Arthur Brock

After designing an interdisciplinary degree in Artificial Intelligence at Michigan State University, Brock began his corporate career with General Motors in their Advanced Engineering Systems area working in Artificial Intelligence. He tutored colleagues in linguistics, established the research library, and designed their criteria for Natural Language Processing software evaluation and processes. He went on to work with Chrysler in Expert Systems and later brought his technical experience to Hughes Aircraft in Colorado.

Seeking to escape the confines of corporate culture, Brock started his first business, Artful Solutions. This computer consulting and software design firm developed custom financial software for investment companies and process management tools for small businesses. However, his passion for design did not stop at software or business processes; during this time Brock also invented a highly-efficient, multi-fuel turbine engine, fluid dynamic drag brake and an ergonomic multi-position chair. He also put his hand to graphic design and layout in publishing the Journal for Integral Living serving the holistic health community in Michigan.

Brock’s involvement with youth, through the local youth group he ran, began to draw his interests toward education and community. For Landmark Education he served on a local advisory board, as well as their national technology committee and their operations redesign committee. He co-founded the Foundation for Inventive Learning which sponsored educational programs for youth as immersive learning communities where the students designed their own studies as well as participated in managing the practical affairs of the community. The Foundation also sponsored school which operates on this model – the Alpine Valley School, which inspired Brock’s move to Colorado to get it off the ground.

Brock became intrigued by the possibility of applying this model of a “learning community” to the realm of business and gathered together key people with whom he wanted to create and work – his “dream team.” They founded Dream Team Technologies to demonstrate the viability of this participatory business model. Brock designed and managed the development of Dream Team’s interactive internet platform for collaboration, community building and content management.

His experience in business along with exposure to emerging ideas in economic development led him to seek new ways of overcoming the persistent financial limitations and constraints which seem to plague entrepreneurs, non-profits and community builders. Brock began to design innovative “currency” solutions to stimulate the flow of resources in businesses and communities. He founded Targeted Currencies Network and developed the FlowSpace™ process to identify key success factors in implementing currency solutions. Soon TCN will be launching a configurable technology infrastructure to support businesses and community leaders in the efficient launch and management of these systems for unlocking the latent wealth in our organizations and communities.

Brock also runs The Geek Gene, a collaborative, open source software development company. The Geek Gene build online community tools and has developed a platform for highly customizable currencies, incentives, ratings and feedback tools.   He is also a founder of the Mile High Business Alliance and ColoradoLocalFirst.com