10 Year Review - The University of Akron

ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS
The University of Akron
2001- present
• Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School (Chief Research Officer), 2001-present).
Overall responsibility for the university's research programs and services, Graduate School, technology transfer, and
economic development initiatives. Increased line item for new faculty start-up funds from $1.75M/year to $3.75M. As a
result, external research award funding during tenure at UA has grown from $18M (2000) to $48.3M (2009). In 2001,
established the University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF), a not-for-profit organization that enables UA faculty to
expand into the free enterprise environment, creates a healthy industry/university framework, and establishes a university
hub for knowledge management within the community.
Recognition of UA/UARF efforts in technology commercialization effectiveness has come from the National Science
Foundation, The Milken Institute, the Association for University Technology Managers, the University Economic
Development Association, the Ohio Board of Regents, and the Third Frontier Commission.
• President and CEO; Member, Board of Directors; University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF), 2001-present.
UARF promotes, encourages the research activities of and provides assistance to University faculty, staff and students to
enhance economic development and hold equity positions in the corporate world on behalf of UA: $14M holdings after 9
years. In the past 8 years, UARF has spun-out 23 companies based on University-related technologies and 41 companies
within the community. In the past 12 months, UARF has assisted more than 460 regional companies and entrepreneurs with
business, technical and innovation assistance. Established Akron Regional Change Angels (ARCHAngels), an investment
network that presents leading-edge technologies from Northeast Ohio startup companies and the University to a network of
550 investors and business leaders.
• Institutional Official (IO), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), 2008-present.
Upgraded the biology animal labs to establish The University of Akron Research Vivarium, which houses the laboratory
animal collection to meet the community's needs. Organized the Vivarium under the umbrella of the Vice President for
Research, opening usage campus-wide and allowing maintenance of the highest standards of research as well as security.
• Interim Dean, College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, 2007.
Appointed by the University President to serve during the time between the retirement of the founding dean and the
successful international search for a successor. The UA College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is
recognized as one of the world‟s finest programs and is the largest and most technically diverse in the United States. Its
complementary Institute of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, one of the premiere research and technology
development programs, has transformed greater Akron from the leading tire and rubber manufacturing region to the leading
advanced polymeric materials region, with applications in medicine, communications, housing, and transportation.
• President & CEO, Akron Innovation Campus (AIC), 2007-present.
AIC is part of the outreach and emerging enterprise support efforts of UARF. The mixed-use buildings (currently includes 2
buildings of ca. 70,000 sq. ft.) fill a long-standing need for office space close to UA‟s main campus for UA spinout
technology companies, industry research partners and other innovative enterprises.
• President & CEO, Ohio Research Foundation, 2007-present.
With state-wide collaborations and partnerships already in place, the Ohio Research Foundation provides services for other
state-funded universities, major healthcare providers and Fortune 1000 companies, using the proven economic
development successes of UARF as a template.
• Chairman of the Board, The Akron Research Foundation, 2009-present.
With a focus on wealth creation benefitting Akron regional business interests and community development, the Akron
Research Foundation provides financial, investment and business advice and services as well as a home for investment
HONORS AND AWARDS
Distinguished Award of Council, Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Societies (ACESS), 2006
Crain's "Cleveland's Who's Who in Technology,” 2002, 2003, 2004
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