Lately I've been noticing the term "thought leader"and thinking about what it means for the Vermont economy. "Thought leader" refers to an innovative leader in business, science, industry or any other field of endeavor. The term doesn't refer to action yet it brings to mind a thoughtful person of action who bring innovations to life.  I like the fact that "thought leader" brings together the ideals of higher education and entrepreneurship in one tidy concept. Colleges and universities produce thought leaders who leave academia to develop their ideas in the private sector. Vermont is rich with colleges and universities, along with a quality of life that attracts graduates of our colleges and universities to stay in Vermont if they can find a way to do so. If Vermont can nurture and retain thought leaders in a variety of fields, sparking their creative energy and providing the resources they need to bring their ideas to life, I think we have a recipe for economic stability and success. We don't need to be an industrial center or a commercial center, and we are not well suited to that type of development. We can be an idea center, and grow innovative entrepreneurial businesses that are exactly the type of business that flourishes in Vermont.