04/29/2017
"At the I-Open Board meeting today it was decided that we would wind down the operations of The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open) and cease its existence in the next several months. I-Open, in many forms including The Women’s Enterprise Network, Defrag Ohio, Midtown Brews, Tuesdays at Future, and others, was formed in 2004 to succeed The Center for Regional Economic Issues (REI) which was suddenly closed at Case Western University. Betsey Merkel, Susan Altshuler, Ed Morrison, and I founded and administered this innovative economic and community development educational non-profit which was active in many states across the country and connected to entrepreneurial businesses and individuals world wide. We connected with a number of universities and colleges as well as several local corporations to conduct our programs Ed left us for Purdue University to be replaced by Gloria Ferris, Tom Romito, and Emilie Unkrich. Bruce Waltuck and Ken Homer contributed in leading roles for over two years 2013 - 2015.
We all will continue to model, mentor, and teach processes in development that are centered on accountability, collaboration, transparency always behaving in ways that build trust and respect. Thank you to all of those around the world who have assisted us in sharing brainpower and celebrating quality connected places." ~ Dennis Coughlin