Last modified: Wednesday, June 24, 2009
12 business, community leaders agree to serve on IU president’s Economic Development Cabinet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A 12-member group of distinguished business and community leaders with a broad range of experiences and knowledge in the high-tech and life-sciences sectors have agreed to serve as economic development advisers to Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie.
The president's Economic Development Cabinet will meet at least three times a year with McRobbie to provide input and counsel on how the university can best leverage its many research assets into initiatives that will advance both the university's needs and the state of Indiana's long-term economic development goals.
"I am extremely grateful that such a remarkably talented group of people have volunteered their time and energy to help Indiana University find new and better ways to serve the state," McRobbie said. "This will give Indiana University the benefit of knowledgeable advice and counsel from people who well understand the potential of commercializing university-developed technology."
Also serving in the Economic Development Cabinet is IU Vice President for Engagement Bill Stephan, who has statewide responsibility for the university's economic development programs and initiatives.
"Expanding our technology transfer operations will benefit both the academic and research missions of the university by giving us yet another source of funding to grow our research capacity and programs," Stephan said. "It also helps the state grow new businesses and make existing businesses more competitive in the global economy."
The Economic Development Cabinet had its first meeting with McRobbie on June 18 and discussed ideas for how IU could use some $24 million it will receive in proceeds from the acquisition of ANGEL Learning, a provider of educational software that uses technology developed at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Also discussed were potential uses for the new Bloomington incubator building at 10th Street and the Ind. 46 Bypass and possible development of the surrounding area as a technology park.
Serving on the Economic Development cabinet are:
- Gary J. Anderson, M.D., IU Foundation board member; Venture Capitalist in Residence, IU Bloomington Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship
- Gregory M. Ayers, M.D., president, Ayers Medical Consulting, LLC
- Joseph M. Davie, Ph.D., trustee, Joseph and Janet Davie Foundation
- Neil L. Diver, principal, The Development Group
- Harry L. Gonso, JD, IU Foundation board member; partner, Ice Miller, LLP
- Michael L. Hatfield, president and CEO, Cyan Optics, Incorporated
- Mark E. Hill, managing partner, Collina Ventures, LLC
- Scott Jones, co-founder, chairman and CEO, ChaCha Search, Incorporated
- Jane Halagiere Martin, IU Foundation board member; general partner, Village Ventures, Incorporated
- Michael J. Mirro, M.D., cardiologist, treasurer and corporate secretary, Fort Wayne Cardiology
- William R. Neale, JD, partner, Krieg DeVault, LLP
- Anne K. Shane, vice-president, BioCrossroads
