BRYSON CITY, NC, June 05, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Zella Jackson Hannum, PhD with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Jackson Hannum celebrates many years' experience in her professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Jackson Hannum's distinguished career is marked by a rare blend of technical expertise, entrepreneurial vision and creative leadership. Most recently, she served as a business development manager and artist brand manager at Gallery Zella in Bryson City, North Carolina, from 2016 to 2026. Under Dr. Jackson Hannum's stewardship, Gallery Zella became a cornerstone of the regional arts community, recognized by the Blue Ridge Craft Trails for its cultural significance.

As the founder, chief executive officer, brand manager and primary art sales consultant for the gallery for eight years, Dr. Jackson Hannum established its vision and mission, developed sustainable business objectives and curated profitable artist events. She also designed the gallery's website with a virtual tour and online store, test-marketed artists and selected those whose work resonated with the gallery's audience. Dr. Jackson Hannum's efforts transformed an initial $40,000 family investment into a legacy business valued at over $1 million, providing support jobs for family members and more than 20 local artists. She built a sustainable enterprise that showcases family artwork for future generations while supporting ancillary jobs within the community.

In addition to her leadership at Gallery Zella, Dr. Jackson Hannum is the owner and founder of Novasearch Consultants & Publishing which she established while living in San Jose, California; it is a role she has held since 1983. Notably, her consulting firm, which specializes in entrepreneurial start-ups and small business development, is internationally renowned for two creative areas: commercialization of new technology start-ups and the launch and expansion of fine art firms. A life-long multidisciplinarian, she has become skilled in both science and arts; she is both engineer and artrepreneur.

Dr. Jackson Hannum's early professional journey included pivotal roles, such as director of entrepreneurship and small business development institute at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, from 2013 to 2014, following her role as a mechanical engineering technology instructor on campus in 2012. Her love of teaching college students began when she was invited to be the first woman to teach math at City College of San Francisco. She has gone on to teach collegiate level engineering and business courses throughout her career 1983-2012 at Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Hawaii Pacific University, Fresno State University, and Fresno City College as well as the aforementioned Ferris State University.

Between 2007 and 2012, she contributed as a manufacturing engineering process improvement researcher at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Before becoming a credentialed researcher, Dr. Jackson Hannum's success as a tech-based entrepreneurship consultant for the North American Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education Initiative from 2008 to 2009 allowed her to advance innovation across borders.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Jackson Hannum's experience spanned management positions within the fine arts sector. She worked under contract as the business development manager at Maestro Pedestals in Rohnert Park, California, from 2001 to 2002. She then served as a manager of content and e-learning at Gallery Row in Reno, Nevada, between 2002 and 2004. Dr. Jackson Hannum also excelled as the business development manager at The GreenHouse Gallery in San Antonio from 2004 to 2006; a twenty-five thousand square foot gallery that she designed.

Additionally, she successfully executed multi-year business development contracts that proved instrumental in the success of a half dozen iconic art firms including Lahaina Galleries based in Maui, Hawaii; Merrill Chase Galleries based in Chicago, Illinois; Sopel Studios in Vancouver, BC, Canada as well as Images International based in Honolulu, HI from 1990 to 2002.

Dr. Jackson Hannum's foundational years included a stint with Dow Chemical Company, where she developed new markets for reverse osmosis aimed at industrial buyers. Reverse osmosis was a well-understood technology but had never before been proven cost and space effective for industrial water purification purposes. Target markets included condominium complexes in Florida that had experienced sea water intrusion into their aquifers as well as food processors and municipalities needing massive quantities of potable drinking water. She lab and field tested this newly commercialized disruptive technology and specified the original equipment manufacturers in advance of Dow Chemical's North American launch which she spear-headed.

At IBM General Products Division, she broke barriers as a systems operations manager, recognized as the first woman, first African American and youngest person to hold this position, managing 40 systems analysts before age 30. She managed the division's central manufacturing information system that drove the tracking, purchase, fulfillment, storage, and just-in-time to the manufacturing floor supply chain for two IBM main frame computer manufacturing facilities located in San Jose, California and Tucson, Arizona.

In preparation for her future, Dr. Jackson Hannum received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1974, a Master of Business Administration in production control and manufacturing process design in 1975, and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering in 2007, all from Michigan State University. She then transferred to Western Michigan University after she received funding to support her research. There she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in industrial and manufacturing engineering in 2012. Notably, she was not only the first woman or person of color but also the first individual to complete this rigorous program as an award recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundations Professoriate Award at Western Michigan University. The award, valued at approximately $250,000, funded her research that resulted in several peer-reviewed publications and a published book. These publications are currently being read and cited by both disruptive technology commercialization researchers and practicing engineers in over 45 countries around the world. In addition to her degrees, she holds a California Community College lifetime teaching credential in engineering from the California Community College Board of Certification.

Dr. Jackson Hannum's civic engagement includes contributing to scholarship funds for high-achieving high school students through Gallery Zella art auctions. She has also become a prolific author. She has published over 100 articles in various magazines and has contributed scholarly work presented internationally. Additionally, Dr. Jackson Hannum has written five books, including the best-selling "The Art of Selling Art," which sold over 50,000 copies, and co-authored a sixth. Her publications span topics such as technology venture management, economic impact studies and entrepreneurship.

Beyond her writing contributions, Dr. Jackson Hannum's expertise in fine art, new technology ventures, and commercializing technology in the U.S. and Mexico has positioned her as a sought-after global speaker and expert witness. As a recognized expert, she has been a featured speaker at major trade shows and conventions around the world. She also hosted the International Art Business Symposium at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and created student symposiums featuring art experts alongside competitions for new-generation startups, initiatives that fostered innovation among emerging artists. As an accomplished fine art photographer and promising painter, Dr. Jackson Hannum continues to explore creative pursuits through painting classes and exhibitions.

In addition to receiving the National Science Foundation Professoriate Award, Dr. Jackson Hannum has been the recipient of several National Science Foundation scholarships and was recognized as Career Woman of the Year for the State of Hawaii. She attributes her success to intellectual rigor, innate talent and surrounding herself with high-minded individuals who inspire excellence.

Throughout her life, Dr. Jackson Hannum has remained deeply committed to mentoring others while balancing family responsibilities with professional ambition. Looking ahead, she plans to open Studio Zella, a space dedicated to showcasing emerging artists and collaborate with local organizations, such as the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre, on initiatives like the Smoky Mountain Arts Festival. She also aims to establish scholarship endowments supporting future generations while continuing her legacy as an author with an updated edition titled "The Art of Selling Art in Your Hometown." Dr. Jackson Hannum's journey, from humble beginnings and rise from poverty through groundbreaking academic achievements and entrepreneurial success, serves as an enduring testament to resilience, creativity and purposeful living anchored by family values and community engagement.

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