Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/16/2017 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Innovating Alaska Presentations | |
| Robert Tucker - Innovation is Everybody's Business | |
| University of Alaska - Inventions and Economic Opportunities | |
| Global Innovation Award Winners – First Lego League | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
February 16, 2017
1:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mia Costello, Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes, Vice Chair
Senator Kevin Meyer
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
INNOVATING ALASKA PRESENTATIONS:
INNOVATION IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS
INVENTIONS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
GLOBAL INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS - FIRST LEGO LEAGUE
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
ROBERT TUCKER, President and Founder
The Innovation Resource
Santa Barbara, California
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation titled "Innovation
is Alaska's Business."
DANIEL M. WHITE, PhD
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation titled "Supporting
Economic Development through Innovation."
NORA DENNISON and GWYNETH GEIGER, Students
Sand Lake Elementary School
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the First Lego
League.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:31:34 PM
CHAIR MIA COSTELLO called the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Stevens, Hughes, Meyer, Gardner, and Chair
Costello. Senator Begich was also in the audience.
^Innovating Alaska Presentations
Innovating Alaska Presentations
1:32:05 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the business today would be
presentations on innovation in. The presenters are from the
Innovation Summit going on in Juneau today. She welcomed Mr.
Tucker.
^Robert Tucker - Innovation is Everybody's Business
Robert Tucker - Innovation is Everybody's Business
1:34:41 PM
ROBERT TUCKER, President and Founder, The Innovation Resource,
delivered a presentation titled "Innovation is Alaska's
Business." He shared his experience on a research vessel based
out of Kodiak. He noted the connection between innovation and
economic development. He listed three challenges going on with
business today: 1) a lack of growth because business has slowed
down; 2) differentiation - where workers are laid off because
the company's product isn't differentiated from its competitors;
and 3) disruption, such as an economic, technological, or
demographic change which is often hidden from the public. He
used the milk industry as an example. It is down 36 percent over
the last 15 years due to people drinking non-dairy products.
He explained that his job as a researcher is to research the
world's most innovative companies. He discovers what the
companies are doing that is working, or not working, and then
assists them to come up with a better process. He said a cookie
cutter approach cannot be applied and it must be driven from the
top. Successful companies are close to their customers and aware
of their changing needs.
MR. TUCKER related that 15-20 years ago he was asked to speak on
the power of innovation from various ministers of industry, such
as Taiwan and Russia. He said that as he approached the project
working with the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC); he
did a lot of research on Alaska, and Juneau in particular. He
said Alaska is at an economic and social crossroads that calls
upon everyone, leadership especially, to make decisions in the
best interest of the state. He said he finds Alaskans refreshing
and genuine. They are pondering "the fork in the road" in an
attempt to unleash a spirit of innovation.
1:43:33 PM
He continued to say that it all comes back to people's mindsets.
If you're in the defeatist mode, you can't move forward. The
sustainer mode can be a "been there done that" attitude. The
dreamer mode is having ideas, but without an intention to act.
But when we're in the opportunity mode we're coming up with
ideas and are willing and ready to act.
1:45:18 PM
MR. TUCKER related that disruption can be seen in every area. He
spoke to the forces disrupting bike businesses.
He said he interviewed the Alaska Glacier Seafood owners. They
identified innovation as trying to do more with what they have.
For example, they sell pet food byproduct that used to go back
in the water.
He noted for most businesses the rate of change outside the
company is much faster than the rate of innovation inside the
company.
1:47:16 PM
MR. TUCKER defined innovation as a product, process, or strategy
that creates new value for the customer, which, in turn, drives
growth.
He showed results of CEOs' actions and what the CEO did to
achieve very high returns. He provided an example where,
previously, the company had no growth, so the CEO gave rewards
for ideas and pioneered open innovation - he made innovation
everyone's business. Everyone was deputized to work on
innovation.
He used the ski industry as another example of an industry with
challenges. When he looked at what the most innovative companies
did to survive, he found that Whistler started to look for
summer activities. Another resort created a water park year-
round. A Vermont resort started a conference business.
He said he spoke in Medellin, Colombia recently. Poverty and
fear was rampant in the 1970s, but through the efforts of
private/public partnerships and economic development, they began
to question what was going on. He reviewed some of the
innovations they came up with, including gondola transportation.
