TRU-Biz Forum Highlights Entrepreneurship
The next installment of the Chuck and Sherri Woods TRU-Biz Forum will take place from 2:30-4 p.m. April 1 in Violette Hall 1000.
The upcoming forum focuses on entrepreneurship with renowned experts in the area, including; Paul McCain (’12) founder and CEO of Diode Dynamics; Audra Jackson, owner of State Farm Agency and founder and owner of The Gathering Grounds; Mark Fellows (’94) founding investor and executive vice president of product delivery for Tarang Inc.; and Jason Schmidt (’02) co-inventor and co-founder of LumaNail. The event moderator will be Truman student Chase Haustein, president of the Community of College Entrepreneurs.
McCain is the founder and CEO of Diode Dynamics, a U.S.-based manufacturer of high-performance automotive LED lighting. After starting as a teenager in his garage, McCain built the company into an industry leader by prioritizing product innovation, technology-driven operations and domestic manufacturing. Today, Diode Dynamics has more than 80 team members and maintains a strong reputation among automotive enthusiasts, off-road adventurers and specialty vehicle manufacturers.
Jackson serves as a State Farm agent for Kirksville and the surrounding northeast Missouri areas, providing insurance for homes, autos and small businesses. The State Farm – Audra Jackson Agency is currently in its 11th year. In 2025, Jackson opened The Gathering Grounds – a local coffee shop and cafe committed to providing quality coffee and unique food options, as well as a space for fellowship and community within Kirksville.
After a 31-year career in the banking industry, Fellows joined former colleagues to establish Tarang Inc., which redefines how financial professionals engage and grow, bringing AI-powered solutions that drive client engagement, simplify processes and unlock time for building trusted relationships. Fellows retired from U.S. Bank as senior vice president and head of lead management for its consumer lending business lines. Prior to this, he was senior vice president in digital marketing campaign management with Citibank.
As the co-inventor and co-founder of the LumaNail, Schmidt has helped design a patent-pending roofing nail that enhances durability, visibility, installation efficiency and sustainability in roofing systems. With scientific training in biology and chemistry at Truman, a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson in San Diego and his LL.M. in intellectual property and technology from Washington University, Schmidt pivoted from a litigator to a business owner. He is currently bringing his expertise and knack for creative problem-solving into the construction industry, where he is looking to turn his next bold idea into a real-world solution.
For additional information, visit the TRU-Biz website or contact Josh Roland, administrative assistant for the School of Business and Professional Studies, at jroland@truman.edu or 660.785.4346.
The upcoming forum focuses on entrepreneurship with renowned experts in the area, including; Paul McCain (’12) founder and CEO of Diode Dynamics; Audra Jackson, owner of State Farm Agency and founder and owner of The Gathering Grounds; Mark Fellows (’94) founding investor and executive vice president of product delivery for Tarang Inc.; and Jason Schmidt (’02) co-inventor and co-founder of LumaNail. The event moderator will be Truman student Chase Haustein, president of the Community of College Entrepreneurs.
McCain is the founder and CEO of Diode Dynamics, a U.S.-based manufacturer of high-performance automotive LED lighting. After starting as a teenager in his garage, McCain built the company into an industry leader by prioritizing product innovation, technology-driven operations and domestic manufacturing. Today, Diode Dynamics has more than 80 team members and maintains a strong reputation among automotive enthusiasts, off-road adventurers and specialty vehicle manufacturers.
Jackson serves as a State Farm agent for Kirksville and the surrounding northeast Missouri areas, providing insurance for homes, autos and small businesses. The State Farm – Audra Jackson Agency is currently in its 11th year. In 2025, Jackson opened The Gathering Grounds – a local coffee shop and cafe committed to providing quality coffee and unique food options, as well as a space for fellowship and community within Kirksville.
After a 31-year career in the banking industry, Fellows joined former colleagues to establish Tarang Inc., which redefines how financial professionals engage and grow, bringing AI-powered solutions that drive client engagement, simplify processes and unlock time for building trusted relationships. Fellows retired from U.S. Bank as senior vice president and head of lead management for its consumer lending business lines. Prior to this, he was senior vice president in digital marketing campaign management with Citibank.
As the co-inventor and co-founder of the LumaNail, Schmidt has helped design a patent-pending roofing nail that enhances durability, visibility, installation efficiency and sustainability in roofing systems. With scientific training in biology and chemistry at Truman, a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson in San Diego and his LL.M. in intellectual property and technology from Washington University, Schmidt pivoted from a litigator to a business owner. He is currently bringing his expertise and knack for creative problem-solving into the construction industry, where he is looking to turn his next bold idea into a real-world solution.
For additional information, visit the TRU-Biz website or contact Josh Roland, administrative assistant for the School of Business and Professional Studies, at jroland@truman.edu or 660.785.4346.
