Almost 20 years ago, Charleen Combs and Bob Harris found themselves in a quandary.

Their employer, Eastover Mining Co., had been sold. Despite possible opportunities with the new owner, it was clear that the staff would be downsized.

"It seemed like a perfect opportunity to strike out independently," Combs said.

Combs and Harris decided to stay in Harlan and establish their own software development company in 1983. Today, Data Futures Inc. (DFI) has carved its own sizable niche producing and providing administrative software to K-12 school districts and the health care industry throughout Kentucky and several other states. Total revenues last year topped $2 million.

For its achievements and contributions to the regional economy, DFI recently received the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from EKU's College of Business and Technology.

"Data Futures is an outstanding example of how two East Kentuckians used their entrepreneurial talent, drive and vision to take full advantage of an occasion to create an opportunity," said Ewell Balltrip, executive director of the Kentucky Appalachian Commission.

Nominees for the award must reside or have businesses located in a 47-county region of eastern and southeastern Kentucky. Award recipients are determined by the economic success of the enterprise, contributions to the community and operational achievement as measured by innovative employee training programs, superior use of technology and safety achievement, and sustainability.

"Bob Harris and Charleen Combs are excellent entrepreneurs who have developed Data Futures into one of Eastern Kentucky's most successful high technology enterprises," said Dr. Robert Rogow, dean of EKU's College of Business & Technology. "The College of Business & Technology is pleased to recognize their significant contributions to the economic development of Harlan and Eastern Kentucky."

Virtually every school district in Kentucky utilizes DFI products, including the PrimoWare Trans and PrimoWare Route programs that manage bus transportation. Other software products track attendance, budgets, employee certification, food services, maintenance and inventory, field trips, and redistricting.

DFI's rapid growth was almost stunted in the mid-1990s when virtually all the software the firm had developed for school districts was replaced as a result of Kentucky Department of Education decisions. Again, though, Combs and Harris turned a negative into a positive, forming a partnership with MUNIS, a Maine-based company whose financial management software has been implemented in virtually all of Kentucky's 176 school districts.

"That was a real setback," Combs told the Lexington Herald-Leader in April. "We had to either sink or swim, and we decided to swim."

Eventually, the limitations of selling and supporting other vendors' products led DFI back to its programming roots and once again into developing standardized school district software.
Recently, DFI decided to open a branch office in Kingsport, Tenn., to house two trainers/support personnel and three software developers.

"An educated workforce is critical," Combs said. "There are lots of dedicated workers in our region, but many do not possess the skills necessary for high-tech jobs. This is a major challenge and at the root of our decision to expand our company geographically. However, as a positive reflection of the talent that is available locally, we employ 23 Harlan-based staff members, the majority of whom have college degrees.

"The combination of a good idea, a solid work ethic, high regard for the customer and an unlimited market for the company's products are key to success for any entrepreneur, regardless of location," Combs added.

DFI has been an active supporter of the community, with most of its financial support focusing on the K-12 community: cash and in-kind donations for special events, high school graduation tributes, advertising in programs and yearbooks, and more.

Combs and/or Harris have served on the Board of Directors of Harlan Countians for a Healthy Community, on the Kentucky Innovation Commission and on the steering committee for the Kentucky Technology Council, and the firm is a community partner with Intermountain Gear Up, which provides early college preparation and awareness services through comprehensive mentoring, counseling, outreach and support services for at-risk seventh- and eighth-graders.

Combs also co-chaired the development of the Eastern Kentucky New Economy Region Strategic Plan, which became a part of the statewide plan that was announced in March.

Harris' son, Wesley, was a member of EKU's national champion robotics team before earning a bachelor's degree in construction management in 2001. Combs' son, Garson, attended Eastern for one year before transferring to Middle Tennessee State to pursue a degree in recording industry management, a program not offered in Kentucky.