Tech 2020

April 12, 2010 we had the pleasure of visiting CEO of Tech 2020, John Morris. Our discussion with John followed a theme of decision points and how these decisions shaped his life. John is a preacher's son of Southern Baptist. He completed his high school diploma at Rhea County High School where early on he wanted to pursue a career as a high school band director. From this early decision he attended the University of Tennessee and majored in music education for one year before he changed his mind. Soon after he chose to attend Chattanooga State and obtained an associate degree in Electrical Engineering which followed a 5 year span working with TVA. The next decision point in John's life was his choice to go back to UTK and complete his bachelor's in Computer Science where he then worked for ORNL for 4 years with a "Q" level security clearance. During this time the desire to work for a small business resided in John but like most first time entrepreneurs he had his fears. After leaving ORNL he took a job with a small business called Consultec Scientific Inc. John was the 3rd employee of a 3 people company which gave him a chance to learn everything about a business and named the CEO after 4 years.
Later on John began two companies: Net Learning and Micro-systems that raised $660,000 and $16,000,000 respectively. The more successful between the two was Net Learning and in 1997 he became the CEO from what started as an idea. Net Learning is a software based learning management tool that was implemented in 500 hospitals clients. This company consisted of 43 employees and sold its first system on December 31, 1997. The main competitor of Net Learning raised over $16,000,000 whereas Net Learning began with $660,000. Net Learning was sold to Thompson Corp in 2004 which left John with the decision as to what to do next. John worked with one other company before he made the decision to stay in Knoxville and become CEO of Tech 2020, which is a business incubator with access to $50,000,000 in venture capital. In 2008 Tech 2020 assisted 214 innovative companies. John is currently working on making the transition from mentoring to actively being involved in start up companies in the area. In closing John believes that "Luck is the intesection between coincidence and preparation."