Craig Bailey is a Minnesota farm boy who worked his way through degrees in toolmaking (Anoka Technical College), psychology (University of Minnesota), business management (University of St. Thomas), and education (University of South Dakota). Currently, Bailey is the cofounder and president of Novum Nano (2019) and has been awarded eight AFWERX awards in nanotechnology-based research. He is an Air Force veteran, past president of Western Dakota Technical College, has a number of publications & patents in nanotechnology, won the 2020 South Dakota Governors’ Giant Vision award, and TechConnect innovation awards for “Novel Nano Oil Additive Reduces Friction and Increases Engine Efficiency” (2021) and “Memristor – Novel Nano Memory Device” (2022).

Bailey serves on several nonprofit boards, including The United Way of the Black Hills (immediate past president), the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame (current president), the Box Elder Chamber of Commerce (current vice-president) and the South Dakota Air & Space Foundation.

Bailey lives in Rapid City, has five adult children, four grandchildren, and enjoys riding his motorcycles through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.