President and CEO. Research Park Corporation. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Transcription

1 July 2014 President and CEO Research Park Corporation Baton Rouge, Louisiana

2 Introduction The Research Park Corporation (RPC) was established as a public, nonprofit corporation in 1992 by the Louisiana legislature for the express purpose of promoting the development of high technology industries and research in Louisiana 1. The RPC is based in Baton Rouge with a broad mandate supported by a set aside from hotel taxes collected by the state. As established in the original legislation, RPC s specific functions include: creating, managing, and financing research and development parks; increasing opportunities for employment in the state; promoting research and development in the state; promoting cooperation between the public and private sector with regard to research and development; assisting Louisiana State University (LSU) and Southern University in research and development; attracting high technology industries; and attracting prominent researchers to LSU and Southern University. RPC seeks a proven leader for the President and CEO position (President) to lead its plans for bolstering the technology and research sectors in Baton Rouge. The President s portfolio will include: coordinating the work of the region s public, private and not for profit organizations to develop policies that enhance technology and research in the region; advocating for laws and regulations that support research and technology companies; creating methodologies to measure the results of public policies that support technology companies and research these assessments will be used to support future proposals for specific programs, tax incentives, and regulatory changes; overseeing the Louisiana Technology Park (originally developed and currently operated by RPC) which will have its own advisory board; raising funds to supplement current income streams for RPC s broad mandate; establishing metrics of success and reporting on RPC s value added services to the Louisiana Capital Region; and creating new entities that fill gaps in the technology and research ecosystem spectrum (as exemplified by the recent launch of Innovation Catalyst that will provide seed and first round funding for high potential technology companies). 1 Act No. 882, 1 of the 1992 Regular Legislative Session; see also La. R.S. 17:3396, et seq, for current legislation. 2

3 Technology Business and Research Sectors in the Baton Rouge Area Technology businesses form a key part of the community in Baton Rouge. Chemical companies, oil and gas companies, natural resource companies and value added service companies have been the traditional basis of Baton Rouge s technology sector. Within the past decade, these traditional sectors have been complemented by an increasing number of high technology companies in life sciences, social media, mobile, and big data. Some of these new start ups are based on discoveries at LSU and Southern University and others come from community entrepreneurs who see market opportunities for new ideas and products. Research in the Baton Rouge area centers around the two universities in the region (LSU and Southern University) and a growing number of businesses that bolster this sector. LSU research and economic development plans focus on life science, coastal sustainability and environment, energy, digital media, enterprise software, big data and materials science and engineering. Work in these areas is supported by various computing and laboratory services. LSU also supports research commercialization and new company formation through enhanced services to faculty at the main campus, the LSU Agricultural Center (AgCenter), and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The University also operates a research park, LSU s Innovation Park. In addition to Louisiana Technology Park, Baton Rouge has several technology incubators the Louisiana Business and Technology Center, the Louisiana Emerging Technology Center, Springboard Baton Rouge, LSU AgCenter Food Incubator, and Southern University will open up a new business incubator in Entrepreneurial activities are also supported by the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute at LSU. LSU external research and contract expenditures in 2013 were $283 million. A recent notable event that highlights the area s extensive cross sector collaboration was IBM s decision to locate a software development center in downtown Baton Rouge. IBM s move to Baton Rouge will provide not only short-term construction jobs, but also approximately 800 new long long-term jobs. In addition, Electronic Arts operates a substantial game development and test center on the LSU s campus. Nearly 500 students and other employees work either part or full time in this facility. As part of RPC s work to fulfill its broad legislative mandate, in 2013, the RPC board initiated and was a key supporter in creating Innovation Catalyst, a venture development organization that is now raising the first of two investment funds to start and support new technology companies. This will spur further research and development work for new companies created by discoveries coming from LSU and Southern and from community entrepreneurs. 3

4 Opportunities For The New President RPC s board is moving the organization forward as a major leader in developing Baton Rouge s research and technology sectors by accelerating the pace of research and innovation. This year and continuing into 2015 and beyond, RPC will become the premier organization developing policy and strategy for enhancing the technology sector and research within Louisiana s Capital Region. A high priority for the new President will be creating, with the assistance of the many stakeholder groups, a broad plan and roadmap for RPC s future work. The organization s success will be built on coalescing the myriad groups that conduct research and launch and attract high technology companies around a vision that allows for collaboration and cooperation and respects the organizational autonomy of existing entities operating within the Capital Region. This persuasive leadership acumen will require astute and sophisticated leadership from the new President. Representing constituent groups as a cohesive whole will enhance impact with the business community and government organizations and better position the region as an innovation hub and to attract resources. As required, the President will raise funding for RPC s policy and advocacy work. RPC will advocate for funding and support legislation that benefits the region. It will also advocate for knowledge sector jobs and the companies that need highly skilled workers to flourish. RPC will work with Innovation Catalyst and the commercialization programs at LSU and Southern University to build an entrepreneurial pipeline that includes universities, community colleges, technical schools, and even K-12 schools. RPC will use its expertise in emerging industries to foster an innovation environment that provides companies of all sizes, higher education and research institutions, and individuals in the community with new opportunities to create jobs, attract capital, and have long term economic impact. These efforts will explicitly include women and minorities in the region and RPC s efforts will include both core city and regional approaches. Operationally, RPC will endeavor to create better linkages among the existing start up company incubators as well as linking the incubators to LSU s South Campus Innovation Park. This will be made possible by mapping services at each incubator and linking the incubators to both enhance services and reduce duplication. To build out programs to support high technology industries and research in the region, RPC will identify voids in these sectors and create and develop programs to fill the voids. The creation of Innovation Catalyst in 2013 is a model for RPC s future endeavors to fill gaps in these sectors. Examples of future possibilities include 4

5 formation of research alliances, new programs to support centers of research excellence, and innovative business/university partnerships. Success Metrics The President s success will be measured by: adoption of policies that support technology companies and research and increased funding for both; expansion of research support services; better linkages among the existing and any future incubators and enhanced coordination between incubators and research parks; attraction and creation of knowledge-based companies in the region; creation of new entities to fill the gaps in the technology and research sectors such as the recent launch of Innovation Catalyst; and identifying and obtaining grants and other philanthropic support for both RPC and its stakeholders in order to bolster technology companies and research in the region. Qualifications The President will have significant, successful experience developing policies to foster research and development, creating strategies to move policies into action, creating support/advocacy for policies that attract technology industries to specific geographies, and advancing support for research that will lead to discoveries which in turn form the basis for new company start ups and growth of existing companies. Additionally, the President will be goal driven and demonstrate strong commitment to achieving RPC s broad goals as described in this position description. The best candidates will have experience working with multiple stakeholder groups and leading through influence and persuasion. Strong candidates will also have many of the following experiences, capabilities, and personal attributes: Proven leadership skills in working effectively and building relationships with a wide range of constituencies including technology leaders, university faculty and researchers, senior university administrators, business community leaders, economic development groups, and public agencies; Strong communication and advocacy skills, including effectiveness with a wide range of external constituents; Strong managerial skills; A collegial, problem-solving style based on personal integrity and professional confidence; Nuanced business judgment and personal maturity; Strong ethics and high integrity; A demonstrated commitment to diversity; and 5

6 A participatory leadership style. Please send applications and nominations to: Nicholas Brill Brill Neumann Associates 607 Boylston Street Boston, MA Research Park Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. 6