Ed Lahue is the Innovation and Technology Counselor for the University of Missouri Extension, where he supports the Missouri Small Business Development Center in St. Louis. With 37 years of experience, he has an extensive background in innovation, strategic marketing and branding. His industry experience includes consumer products, healthcare and various industrial sectors. Lahue helps tech start-ups and established businesses to expand their innovation efforts. He counsels on new business modeling, identifying viable target markets, revenue generation and go-to-market branding/marketing. In addition, he is helping start-up companies obtain grants through Small Business Innovation Research. Lahue previously led the marketing function in healthcare with Ascension Health in Evansville, Indiana and SSM Health system in St. Louis. Prior to healthcare, he founded The ELM Group, a consulting firm focused on strategic planning, marketing and new product development. Clients included ConAgra, Slim-Fast and Vectren Energy. Lahue started his career in the consumer products industry with The Dial Corporation, Borden and Bristol Myers Squibb. In addition to launching several new products, Lahue has marketed household brand names such as Gerber, Borden, Enfamil, EnfaGrow, Purex and ReaLemon.