Lydia Carson, a graduate of UALR’s executive MBA program, has been named to the advisory board of Planet Eureka! USA National Innovation Marketplace.

Carson will represent the interest of small businesses on the board and will join leaders from Fortune 500 companies, research and development businesses, prestigious universities, and federal government programs to help connect businesses with university researchers and independent inventors around the world.

“This program creates an efficient process to make innovative ideas a tangible business opportunity,” Carson said.

Carson founded Balm Innovations, parent company of Omnibalm creams, after partnering with Omnibalm inventor Dr. Bill Gurley in the 2004 Governor’s Award for Entrepreneurial Development business plan competition.