replacing Anthony Ellis. Before that role, she had served as the first executive director of Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV), a role that was then filled by Kayla Meisner.
“Over my career, I have embraced a theme of equitable access; specifically, raising and leveraging resources to empower Kentuckians to live their happiest, healthiest lives. As the executive director for entrepreneurship and innovation for Team Kentucky, I serve Kentucky’s startup, small business, research and entrepreneurship communities to grow, scale, achieve investment and to access new markets,” Quarterman had replied in a Q&A when she was named as one of our 2023 KY Inno Fire award winners under the category of “Ecosystem Builders.”
I first met Quarterman in October 2022 at a Venture Connectors event — the first event I covered for Louisville Business First — where she first talked about applying for a historic $117 million in federal funding for access to capital through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
It was revealed in February 2023 that the funding would be awarded in three phases over 10 years.
Terry Samuel is the president of the Kentucky Science & Technology Corp. (KSTC), which oversees Kentucky's six innovation hubs.
"It has been a pleasure working closely with Monique over the past several years — first as she led KSTC's launch of Kentucky Commercialization Ventures and the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance," Samuel said in a statement to Business First. "Then, as a key partner at the Cabinet for Economic Development where Monique championed innovators and entrepreneurs across the commonwealth. She truly cares about every Kentuckian and has made a profound impact on Kentucky’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Chattanooga is lucky to have her."
Larry Horn is the CEO of Amplify Louisville, one of the six innovation hubs.
"I have had the pleasure of being friends with Monique for over a decade, and it has been a privilege to witness her career soar," Horn in a statement to Business First. "Monique has been an invaluable asset to entrepreneurship in the commonwealth, and while she will be deeply missed, I am beyond excited and thrilled for my friend as she embarks on this incredible opportunity. Her dedication and passion will undoubtedly bring tremendous value to her new role."
Attempts have been made to reach Quarterman, Brock and Bajorinas for comments. This story may be updated.
