About
The Tennessee Tech Transfer and Economic Development Council envisions a vibrant, innovation-driven Middle Tennessee where academia, industry, and investment sectors synergize to drive economic growth, enhance prosperity, and foster the creation of cutting-edge enterprises. By leveraging regional university strengths, business acumen, and investor insights, we aim to transform Middle Tennessee into a leading hub for technology transfer and economic development.
model
Institutions of collaborations that act as neutral, trusted conveners of cross-sector institutions and leaders enable and advance long-term regional strategies and investments that create shared prosperity and competitive cluster businesses. The Tech Transfer and Economic Development Council serves as the regional convenor of the academic sector (similar to the role of the Healthcare Council and Tech Council) to support knowledge creation and collaboration for the sector. In addition to the networks supported by the Council for tech transfer, workforce development, and community engagement among the universities, the Council also acts to improve university-business engagement and communications with local capital markets and funds.
Implement
Founded in 2016, the Council engages investment funds, businesses, and research institutions in strategy development and implementation for innovation-led economic growth. The Council lead development of actionable annual cluster economic data, provides strategy frameworks from the Porter Institute, provides process frameworks for cluster creation, case studies on successful clusters and regions, and annual leadership develpment in collaboration with the Harvard Business School. The Council was launched with founding support from Oak Ridge Affiliated Universities and the universities of Middle Tennessee.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to facilitate robust collaboration among Middle Tennessee's universities, businesses, and investors to accelerate economic development and social progress. Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge research, and innovative programs, we seek to:
- Launch and support new business clusters through focused economic research and working groups.
- Enhance connectivity between university research capabilities and industry needs.
- Convene university, business, and investor leaders in the Tennessee University-Business Showcase forums for curated discussions and knowledge exchange.
- Generate impactful reports and publications that drive strategic economic insights and decision-making.
By achieving these goals, the Tennessee Tech Transfer and Economic Development Council aims to:
- Propel regional prosperity and economic growth through improved engagement among universities, businesses, and investors.
- Foster the retention of graduates, intellectual property, and the creation of new businesses from local resources.
- Promote collaborative economic strategies among regional universities and research laboratories.
- Increase private sponsored research to drive new business creation in Tennessee.
- Enhance researchers' understanding of investor and business priorities.
- Engage leading investors and business leaders in the development and implementation of cluster strategies for competitive innovation hubs.
- Strengthen strategic focus through comprehensive economic analysis and reporting.
- Increase the global competitiveness of regional economies across Tennessee.
Council Members (2024)
UNIVERSITY MEMBERS
1. Austin Peay State University
a. Chad Brooks, Associate Provost for Research
2. Belmont University
a. Alexander Assaoud, Professor of Strategy, Massey School of Business
b. Bridget Golden, Senior Director, Fast Forward
c. Josh Yates, Director, Transformational Innovation Hub
3. Cumberland University
a. Dixie Rury, Director of Career Services and Internships
4. Fisk University
a. Latreace Wells, Assistant Vice President
b. Sajid Hussain, Director, Office of Sponsored Research
5. Lipscomb University
a. Brent Culberson, Vice President for Government and Community Relations
6. Meharry Medical College
a. Reggie Holt, CEO, MMCV, LLC
b. Anil Shanker, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation
7. Middle Tennessee State University
a. Keith Gambel, Director, Data Science Institute
b. Brad Tammen, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Engagement
8. Nashville State Community College
a. Johanna Williams, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development
9. Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
a. Olivia Blackmon, Executive Director, Oak Ridge STEM Accelerator
b. Cathy Fore, Senior Director, University Partnerships
c. Ken Tobin, Vice President of University Partnerships
10. Sewanee, University of the South
a. Myles Elledge, Director, Babson Center forGlobal Commerce
11. Tennessee tate University
a. Quincy Quick, Vice President for Research andSponsored Programs
b. Robert Turner, Director of Technology Transferand Innovation
12. TennesseeTech University
a. Carl Pinkert, Vice President for Research
13. TreveccaUniversity
a. James Hiatt, Associate Provost and Dean, Schoolof Business
14. Vanderbilt University
a. Charleson Bell, Director of Entrepreneurship andBiomedical Innovation, The Wond’ry
b. Alan Bentley, Assistant Vice Chancellor, ExecutiveDirector, Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization
c. Cara Ince, Director of Research and InnovationPublic Partnerships
d. Deanna Meador, Associate director of VentureDevelopment
e. David Owens, Executive Director, The Wond’ry
f. Chris Rowe, Executive Director, IndustryCollaborations
g. George Wilson, Assistant Director of New VenturePrograms, Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization
BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT FUND MEMBERS
1. Jenn Adams, President and CEO, AugustBioventures
2. Joe Cook III, Managing Partner, Mountain GroupCapital
3. Rob Dongoski, Partner, Consumer Industries andRetail Practice, Agribusiness and Food
4. Bob Higgins, Chairman of the Board, NashvilleChamber of Commerce; CEO Barge Design Solutions
5. Manisha Shah, Regional Vice President, HCAHealthcare
6. Richard Taylor, Vice President, eTransX
7. Abby Trotter, Executive Director, Life Science Tennessee