He bet his house on a $60,000 CAD system. He’s launched 13 startups. This Friday, they’re both in the same room. 🛠️ Join the hybrid event...
Our Fall 2026 Robins Entrepreneur Series continues at the University of Richmond - Robins School of Business, and this one’s a masterclass in how real things get designed, built, and brought to market.
The format - a fireside conversation with Jim Jernigan and me, live in the EY Innovation Lab and joined from California by Rodger Thomason.
👉 Friday, October 16th.
Rodger is a maker. He started as an aerospace engineer, lost that job in an industry downturn with a young family to support, and clawed his way back, not as an employee but on his own terms. Launching his consultancy meant a 3D CAD system he couldn’t afford, so he borrowed against his home and bet everything on himself. Three decades later, he works across aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer products. His philosophy: “If I can build what I design, then it can be manufactured.”
Jim will join this conversation with Dale Fickett, live from the iLab. Since founding CATEA Enterprises in 1998, Jim’s helped launch 13 startups across consumer products, technology, and global distribution - after senior leadership roles at Coca-Cola, The Franklin Mint, and as a President amp; COO building operations across international markets. He’s also a fixture of Richmond’s civic life, serving on boards from Lewis Ginter to Richmond First, and mentoring the next generation of founders.
Put a hands-on product engineer, a serial venture builder, and a room full of students and founders into one conversation — and you get the picture: from the bench, to the business, and into the market.
If you want to understand what it actually takes to turn an idea into a product, and a product into a living, this is the conversation to be in.
Founders and makers: what’s the biggest bet you ever made on yourself? 👇
📍 EY Innovation Lab, Robins School of Business, University of Richmond 🗓️ Friday, October 16th, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 📖 Full Fall 2026 lineup: https://robins.richmond.edu/professional-experiential/career/events/entrepreneur-series.html
#Entrepreneurship #ProductDesign #StartupCommunity #Innovation #RVA #RobinsEntrepreneurSeries
The Discussion. This series of hybrid events is perfect for budding entrepreneurs, experienced executive mentors cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, early-stage investors, and students exploring innovative product design.
At each session, business founders serve as guest speakers share about their career, their firm's business model, as well as the successes and challenges in the product development process. Participants learn from the speakers’ experiences, discuss valuable insights, and connect with other entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and investors.
Logistics. A light lunch is served, as entrepreneurs connect with one another, learn from peers, and contribute to the conversation:
- Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
- 11:30am EST - Coffee & Connection
- 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST - Presentation & Discussion
No pre-registration is requir16d. Join us:
Robins School of Business 102 UR Drive, iLab Room 123 University of Richmond, VA 23173
Parking. Free parking is available in the U5 and U6 lots immediately adjacent to the Robins School. Please enter the main foyer, turn to the left and proceed to room 123 (EY Innovation Lab) on the ground floor.
Please note that visitors have a two-hour parking window.
Please sign in when you enter the room, providing your license plate number.
On Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86930744337?pwd=Yb4mzm4hNYboKII0f94aFbo4wVRnSz
