SSTI Digest

Ramiro Cavazos is resigning as economic development director for the City of San Antonio to become director of research and economic development for the University of Texas Health Science Center, effective Nov. 3.

The Northeast Iowa Business Accelerator named Brian Dalziel as its first regional director.

Connecticut Innovations has selected Frank Dinucci to fill the position of president and executive director, which was vacated by Chandler Howard.

Ray Dizon is the new managing director of the Maryland Venture Fund, replacing Elizabeth Good.

Nathan Feltman was named Secretary of Commerce and president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC). Feltman, the organization's executive vice president and general counsel, replaces outgoing IEDC President Mickey Maurer.

Kelly Lovell is resigning her post as president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth Inc. to head the U.S. subsidiary of International Business Development Group, a consulting company based in England.

The Supercentenarian Research Foundation, a new nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, has selected outgoing Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse CEO Doros Platika as its chaiman.

Ralph Schultz was named president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, effective Nov. 1. Schultz replaces Mike Neal, who resigned in July to assume the top job at the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce in Tulsa, Okla.

John Tortorici is retiring as president of the Software Association of Oregon.

The Louisiana Recovery Authority and the Louisiana Board of Regents recently unveiled a $28.5 million Research Commercialization and Educational Enhancement Program to stimulate economic development within the portions of the state severely impacted by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Funds for this program originate from the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) appropriated by the federal government.   State officials report how Louisiana suffered $400 million in damage to research facilities and infrastructure after the hurricanes. Furthermore, officials report the aggressive recruitment of key research faculty by out-of-state institutions as another threat to future development and economic recovery. While Louisiana had a strong pre-hurricane research capacity, it lacked a coordinated and focused strategy to drive new company creation, market development, and marketing opportunities, according to an action plan developed by the state.   The highlights of the RC/EEP program include the following components:

Early registration has ended and the conference hotel is full, but you still have the opportunity to join representatives from more than 40 states, provinces and three continents at the nations premier gathering of the technology-based economic development field. This is one conference you do not want to miss! Transforming Regional Economies, SSTI's 10th Annual Conference is only three weeks away. The event, built around 22 timely breakout sessions, engaging plenary sessions, and a gala opening reception, will be held in Oklahoma City on Nov. 1-2, 2006. Four intensive pre-conference options, including a hands-on look at the transformation of Oklahoma City, are offered on Oct. 31. The Renaissance Hotel graciously expanded SSTI's room block several times before the place was sold out. Don't despair! Rooms are available in two nearby hotels. Both had rooms available as of Oct. 11: Courtyard Oklahoma City Downtown 2 West Reno Avenue Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 Phone: (405) 232-2290

An assessment of patent activity for 3,200 faculty who were awarded patents at 54 U.S. research universities concluded that 33 percent were assigned outside of the university and its technology licensing offices (TLOs). Furthermore, 42 percent of the faculty members who were awarded patents from 1989 to 2003 bypassed their university and TLO at least one time to attain a patent. In their paper, Full-Time Faculty or Part-Time Entrepreneurs?, Gideon Markman of the University of Georgia, Peter Gianiodis of Clemson University, and Phillip Phan of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute investigate the occurrence of university scientists to privately sell or license their discoveries separate from their university's technology licensing program. This is of particular interest to the TBED community because of the fiscal benefits that universities may collect from patent licensing, especially considering that many universities provide equipment, space, and additional infrastructure that is necessary for successful research.