People & TBED Organizations

Publisher's Note: SSTI notes with much sadness the March 5 passing of Indiana State Sen. David Ford, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. David was a good friend not only of SSTI's, but also of the tech-based economic development community across the nation. In addition to being a tireless and cheerful advocate for investing in science and technology, he was also a gentleman in the true sense of the word, and we miss him greatly.

David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation, was elected the new chairman of the Northeast Ohio-based Fund for Our Economic Future. Abbott replaces Robert Briggs of the GAR Foundation, who had served as chairman since the Fund was formed in 2004.

Birgitte Ahring has joined Washington State University as the director of the Center for Bioproducts and Bioenergy and as the Battelle Distinguished Professor, based at WSU Tri-Cities.

Eddie Ashworth, president of Research Park Corp., the managing entity of the Louisiana Technology Park, is resigning to become undersecretary of the state Department of Social Services.

The Tucson-based BioIndustry Organization of Southern Arizona, known as Bio-SA, has merged with the Phoenix-based Arizona BioIndustry Association, called AZBio.

Pamela Crowell was named the new vice president for research at Idaho State University.

Monica Doss announced she will step down as president of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development to pursue other opportunities, effective May 31, 2008.

Gov. Donald Carcieri announced his decision to consolidate the Economic Policy Council into an advisory council for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp. (RIEDC). The advisory council will remain in place and the board will be chaired by Gov. Carcieri.

Kurt Faulhaber has accepted a new position with Macquarie Funds Management (USA) Inc., where he will be joining the Carlsbad, Calif., team to help raise and invest a Cleantech fund.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has named former Speaker of the U.S. House Dennis Hastert and Southern Illinois University President and former U.S. Congressman Glenn Poshard as co-chairs of the newly created Illinois Works Coalition.

WESST Corp has chosen Doug Lee as the managing director of its new WESST Enterprise Center.

The Mason City Economic Development Corp. and the Clear Lake Economic Development Corp. will expand their partnership under the auspices of the North Central Iowa Growth Partnership, which promotes economic development for Cerro Gordo County.

John Poate, vice president for research and technology transfer at the Colorado School of Mines, has been appointed to the inaugural class of fellows for the Materials Research Society.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) has selected Brook Steed as the director of its Northeast Regional office in Fort Wayne.

Dennis Thompson was appointed the new president and CEO of the Doyle Center for Manufacturing Technology. Thompson had been the senior vice president of Catalyst Connection, a nonprofit.