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If you're new to SSTI's annual conferences, you're in for a treat when you join us in Oklahoma City, Nov. 1-2. Here's what you can expect:

Pam Inmann is the new executive director of the Western Governors Association.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appointed Ranch Kimball to serve as his new economic development secretary.

The Allegheny Conference on Community Development announced the following three staff appointments: Leigh McIntosh was named special projects director, Katherine Needham is a new senior vice president, and Roger Cranville will serve as senior vice president of business investment for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.

Nancy Stark has left the National Center for Small Communities to direct the new Rural Governance Initiative, a joint venture of the Rural Policy Research Institute and the Corporation for Enterprise Development.

Brian Vogt is the new director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade in the Colorado Office of the Governor.

The Association of American Universities has named Pat White to serve as director of federal relations.

Washington Gov. Gary Locke appointed Juli Wilkerson to serve as director of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, replacing Martha Choe, who is now serving as state coordinator for the Boeing 7E7 project.

Several staff changes occur within the U.S. Department of Commerce:

Several staff changes occur within the U.S. Department of Commerce:

Scott Davis will be the new director for the University of Arizona Office of Economic Development.

Dave Eater has announced his departure from the New Jersey Science and Technology Commission.

Jill Felix, chief executive officer of the University City Science Center in Philadelphia, has announced she is stepping down.

Marye Ann Fox, chancellor of North Carolina State University, is moving on to become chancellor of the University of California, San Diego.

Don Gentry, vice provost for engagement at Purdue University, has announced his retirement.

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds has appointed Jim Hagen to serve as secretary of the governor's Office of Economic Development.

Launching a revolutionary market-defining product like the iPod is one thing, but commercializing consumer products built on revolutionary manufacturing processes or new material composition have a much tougher time breaking into existing markets unless the new product comes with a significant cost-savings for consumers or quality improvement that warrants the expense. This is particularly true for technologies, services and products built on an energy conservation, waste minimization or other renewable/green platform.

Synthetic biology, quality of life technologies, fluid power, mid-infrared technologies, and structured organic composites are the five technology areas supported through the new Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) awards announced by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The centers will share $75.3 million to develop cross-disciplinary research programs advancing technologies that address major societal problems and provide the basis for new industries.

In each of the last five years, the percentage of U.S. academic R&D supported by industry has declined. Real dollar expenditures also have declined to only $2.107 billion. NSF wrote in an April 2006 Issue Brief, "The industrial sector is the first source of academic R&D funding to show a multiyear decline since the survey began, in FY 1953...

SSTI's is very excited to be holding its 10th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2006. The event has become the premier professional development experience for the tech-based economic development community, the only event to bring together representatives from every aspect of transforming state, regional and local economies through science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.