Raymond  Chauncey, Managing Director, Innovation and Technology Commercialization Ray is co- founder of BETA-1, the Business and Emerging Technology Accelerator. The accelerator speeds products to market by equipping technology entrepreneurs with critical resources, an appropriate operating environment, and a proven process for commercialization. BETA-1 also provides proactive business mentoring, combined with investment capital from several sources. Ray was previously President of Benchmark Technology Consulting, which specialized in business development and expansion for technology entrepreneurs. Prior to that, he served as Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of an Enterprise Florida Innovation and Commercialization Corporation, a business incubator and consulting firm for start-up companies. Ray has assisted over three-hundred businesses, and was a member of the team that developed the North Florida Venture Capital Forum and North Florida Venture Capital Network. Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures he was instrumental in the commercialization of more than 30 products and processes representing $430 Million in annual sales for several large international corporations. The major projects were in Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, and Canada, as he had direct responsibility for North America, as well as support for his global counterparts on all new product start-ups. Ray has held a variety of key positions in functional areas including engineering, research and development, manufacturing and commercial operations. These experiences give him a unique perspective on global technological, economic, political, and cultural environments, as well as the many obstacles involved in the process of technology commercialization Ray earned a Master’s in Business Administration (University of North Florida), a Bachelor's in Industrial Technology, and completed additional Master’s level courses in Industrial Engineering and Technology Entrepreneurship. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Licensing Executives Society, National Business Incubation Association, and the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds. He also serves on several regional Boards and committees, including past Chairman of both the Nassau County Economic Development Board, and Amelia Island Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development committee. Ray was appointed to the regional WorkSource Board (Executive Committee), and the High Skills/High Wage Committee. He is also on the boards of several start-ups, and knows first hand what the problems are in launching new ventures. BETA-1, under his leadership, won the Nassau County New Business Investment Award for 2002, was awarded the Florida Economic Development Council’s Volunteer of the Year for 2003. BETA-1 was also designated as a "2004 Business to Watch" by Florida Trend Magazine.