Entrepreneur

As a researcher and scholar, Jim Smith's interests focus on developing technologies, algorithms, and business processes that address workforce supply and demand challenges. His work also explores opportunities for youth and community development.

• Computer Assisted Mentoring System (CAMS): A hosted, web-based application that pioneers the use of automated workflow processing, decision support systems, and career pathing. It facilitates the transition from short-term intervention to systematic change.
• Technical Capability Model (TCM): Provides pragmatic guidance to large and small nonprofits in the use, application, and investment of information technology. It is aimed at organizations seeking transformative steps through IT to support their growth objectives.
• Workforce Supply Chain Models: Aims to improve performance in preparing youth to be “college and career ready.” One area of opportunity is incorporating employer demand as the driver of activities designed to achieve this mandate.
• KP Risk Model: Applies predictive analytics to youth development to quantify the term “at-risk” youth. It functions similarly to how the finance industry uses a FICO score to assess credit risk and determine credit extension. The KP Risk Model establishes a student’s overall risk profile by evaluating their academic, social, and professional development to assess needed support services. This model enables more efficient solutions to reduce dropout rates, lower intervention costs, and increase graduation rates. With ongoing data collection, the model is continuously refined and improved.

Jim’s research is dedicated to solving real-world issues by creating systematic solutions for youth, community, and workforce development.

With the rapid advancement of technology, Jim Smith's role as a technologist at Kinetic Potential (KP) focuses on providing certified occupational training under the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). At KP, the objective is to offer certified training for dislocated workers across the U.S., including fields such as Cybersecurity, Project Management, and Healthcare.

• Virtual On-the-Job Training: Jim leads KP’s virtual training programs for youth (ages 18–24), equipping them with essential skills to enhance their career prospects in key industries.
• Kinetic Potential Mentoring and Learning (KPML): Jim assembled and led the technical team, leveraging the collective experience of his diverse team to make informed, high-quality decisions. Through their efforts, they successfully delivered the program online via the Computer Assisted Mentoring System (CAMS), showcasing Jim's experience in leading teams and leveraging technology.

Jim’s work focuses on data collection to power risk models, automate decision-making, and develop eCommerce platforms aimed at scaling impact on families. Safeguarding this data is both a legal obligation and a top priority. With his growing interest and expertise in cybersecurity, Jim is positioning himself to better prepare the future workforce of cybersecurity professionals.

Drawing from his academic knowledge, business acumen, and personal experiences with youth from low-income communities, Jim Smith’s passion for community advocacy has grown significantly over the years.

• Mentoring & Resources: Jim connects young individuals with valuable resources and mentors. By leveraging technology, he aims to guide youth along their career development paths, empowering them to rise above their current circumstances.
• Community Solutions: Jim develops and implements solutions to address challenges impacting communities. He is an avid supporter of mentoring programs for youths. The community projects he undertakes require passion and commitment, qualities that contribute to the successful implementation of these initiatives.

Jim successfully changed the funding approach for low-income students, making his firm a Supplemental Educational Services (SES) provider. This secured federal funds for academic services, a model still used today to bridge funding gaps in public schools.

Jim Smith is a dynamic motivational speaker who thrives on sharing knowledge through teaching, training, and mentoring. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), he frequently offers project management training for both early-stage ventures and growing organizations. His experience as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus has sparked an interest in inspiring and motivating individuals whenever he has the chance.

• Technical Capability Model: Worked on a Proof of Concept for guiding organizations in IT investments.
• Project Management Competency Model: Currently developing a Proof of Concept to enhance project management skills and competencies.