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Economic Development Leader Rich Lunak Joins SSTI Board

February 07, 2014
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Rich Luank, President & CEO of Innovation Works, recently was elected to the State Science and Technology (SSTI) Board of Trustees. Lunak will assist in providing strategic guidance and oversight of SSTI’s operations as the group works to encourage economic growth through science, technology and innovation.

“Rich is an accomplished leader who brings policy experience and a technical background to the field,” said Dan Berglund, SSTI president and CEO. “We are honored to have him helping SSTI grow and further its mission.”

“I’m excited to join the SSTI Board of Trustees. As a leader of a venture development organization, I know first-hand the important role SSTI performs in identifying and setting best practices, connecting people, and advocating for innovative solutions to regional, statewide and national economic issues related to technology and science. I'm looking forward to helping SSTI and its members improve U.S. competitiveness and innovation,” Lunak said.

As part of a statewide network that brings together talent, ideas and technologies to serve as a catalyst for advancing the state’s knowledge-based economy, Innovation Works invests capital, business expertise and other resources into high-potential companies with the greatest likelihood for regional economic impact.

Prior to joining Innovation Works in 2005, Lunak helped lead Automated Healthcare, a three-person startup, to a $65 million acquisition by McKesson Corporation, the nation’s 16th largest company. He also became Group President, McKesson Corporation, where he was responsible for acquiring new technologies and the design, development and rollout of numerous robotic automated and software products. He holds several U.S. patents, and is a guest lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon.

The SSTI Board of Trustees, led by former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, represents government, higher education and industry and provides leadership and direction for the organization’s 170 members, which include state and local tech-based economic development orgaizatons, universities, industry-specific technology councils and nonprofit organizations. Learn more: http://ssti.org/board.

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