Twenty-four years later, poverty and crime are down, and
education and civic pride are up. In 2013, Medellin was named
the world's most innovative city by the Urban Land Institute.
1:52:36 PM
He discussed other companies that took action during the
recession of 2008-2009. Hyundai showed a sales increase during
this period by asking different questions. That is often the key
to engender innovative thinking. They asked why people aren't
buying cars. It was because they thought they would lose their
job next year. So, Hyundai gave a one-year, no-cost guarantee,
that if the buyer lost his/her job in the next 12 months, he/she
could return the car.
He made the point that by using and inspiring innovative
thinking, businesses must do things differently in uncharted
territory. He showed several Alaska examples of new businesses
and re-thought businesses. Alaska needs to understand why young
people aren't starting businesses and to figure out how to help
more people start businesses.
1:56:43 PM
MR. TUCKER turned to Alaska's inflection point moment. He
suggested to declare 2018 the year of innovation and to
recognize and promote the state's innovation sector. He
recommended helping small communities transition from resource-
dependent to value-added enterprises and diversify Alaska's
economy. He suggested partnering and collaborating with federal
and state government entities and promoting education and
lifelong learning - the essence of what we all do. Finally, he
suggested partnering with and promoting millennial startups.
1:59:05 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Mr. Tucker.
SENATOR HUGHES said she shares Chair Costello's passion for the
presentation. She asked Mr. Tucker for advice on several books
related to millennial entrepreneurs. One book said we need to
identify the kids that are the future innovators and to come up
with a way to assess those students and support them in middle
and high school years. She asked Mr. Tucker if he has found any
place that has done that.
MR. TUCKER replied it is important to help all students unleash
their potential, although there are some that have a bent toward
entrepreneurship. He said there are a lot of programs for
budding engineers. He agreed with a need to encourage the
business-minded, but noted that the arts have been shortchanged
in the past few years. He stressed the importance of helping all
children to understand that we all have different capacities and
potentials. In the emerging world we need to merge tech and
engineering with the people who are empathetic.
He pointed out that the tourist cluster is an area that Alaska
can really expand - double or triple - because people are
passionate about wildlife and natural surroundings.
2:04:58 PM
SENATOR MEYER commented on why people are afraid to fail. He
stated that success is rewarded, and failures are stigmatized,
which holds people back. He noted that elected officials are
reminded frequently of the state's failures.
MR. TUCKER said that is a topic that comes up a lot in
innovation. In Silicon Valley it is a badge of honor to fail.
The millennials are very risk averse. They are suffering a post-
adolescent identity crisis. He cited the Intuit Company that
celebrates failure, as an example of changing that idea. People
don't want to let colleagues down by failure and that needs to
be made right. To be an innovative culture you need to have
people who are willing to take a risk. Leaders need to
understand and stand behind that. Maybe we need to think about
the stigma of failure all the way back to school.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked the definition of "grit."
2:10:25 PM
MR. TUCKER said he looks at it as bravery and being willing to
take a risk and meet a challenge. It's a great word to focus on.
He predicted that future Alaska generations will look back at
the decisions made at this fork in the road. He expressed hope
that the people and leaders in Alaska will take a different
approach than is being taken nationally.
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Mr. Tucker for the presentation. She said
it has been informative and thought provoking.
2:12:25 PM
At ease
^University of Alaska - Inventions and Economic Opportunities
University of Alaska - Inventions and Economic Opportunities
2:17:52 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and welcomed Mr. White.
2:18:29 PM
DANIEL M. WHITE, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks, delivered a
presentation titled "Supporting Economic Development through
Innovation." He said the University of Alaska is a resource for
economic development. Six years ago, the university started 12
new companies. This was a major transformation that made
innovation everybody's interest. These products are now bearing
fruit. In 2015 UAF licensed 51 intellectual properties to
companies in Alaska. He cited an example of a start-up in the
U.S. due to a research university; Silicon Valley and Stanford
University. He stated that Alaska also has that opportunity.
2:21:45 PM
SENATOR GARDNER asked what happened to start this transformation
six or eight years ago.
DR. WHITE responded that it was a number of things: leadership
changes at UAF and UAA, and having real-world problems to solve
and commercialize. The big gap at the university was to get the
ideas into something somebody could buy, or into a company that
could make the product. He cited Gatorade as an example.
