SSTI Digest

A complete description of this opportunity and others is available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm. The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is seeking someone to serve as manager of cluster and commercialization support programs. This position is primarily responsible for managing MTI's programs supporting the development of vibrant technology-intensive clusters and its activities supporting awardee commercialization and capital access.

Sally Bilancia was selected to replace Sally Bates as the development director in the City of Bangor, Maine. Jeff Coney was named Northwestern University's first director of economic development. Dr. Paul Kedrosky has joined the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a senior fellow. Peter Longo was appointed president and executive director of Connecticut Innovations. Longo previously served as the organization's deputy director and acting executive director.

Sally Bilancia was selected to replace Sally Bates as the development director in the City of Bangor, Maine.

Jeff Coney was named Northwestern University's first director of economic development.

Dr. Paul Kedrosky has joined the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a senior fellow.

Peter Longo was appointed president and executive director of Connecticut Innovations. Longo previously served as the organization's deputy director and acting executive director.

Hamid Ghandehari and Marc Porter, two prominent scientists in the field of nanotechnology, recently were hired by the University of Utah as part of the state's new Utah Science Technology and Research initiative. Ghandehari comes from the University of Maryland, while Porter comes from Arizona State University.

Carlos Romero, a University of New Mexico employee who previously oversaw the university's governmental affairs office, is now its associate vice president for research administration.

Frank Sabatine has been appointed to the newly created position of associate vice president of economic development and community engagement at Ball State University.

John Wilkinson was promoted to minister of research and innovation in the Ontario cabinet.

Voters in four states will consider several TBED-related measures at the polls next week, including a $3 billion cancer research proposal, state funding for stem cell research, and an R&D bond proposal to spark job creation in emerging technology sectors.   Texas Texas voters will consider 16 separate ballot items this year, including Proposition 15, a bond proposal to authorize the state to issue $300 million a year in bonds over 10 years for grants to fund scientific research at the newly created Cancer Prevention and Research Institute. Gov. Rick Perry signed HB 14 earlier this year, establishing the institute and dedicating funding of up to $3 billion, pending a voter approved constitutional amendment (see the June 27, 2007 issue of the Digest).  

Nearly four months into the current fiscal year, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law the biennial 2007-09 budget last week, investing in renewable energy, university R&D and expanding tax credits to attract angel and venture capital investment.   The enacted budget includes $15 million in fiscal year 2008-09 for a renewable energy grant and loan program -- about half of the governor’s recommendation (see the Feb. 19, 2007 issue of the Digest). The program authorizes the Department of Commerce to award a grant or loan to a business or researcher to fund R&D, including demonstration projects into renewable energy technologies, development of renewable energy sources and infrastructure, the commercial application of renewable energy technology sources, and construction of one or more cellulosic ethanol production plants.