Building the education, innovation, economic development triangle

The numbers from Internet pioneer Barry Schuler, founder and chairman of laser innovator Raydiance of Petaluma, brought a gasp from the 180 attendees at the Business Journal’s Impact Sonoma conference Oct. 20.

Brad BollingerApple Computer, he noted, employs about 25,000 people in the United States.

Foxconn, the Chinese electronics manufacturer, employs 1.2 million.

Though the number is not publicly released, it is estimated 400,000 Foxconn workers are employed making Apple products, he said.

Breathtaking, indeed, but a reality in a globalized economy. But more importantly going forward, said Mr. Schuler, who was CEO of America Online when it was at its peak, now makes wine in Napa and is a self-described “Education Warrior,” the U.S., California and the North Bay can still lead the next wave of innovation and wealth creation.

How are we supposed to do that given our current state of political and economic affairs?