Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship Staff

Sara is the Associate Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) and brings expertise in small businesses and non-profits with a focus on fiscal discipline and compliance.

Sara uses her own entrepreneurial background as former co-owner of a commercial/residential contracting and building company to support entrepreneurship efforts on and off-campus. Sara also manages marketing and communication for the CFE. She came to Appalachian State University from her position as Executive Director of Climate Voices US where she served as the primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, media, and the general public.

Sara worked in the accounting department of Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy. She also served on the Board of Directors of High Country Local First.

figlowse@appstate.edu 
828-262-8857

Justin is the Faculty Advisor for the Center for Entrepreneurship and teaches ENT 3060 (Entrepreneurial Mindset and Design Thinking) and MGT 4000 (Organizational Innovation) in the Walker College of Business. His research interests include entrepreneurial decision making, entrepreneurship through acquisition, and family business. In the 20 years prior to completing his PhD in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Justin founded and operated several ventures in the automotive industry, including his first business that was launched when he was a junior in college.  

Justin leverages his academic background and entrepreneurship experience to help students and community members achieve their entrepreneurial goals. Justin has served as an advisory board member, student mentor/coach, and business competition judge.

kentjk@appstate.edu
828-262-6230

As Managing Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Erich helps students and community members develop, incubate and launch new ventures.

Erich brings a range of experience to the position. Most recently, he assisted a start-up international mining company in addressing SEC and regulatory issues, implementing financial controls, securing operating capital, and building relationships with government officials in Guyana South America.

Prior to moving to the High Country in 2008, Erich founded and operated Synaptis, a Raleigh-based software training company. He also brings 11 years of experience at Intel Corporation, where he helped define, launch and implement the Intel Inside Program worldwide.

schlenkere@appstate.edu
828-262-6196

Sam serves as the current Student Ambassador for the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE). In his role as ambassador, Sam hopes to bring awareness about the CFE and shine a light on all the resources it provides to help students, staff, and community. He also wants people to discover how the entrepreneurial mindset can be a positive force in all aspects of their lives. Sam hopes to use his entrepreneurial mindset to make a positive change on campus working towards sustainability and equality.

Sam, originally from Asheville, North Carolina, is a Junior planning to graduate in May 2022 with a double major in management and marketing with a concentration in sales. While here at App State, Sam has started his own venture operating a small business that helps students and tourists connect with all the beautiful nature the High Country has to offer.

cheathamst@appstate.edu
828-676-4817

Sirisha served as the first Student Ambassador for the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE). In her role as ambassador, Sirisha helped promote what was happening at the Center, helped bring awareness about what the CFE had to offer students, faculty, and community members, and tirelessly infused those around her with joy and hope for the future.

Sirisha, originally from Cary, North Carolina, graduated in May 2020 with a degree in business management. She is the co-founder of a branch of a nonprofit organization called CORD, which reaches out to rural areas of India to help in areas of life such as sustainability, rehabilitation, and women empowerment.

karras@appstate.edu
919-271-1483