Oct. 18 - Science and Technology Authority Names Commission Members

ST. PAUL – A state initiative to support emerging science and technology companies in Minnesota and bring new technology to market has named its advisory commission, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced.

The Science & Technology Authority was established in July to strengthen Minnesota’s culture of innovation and to ensure a deliberate and measureable path to technology commercialization. The Authority will rapidly deploy targeted business services and financial programs to entrepreneurs.

“The Science & Technology Authority is actively engaged in helping emerging companies and fostering commercial success,” said Dan McElroy, DEED commissioner and Science and Technology Authority chair. “We recognize that these emerging companies are the future of Minnesota.”

The commissioners of the Departments of Revenue, Management & Budget, Commerce, Agriculture and DEED have fiduciary responsibility for the Science & Technology Authority.

Advisory commission members are: Dr. Eric Wieben, Mayo Clinic; Dr. Tim Mulcahy, University of Minnesota; Dr. Art Erdman, University of Minnesota Medical Device Center; Dr. Gail O’Kane, Minnesota State Colleges & Universities; Deb Newberry, Dakota County Technical College; Joy Lindsay, StartTec Investments; John Alexander, Twin Cities Angels; Jim Nimlos, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Dale Wahlstrom, BioBusiness Alliance; Don Gerhardt, Life Science Alley; Pat Ryan, Minnesota NANO/Seagate; Todd Hauschildt, Minnesota High Tech Association/Swat Solutions; Rick King, Thomson Reuters; Chip Laingen, Minnesota Wire & Cable; Mark Willers, MinWind Energy; Randall Giroux, Cargill; Joe Shaw, Syntiron; and Dan Mallin, Magnet 360.

The 18-member advisory commission is preparing a strategic plan and budget request for submission to the legislature in January 2011. 

Advisory Commission member Rick King believes the Authority is an extension of Minnesota's long history of investing in technology. "Initiatives like this and the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force speak volumes as to the dedication this state has made in investing in the future."

You can learn more about the Science & Technology Authority online at www.mnscienceandtechnologyauthority.org. 

For more information about the Science & Technology Authority, contact Betsy Lulfs, executive director, 651-259-7441, or e-mail betsy.lulfs@state.mn.us.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

Upon request, the information in this news release is available in an alternative format such as Braille, large print, audiotape or computer disk.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Communications Office
Phone 651/259-7161 or 1-800-657-3858 ∙ TTY 1-800-657-3973
www.PositivelyMinnesota.com