ANN ARBOR One of the states leading entrepreneurial training groups the Ann Arbor IT Zone has hired an entrepreneur as managing director with a portfolio to deliver much more valued added services to its members.
Diane Durance, who co-founded and sold a publishing company and a long distance network design business, began her new job on July 12. She founded and was president of HomeRun Services, a residential remodeling business, definitely, she said, not a technology start up.
Id like to see people realize the IT Zone has a lot to offer entrepreneurs, she said, but you dont have to be an IT professional to benefit from it.
Her mandate is to grow the IT Zone founded in 1999 add new members and new sponsors.
Durances coming out party was Tuesday night during the IT Zone’s Summer BBQ. She was introduced by IT Zone President Chuck Salley.
“Diane is a proven entrepreneur,” he said. “Her business leadership and entrepreneurial expertise will assist the IT Zone in growing its membership-based services as well as positioning the organization as a leader in the development of Michigan’s information technology environment.”
Durance is a long time member and board member of Ann Arbor New Enterprise Forum. She learned about the new job through fellow NEF board member Gary Hessenaur, who also is a member of the IT Zone.
Gary mentioned they were looking for someone to replace Lauren Bigelow at the IT Zone, she said. We talked about who might take that role. After I thought about it, I called Gary back and said I might be interested in it. After 22 years of working for myself, I really couldnt ever picture working for someone else, but when the opportunity to work with other entrepreneurs like myself, I found that exciting.
