Meet the new Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Tom Ledbetter

The library’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence supports, mentors, and educates new entrepreneurs and budding start-ups through office hours and public programs—building an ecosystem that sustains the development and growth of future entrepreneurs in the region.

Tom Ledbetter is a management professional with fifty+ years’ experience in the rapidly changing advanced manufacturing, technology development, small business management, and higher education sectors. To learn more about Tom or to schedule an appointment with him, click this link.

After a 30-year career in manufacturing, Tom was an employee of Midlands Technical College in Columbia, most recently being named Associate Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship and Educational Support.  From 2003 to early 2024, Mr. Ledbetter worked with students, faculty, and staff at MTC, and with members of our service community to assist in the startup of a new business, or in the “pivoting” of an existing business.

Now retired, Mr. Ledbetter is pursuing/scaling his own businesses, Next Phase Management LLC, established in 2002 as a small business consultant, and 17/20 Professional Cutlery Sharpening Services LLC, established in 2022.