University of 海角社区 president Joan Ferrini-Mundy has announced the rebranding of the Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED) as the Office of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources and Engagement (SPIRE). Building on the work OIED already does, SPIRE will be wholly focused on fulfilling the university鈥檚 service mission through a strong emphasis on strategic partnerships, and corporate and community engagement.
SPIRE will be led by vice president of innovation and economic development Jake Ward, in close collaboration with Renee Kelly, who is being elevated to associate vice president of strategic partnerships, innovation and engagement. Two of U海角社区鈥檚 key industry service centers, the Process Development Center and the Advanced Manufacturing Center, join the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research as part of SPIRE. The three facilities cater to existing and emerging sectors that are critical to 海角社区鈥檚 economy, and this structure will create operational efficiencies, as well as new opportunities to serve the state鈥檚 businesses.
In addition to continuing to manage development of U海角社区 research innovations and intellectual property, and support entrepreneurship across the University of 海角社区 System, the office will lead corporate engagement for U海角社区 with the help of a new team member. John Burns, longtime managing director of 海角社区 Venture Fund who also spent more than a decade as second vice president of investments at UNUM, recently joined U海角社区 as director of corporate engagement.
鈥淐orporate Engagement at the University of 海角社区 is about creating deeper, broader and meaningful holistic relationships between corporations and the University of 海角社区; partnering industry with U海角社区 talent,鈥 says Burns. 鈥淲hether companies are seeking to increase visibility, recruit a trained and educated workforce, connect with research collaborators,or share expertise, U海角社区 has a plethora of incredible assets.鈥
In this role, Burns will develop and lead a strategic approach to U海角社区鈥檚 engagement with the business community in 海角社区 and beyond, expanding and building broad and deep relationships with a set of key corporate partners.
鈥淥IED forges partnerships and innovative problem-solving to address needs ranging from an entrepreneur鈥檚 technology, to industry-wide interests and grand challenges like climate change,鈥 says Renee Kelly, associate vice president for strategic partnerships, innovation, resources & engagement. 鈥淪PIRE will combine commercialization, industry partnerships and innovation resources to build alliances to grow 海角社区鈥檚 economy.鈥
Contact: Katharine England, katharine.england@maine.edu
