Louisiana Tech University

AURP-NACRO LIVE WEBINAR (DEC. 3)

We're delighted to announce AURP’s "2024 Awards of Excellence in Innovation" honorees with Tech Port San Antonio receiving AURP's 2024 “Outstanding Innovation District” award. 

Check out the inspiring video by Tech Port San Antonio!

Our congratulations to all of our distinguished honorees and their teams! (photo, l-r):

• AURP AWARDS CHAIR

Harry Brislin, MBA, Secretary, AURP; Executive Director of Real Estate Services & Asset Management with USA Technology and Research Park, University of South Alabama

• INNOVATION | LOCUST LASER WEAPON SYSTEM, BLUEHALO

Rich McAdams, MBA, PMP, CISSP, Senior Vice President of Operations and Deputy General Manager, Armed Forces Portfolio, with BlueHalo

• LEADERSHIP | THE WALTON FAMILY CHARITABLE SUPPORT FOUNDATION

Dr. Naccaman Williams, Director of Special Projects, with The Walton Family Foundation

• AURP PRESIDENT ELECT 2025-2026

Allison Madden, MBA, Corporate Secretary and Chief Operating Officer with the University of South Florida Research Park

• INNOVATION | DREAMSCAPE LEARN

Chris Huff, Vice President of Academic Partnerships, Dreamscape Learn

• OUTSTANDING INNOVATION DISTRICT | TECH PORT SAN ANTONIO

Jim Perschbach, President and CEO of Tech Port San Antonio

• CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Dan Berglund, President and CEO of SSTI (not pictured)

Read more.

For this issue's "One Text With . . . ", we're happy to present Matt Ballard, CEO/Executive Director of West Virginia Regional Technology Park (WVRTP).

AURP: "Hi Matt – AURP here – what's a big new development or project going on at the WVRTP?"

Matt: "The State of West Virginia has selected the WVRTP as its location for a new consolidated laboratory facility for state agencies. This $250,000,000 project has been funded by the legislature and design is underway. The project will take advantage of the existing robust and redundant infrastructure at the WVRTP. When completed, the project will bring approximately 350 new jobs to the Park."

AURP: "This is great news! – congratulations, Matt, to you and your team."

Resources & Announcements

Bayh-Dole Coalition Releases New Video on Vital Importance of Bayh-Dole Act 

The Bayh-Dole Coalition has released a new video from its recent 2024 Faces of American Innovation event. With a new Administration and Congress taking office, the Coalition's theme for next year is "underscoring the critical importance the Bayh-Dole Act plays in securing U.S. economic growth and public well-being." Also, AURP's Brian Darmody recently was featured in a Coalition video on the topic of maintaining U.S. innovation competitiveness via the Bayh-Dole Act.  

Laura O’Blenis is the President and CEO of Stiletto: Make a Point: a firm she founded in 2010 after spending a decade and a half working in real estate and property management. O’Blenis was the founding Executive Director for Knowledge Park in Fredericton, New Brunswick and was a co-founder of the Canadian chapter of AURP in 2007.

Under Laura’s leadership, Knowledge Park doubled in size in just four years and went from a negative cash flow situation to cash positive with cash savings. She developed a long-term master plan and sustainable revenue model that has resulted in future investments into the development since her departure. In her previous work in real estate, she worked with retailers and manufacturers to help expand operations throughout North America.

As a leasing professional focused on marketing and business development, Laura brings a tactical approach to strategic planning and implementation support she offers clients through Stiletto that gets results. She has worked with more than 200 clients and helped secure more than $400 million in deals and grants for clients since 2010.

Over the last decade and a half, Stiletto has developed a robust data analytics platform with more than a billion data points and a variety of tools that help position parks, districts and communities for success. 

Laura was previously the President of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Provincial and Federal Government Relations Committees, President of the Fredericton Executive Association, Chair of Startup Canada Ecosystem, Chair of the United Way Fundraising Campaign, Director on the Fredericton International Airport Authority, Director for the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, and has volunteered with a variety of other non-profit organizations and charities.

Laura’s happy place is on the water or in the woods, taking in nature as much as possible with hiking, biking and water activities such as canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and boating with her family. She is an avid traveler and has travelled to nearly 40 countries for both business and pleasure. She loves reading novels with a particular interest in historical fiction. She is the proud mom to a 12-year old daughter and Rosie her four-year old black lab whom she shares with her husband of nearly 20 years.