2:25:01 PM
DR. WHITE related that UA does about $110 million in research, a
great investment for the state. The state allocation for
research is about $25 million which is leveraged with research
grants to add up to $110 million. Referring to Senator Hughes'
previous comment, he said there is a startup company in
Fairbanks that develops and uses unmanned aircraft. Several
companies are benefiting from this research.
He discussed how UA research leads to new inventions. For
example, UAF is addressing energy issues for all of Alaska. In
research efforts to develop new energy sources, the university
invented a new way to measure fuel more accurately.
2:28:33 PM
He said that UA research leads to new inventions. UAF research
has produced new software to detect mineral seams and analyze
aerial surveying data. They are studying hibernation for human
applications. The new digital elevation map is leading to
products for mining engineers.
2:31:16 PM
DR. WHITE discussed the benefits of commercialization. The
inventors at the universities receive royalties from their
inventions. There also are benefits to the economy and to the
consumers.
2:32:17 PM
He described the Innovation Cycle. The need is identified first,
followed by UA research, the invention disclosure, technology
assessment, IP protection, marketing, licensing, and industry
growth.
2:34:08 PM
He addressed the Office of Intellectual Property and
Commercialization. It identifies and protects intellectual
property of university innovators. It supports economic
opportunity through licensing UAF technologies and faculty-led
startup companies.
He showed a diagram of the UAF inventor-process. First the
inventor talks to an attorney at the Office of Intellectual
Property (OIPC) looking for a supporting organization or
business, preferably a non-profit. He provided an example of
Nanook Tech Ventures, which is a for-profit company and a
startup company results.
2:36:08 PM
DR. WHITE provided examples of new technologies for Alaska and
the world due to research.
2:36:42 PM
He listed UAF-led startup companies.
He displayed pictures of talented innovators, Dr. Rajive Ganguli
and Mr. Jeff Rothman.
2:38:44 PM
He described methods of investing in Alaska's future: bringing
business and engineering students together on specific projects,
and supporting student innovators and technologies that are
being developed in new university laboratories and centers.
2:39:04 PM
He showed the first startup company from UAF - V-ADAPT, INC.
Several companies based on UAF intellectual property are
launching startups to build new technology under SBIR and STTR
grants in Alaska. Faculty have moved to Fairbanks due to the
unique startup opportunities. UAA has a similar structure. The
two universities are working with their business ecosystems to
try to get as much intellectual property into the hands of
businesses as possible.
2:40:49 PM
DR. WHITE explained the function of UAA ORGS. Faculty, staff and
students submit invention disclosures to ORGS. If they are
selected, the invention moves to the patent process. A decision
is made to license the patent, or form a startup company, then
the new technology is commercialized. ORGS provide incentives
for innovation through awards and the Patent Wall of Fame.
He described UAA patent portfolio and startups. There has been
an increase in patent application filings and over 75 percent of
provisional filings have evolved into non-provisional patent
filings. There have been 8 patents issues since FY11 and UAA had
the first four startups.
2:42:35 PM
He described the Seawolf Holdings, LLC, the company that holds
the intellectual properties. Rhizoform, LLC, was named one of
the top 36 best university startups by the National Council of
Entrepreneurial Tech Tranfer. It makes biomaterial for
insulation and packaging. CFT Solutions, LLC, is an innovative
Alaska company that removes snow and ice by using carbon filter
tapes. Cogniceutic Solutions, LLC, uses nutritional therapy to
improve memory loss. Zensor is a wireless sensor product for
remote monitoring, system management, climate change,
surveillance, and security.
2:44:25 PM
DR. WHITE concluded that Alaska needs business mentors,
investment capital, and confidence to innovate.
2:45:40 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Dr. White.
SENATOR HUGHES asked where the money comes from for non-
provisional patents and whether the university is having regular
conversations with industry about what it needs.
DR. WHITE said the cost to patent varies, but they always look
for the licensee to pay some of those fees. Most companies want
involvement before the product is patented because they want the
claims that fit their company.
He said they have regular conversations with industry to find
out what their needs are. He cited oil, and seafood processing
as examples.
2:51:01 PM
SENATOR STEVENS commented that the university community knows
what you're doing, but the rest of the state doesn't. He liked
the idea of celebrating research successes. He asked how many
people do pure research.
