Staff Spotlight: John Antonucci, Director of Entrepreneurship
John is the director of entrepreneurship at the Lake Champlain Chamber and the Executive Director of LaunchVT, an organization that provides resources and acceleration programs to entrepreneurs. He recently produced the Let’s Talk Progress speaker series about smart growth and economic development and serves on several committees working to build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. In partnership with Qwerkal he recently created the Connector, a statewide directory of entrepreneurship support organizations, and in partnership with Generator he recently created JUMP/START, a business development program for makers. Prior to joining LCRCC John consulted for businesses and nonprofits and he was a co-founder of the Entrepreneurship Institute for the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont. He has degrees in Economics, Sociology, and Education from the University of Vermont.
What three traits define you?
Loyal, Persistent, Easily Fascinated
What is your personal philosophy?
Do Stuff, learn, and do it better.
What is one thing you could not live without?
My Thermos – coffee anytime, anywhere
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel
What is your greatest fear?Â
Heights
Where is your favorite place to be?
Carse Hills
What is your favorite thing to do?
Mountain Bike
Where is the best place you have traveled to and why?
The Dominican Republic – mountains, waterfalls, motorcycles, sugar cane, coffee, beaches, and ice cold real Coca-cola (sugar not high fructose) in a glass bottle
What is the weirdest job you have ever had?
Patient Attendant at UVM Medical Center – you have no idea.
What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?
Neuroscience, Virtual Reality, and the inevitable syncing of the two.
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
Astronaut – Assuming that in my fantasy world I’m not afraid of heights…
How do you define success?
Mostly doing what you intended to
What is the best book you have ever read?
Night Draws Near – Anthony Shadid
Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I know a real Voodoo Priest from Haiti, and I believe in supernatural forces