North Little Rock innovation hub now part of Winrock

Warwick Sabin (left), executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, greets Winrock International President and CEO Rodney Ferguson on Wednesday. The two organizations announced that they are combining efforts.
Warwick Sabin (left), executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, greets Winrock International President and CEO Rodney Ferguson on Wednesday. The two organizations announced that they are combining efforts.

Winrock International added the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub of North Little Rock as a subsidiary, the organizations announced in a joint event Wednesday.

Innovation Hub Executive Director Warwick Sabin, who started the North Little Rock-based nonprofit in 2014, was named director of U.S. programs at Winrock International. U.S. programs are focused on areas that include technology, business, community development, agriculture and the environment.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said at the announcement that the work done by the two organizations will help strengthen the state's economy. Winrock International, named for former Arkansas Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, has traditionally focused on social, agriculture and environmental issues.

"We have to innovate. We have to create. We have to look at what's around the corner. So I'm delighted with this announcement today," Hutchinson said.

Noting the state's 3.8 percent unemployment rate, he added that, "This partnership between Winrock and the Hub will give us a great working relationship that's going to help us build the foundation and continue to build the momentum on job creation and innovation."

No immediate changes to programming or staffing are expected as a result of the Innovation Hub becoming part of Winrock International. Currently the Innovation Hub employs 12. Based in Little Rock, Winrock International has about 1,000 employees worldwide with 200 in the U.S.

Sabin has helped start similar innovation and entrepreneurship programs across the state, and the Innovation Hub recently hosted a delegation from Peoria, Ill., seeking to duplicate the organization's model, which is a mix of programs focused on manufacturing, art and design, plus educational programs and shared working space.

Sabin will replace Annett Pagan, who is retiring after 20 years leading U.S. programs.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for growth and expansion with Winrock," Sabin said. "Right now there is a premium on finding efficient innovation and entrepreneurial strategies in every community around the United States. We can apply what we've established and learned at the Innovation Hub within the context of all the areas of expertise that Winrock already have. ... Leveraging those strengths with our approach means Winrock can really lead economic and community development efforts across the United States."

Winrock International President and CEO Rodney Ferguson said during Wednesday's announcement that his organization would benefit from the Innovation Hub's focus on innovation and community development. Those are not new areas for Winrock, which operates about 120 programs in 46 countries, but they can expand thanks to the Innovation Hub's expertise, Ferguson said.

"We are so lucky to have the opportunity to do this work with the Hub and bring the Innovation Hub into the Winrock family," Ferguson said. "They're doing remarkable, exceptional work."

Business on 06/16/2016

Upcoming Events