DR. WHITE explained that faculty have different appointments and
categories. There are innovators across the spectrum and the
university has tried to identify the "early adopters." He added
that 90 percent of the research is done at Fairbanks. At
Anchorage there is a lot of promising research in the area of
bio-medical technologies.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what he is doing to let Alaska know what
is happening at the university with respect to research.
DR. WHITE said the Innovation Summit celebration last night will
help. He said he is also a Co-Chair of the State Committee on
Research, which has identified informing Alaska about research
innovators and other Alaska innovators as a priority.
2:57:01 PM
SENATOR GARDNER mentioned the $25 million that is leveraged into
$110 million. She asked if it is a problem that some researchers
take their grants outside of Alaska.
DR. WHITE responded that it is a big concern because faculty
that leave generally takes their grants with them. Alaska's
financial challenges have an impact on that issue. Also, outside
research universities have Arctic Research programs and are
looking to Alaska for faculty. Chancellor Johnsen recently
addressed that issue and said the university must do more to
support faculty and keep them in Alaska.
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Dr. White for the enlightening
presentation.
2:59:55 PM
At ease
^Global Innovation Award Winners - First Lego League
Global Innovation Award Winners - First Lego League
3:07:22 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and welcomed Nora and
Gwyneth from the Sand Lake Elementary School. She described the
First Lego League competition.
3:09:26 PM
NORA DENNISON and GWYNETH GEIGER, Students, Sand Lake Elementary
School, presented information on the First Lego League. Ms.
Dennison said they would explain how the "HotDog" Collar would
work.
The girls continued with their presentation:
They first invited guest speakers and then came up
with 70 different project ideas. Then, they voted on
which project to take on and solve.
The problem was that each year thousands of dogs
suffer injuries and die from the heat and cold. Most
dangerous is when they die in cars.
Many people run errands with their dogs. Most stores
don't allow pets.
Pet owners underestimate how dangerous leaving a dog
in a car can be. Even cracked car windows can be
dangerous. A dog's normal temperature is 102.5 degrees
Fahrenheit and at 104 degrees they are in danger.
On a 75-degree day in just 10 minutes the temperature
in a car can rise to 94 degrees. In 30 minutes it can
be 109 degrees.
People underestimate the amount of time errands take.
In a hot car dogs can show signs of heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke and eventually
death.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion in dogs are: heavy
panting, excessive drooling, a rise in the body
temperature, and an increased heart rate.
The collar will measure the dog's temperature using
prongs that touch the dog's skin so when the
temperature hits a dangerous level it will send an
alert to your cell phone. There are several collars
that we found recently that measure ambient air
temperature, but ours would measure the dog's body
temperature.
The other collars have a limited range of 1,000 feet
and don't work in cars.
The collar would also work in cold temperatures
alerting you on the dog getting too cold.
3:12:58 PM
MISS GEIGER presented the "HotDog Collar" features. It monitors
the dog's body temperature using probes that contact the skin
under their fur. It sends text alerts to the owner's phone if
the dog's body temperature gets too hot or too cold. If there is
no internet connection, the collar itself will make a sound. It
is waterproof. There are different sized collars for small dogs
and large dogs. It has internet/data connections, wireless
battery charging, and comes in different color options.
3:13:30 PM
MISS DENNISON showed a HotDog prototype. She said the cost would
be around $50 to $60 and there could be a GPS tracker in case
the dog ran away.
3:14:07 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked the presenters. She asked if they plan to
take their idea to the commercial market and how.
MISS DENNISON said they might get a grant to take it to the
commercial market, but her dad might make it on his 3-D printer.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if they had thought about adding their
invention to an existing collar that pages the dog.
MISS DENNISON said no, but thought they could add it.
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked the presenters and their Lego Robotic
coaches. She asked how many teams the school has.
MISS DENNISION said two.
3:16:32 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked if they could turn on the HotDog Collar.
MISS GEIGER said yes, but the robot is designed to run on a
specific table.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked how they get to choose their missions and
earn points.
MISS GEIGER explained how they construct the robot and the
importance of having it be fast.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked how many of the missions the robot has
completed.
MISS GEIGER explained that there are many missions in one robot
and they completed about half of them.
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked the presenters and wished their team
luck.
3:18:28 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Costello adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 3:18 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 02 16 UA L&C Comm.pdf |
SL&C 2/16/2017 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Sand-Lake-Lions-presentation-the-dog-who-lived.pdf |
SL&C 2/16/2017 1:30:00 PM |