TECHHELP PROGRAM BASED AT BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY RECOGNIZED WITH NATIONAL HONORS
BYLINE: US States News
DATELINE: BOISE, Idaho
Boise State University issued the following news release:
The TechHelp team based at Boise State University had a strong showing at the recent Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National "Growth Through Innovation" Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Steve Hatten, manufacturing specialist and new product development manager, was named the 2007 Innovator of the Year and Don Hansen, TechHelp manufacturing specialist, was a finalist for Practitioner of the Year. The two were chosen from among 2,000 MEP specialists at 350 MEP Center locations nationwide.
Hatten, based at Boise State, began building TechHelp's new product development program in 2000. Today, as other MEP centers are just beginning to ramp up their NPD operations, TechHelp already has a long history of success helping Idaho companies ideate, design and deliver new products.
"Steve's leadership, his record of success and his pleasant demeanor made it an honor to nominate him for this award," said Richard Jayo, TechHelp business development manager.
Hatten earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Idaho and a master's in manufacturing systems engineering from Stanford. Prior to joining TechHelp, Steve worked 13 years in the aerospace industry where he developed skills in mechanical design, design for manufacturability and manufacturing process improvement.
Twin Falls-based Hansen of the University of Idaho was recognized for the huge contributions he has made to Idaho and the entire MEP system in only his second year on the job.
"Don is a consummate contributor, a team player extraordinaire and has done more for manufacturers in Idaho in the last two years than anyone before him," Jayo said.
During a 30-year career in manufacturing, Hansen built an excellent record of establishing and maintaining successful relationships with manufacturers. A native of Oregon, Hansen earned a bachelor's in mathematics from Willamette University and a master's in mathematics from Columbia University.
From offices in Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Post Falls, TechHelp specialists provide technical and professional assistance to Idaho manufacturers, processors and inventors to strengthen their global competitiveness through continuous product and process innovation. TechHelp is a partnership of Idaho's three state universities and an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership. It is also Idaho's Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center, targeting economically distressed areas of Idaho.
Contact: Bill Mullane, 208/426-2266, williammullane@boisestate.edu; Sherry Squires, 208/426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu.