SSTI News: A Note from the Executive Director

We try hard to be objective in the SSTI Weekly Digest and to present information without editorializing. This is one of the rare instances that we will not even attempt to be objective. We have several items involving SSTI to report:

• Chris Coburn has accepted a position with the Cleveland Clinic as the executive director of CCF Innovations and chief operating officer of NovaMedics, Inc. CCF Innovations will be responsible for all Clinic activity related to invention disclosures, patenting, licensing of intellectual property, industrially sponsored research, material transfer agreements, technology spin-offs, and collaborating with state and local technology organizations. NovaMedics is a Clinic subsidiary established to incubate start-up companies built around CCF technology. 

As a result of Chris’ career change, he has resigned as president of SSTI and as a member of the SSTI board of trustees. Start-up of the Institute was the result of many individuals, but foremost among those was Chris. His vision, energy, and support were critical both to the creation and continued viability of SSTI. SSTI staff thank Chris for his hard work through the years not only on behalf of SSTI, but also in the area of state-federal partnerships in science and technology.

• Walt Plosila has been appointed to the SSTI board to fill Chris’ seat. Walt is Vice President, Public Technology Management for Battelle Memorial Institute. Walt has been responsible for such nationally recognized model programs as the Ben Franklin Partnerships (Pennsylvania) and industry-led high technology regional trade associations (Maryland).
• Cathy Coldiron joins SSTI staff on June 12 as a policy analyst. Cathy’s prior experience includes assignments with the Ohio Public Works Commission, Ohio’s SBIR Program, the Edison Program, and the National Business Incubation Association.

We wish Chris the best of luck in his new position and welcome Walt and Cathy to the SSTI team.



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