Chad Pittman, a seasoned leader in economic development and technology commercialization, has been appointed president and CEO of the Purdue Research Foundation (PRF). Pittman, who has served in various roles including vice president at PRF, brings extensive experience in fostering partnerships and advancing innovation. His leadership is expected to further the foundation's mission of supporting Purdue University's academic and research initiatives, particularly in entrepreneurship and tech transfer. PRF manages key assets such as the Purdue Foundry, Office of Technology Commercialization and Purdue Research Park, and plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and innovation in the region. Read more.

Andrew Holton, a veteran in real estate development and strategic planning, has joined the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina as its new Executive Vice President and COO. In this role, Holton will oversee key departments, including finance, administration, marketing, communications, and placemaking, while also providing guidance on strategic initiatives and real estate projects. With a career that includes leading multimillion-dollar public-private partnerships and development projects across the U.S., Holton brings extensive expertise in fostering collaboration between public and private entities. His leadership aims to drive innovation and growth within Research Triangle Park, one of the nation's leading hubs for research and development. Read more.​

Iowa State University Research Park is introducing its first residential development, featuring two apartment buildings with 50 units. Construction (via Ames-based Hunziker Construction Services) has commenced on the 4.2-acre site along Collaboration Place, opposite the Research Park's Core facility. The mixed-use project will be executed in two phases, each comprising an apartment building with ground-floor retail and office spaces, aiming to create a vibrant live-work-play environment for recent graduates and professionals. The first building is slated for completion by fall 2025, with the second expected by spring 2026. This initiative addresses the area's housing shortage and is anticipated to attract additional commercial amenities to the south Ames region. Read more.

The Ion District at Rice University has launched the Pickle Lab, a new venue for pickleball enthusiasts, blending recreation with community engagement. Located at the former Sears garden center in Houston, the facility features six courts – two indoors and four outdoors –surrounded by Mexican Sycamore trees from Rice University’s McNair Hall expansion. Open since August, the Pickle Lab is part of the district’s mission to foster collaboration among innovators, students, and the public, serving as a dynamic addition to Houston’s innovation corridor. Read more.

Georgia Tech has officially commenced construction on Tech Square Phase 3 (TS3), a transformative development featuring the 14-story Scheller Tower and the 18-story George Tower, linked by a shared elevator core. The $416,500-square-foot project, expected to be completed in 2026, will include a vibrant outdoor plaza with street-level retail. TS3 will house the Scheller College of Business's graduate and executive education programs and the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, cementing its role as a hub for academic excellence and innovation in Atlanta's Tech Square. Read more.

Arizona State University (home of ASU Research Park) President Michael Crow has been named to the 2024 TIME100 Climate list, recognizing his leadership in advancing sustainability through research and innovation. Under Crow's guidance, ASU has implemented significant initiatives, including the establishment of the nation's first School of Sustainability in 2006 and the recent launch of a state-of-the-art coral research and propagation facility in Hawai'i aimed at restoring 120 miles of reefs. ASU also has been selected by the National Science Foundation to lead a multi-institution enterprise addressing climate change in the Southwest. Read more.

Ohio State University has selected Tishman Speyer to develop the next phase of Carmenton, a 350-acre innovation district in Columbus, according to Columbus Underground. This phase will introduce housing and retail components to the district, which was named Carmenton in 2022 as a nod to the university's alma mater, "Carmen Ohio." The development aims to create a mixed-use community that fosters collaboration among academic institutions, private enterprises, and residents, thereby enhancing research and innovation opportunities. Read more.

#AURPinAction

Economic Impact Reports

Research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs are strong economic, job-creating engines and contribute to economic development in local communities, regions, states and nations.

Our AURP website features current impact studies that illustrate the dynamic impact of university research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs.

Check out Washington University in St. Louis's 2023 Community Impact Report!

We're ready to include your impact report on our website! Learn more.

AURP CAREER CENTER

Check out the AURP Career Center to discover your

next career opportunity, including:



• Associate Vice President for Research Advancement – University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• President and Chief Executive Officer – Nexus Louisiana (Baton Rouge, LA)
• Communications Manager – UC Davis / Aggie Square
• Vice Provost for Research and Innovation – Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, CA)
• Operations and Tenant Engagement Manager – Montgomery College (Rockville, MD)
• Founding Dean – Vanderbilt University (College of Connected Computing)
• Technology Manager – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Intellectual Property Manager – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Associate Vice President for Business Engagement – Georgia Southern University
• Executive Vice President for Research – Georgia Institute of Technology
• Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and Executive Director – Montgomery College Foundation (Rockville, MD)
• President of Speros – Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa, FL)
• Wadhwani Endowed Chair in Clinical and Translational Research – University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences