Expert Details
Technology Consultant: New Companies, Technology Transfer, and Technology Commercialization
ID: 740231
Florida, USA
Expert's influence extended beyond UF to the University of Alabama in Birmingham, where he previously led the Research Foundation, and later to the University of Texas at Austin, where he was recruited as a consultant to overhaul its commercialization program. He helped launch over a dozen innovative modules and established the UT Austin Seed Fund, fortifying UT’s resources for accelerating startups and fostering industry partnerships.
Since transitioning to consulting, Expert has built an extensive network, advising universities, startups, IP firms, and other stakeholders on effective technology transfer strategies. He regularly collaborates with hundreds of technology transfer leaders and has been a featured speaker at AUTM international conferences, sharing insights on measuring tech transfer effectiveness. He also serves on the advisory board for a $300 million fund dedicated to intellectual property within the academic research sector.
Expert has provided expert witness testimony on complex issues related to technology transfer, patent ownership, and drug discovery. Additionally, he previously served as Executive Director of the Southeastern BIO Investment and Partnering Forum (SEBIO), where he focused on growing the life sciences sector in the Southeast, covering critical industries like biopharma, medical technology, and agricultural biotech.
Expert's impact has been widely recognized, with honors including the 2012 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Florida Economic Development Council and placement on TechJournal South's list of the "25 Most Influential People in Southeast Technology" in 2007.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2000 | Degree: MBA | Subject: Business Administration | Institution: University of Alabama, Manderson Graduate School of Business |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2017 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Founder / Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Providing consulting services in the technology transfer industry including university technology commercialization structures, agreements, and more. Serving as an expert witness and supports startup companies with investor relationships and technology economic development for cities and regions.Expertise includes: • Helping new and established companies find investment and other forms of funding • Linking to strategic partners • All matters of intellectual property from licensing to portfolio management • Writing startup business plans • Crafting winning fundraising pitches • Writing SBIR/STTR commercialization plans • Mergers/acquisitions • Targeted marketing • Legal services representation • Infringement funding, including full contingency • Incubation |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2019 to 2024 | Employer: University of Texas, Austin | Title: Consultant, Technology Commercialization | Department: |
Responsibilities:University’s technology transfer and corporate-sponsored research functions and startup incubators. Working with world-class inventors, investors, creators and entrepreneurs, the department launches startups and collaborates with established businesses to accelerate new products, services, solutions and cures. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2017 to 2024 | Employer: Hutchinson PLLC | Title: Business Development Advisor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Advisor to a boutique law firm for technology and life sciences entrepreneurs. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2017 to 2022 | Employer: Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C. | Title: Business Development Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Consultant to one of the largest law firms in the US devoted exclusively to intellectual property (IP) law. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2001 to 2017 | Employer: University of Florida | Title: Assistant VP, Technology Commercialization | Department: Office of Technology Licensing |
Responsibilities:Oversaw the commercialization efforts for UF through licensing, incubation and other related activities. The technology transfer program was named the #3 program out of 220 in the U.S. by the Milken Institute in 2017. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1995 to 2001 | Employer: University of Alabama, Birmingham | Title: Director, UAB Research Foundation | Department: Technology Transfer Office |
Responsibilities:The UABRF oversees the protection of intellectual property rights for UAB, including the initiation of domestic and foreign patent filings when appropriate, and negotiates, manages, and monitors research, option and licensing agreements on behalf of UAB. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • Former Member, Palm Beach County Life Sciences Advisory Council • Former Member, Cade Museum Foundation’s Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship • Former Member, University of Florida Diabetes Institute |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| • Advisory Board Member, LevelSet Capital (since 2021) • Advisor, Radyus Research (since 2019) • Executive Advisor, Apollidon Learning (since 2017) • Vice Chair of the Board of Directors Executive Committee, Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology (since 2010) • Former Board of Directors Executive Committee, BioFlorida, Inc. (22 years) • Former Board of Directors Executive Committee, Southeast Life Sciences Association (3 years) • Former Chairman of Board Executive Director, Southeast BioInvestors Forum (20 years) • Former Board of Directors Executive Committee, Florida Research Consortium (17 years) |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| • Volunteer of the Year Award from the Florida Economic Development Council • “25 Most Influential People in Southeast Technology Community” by TechJournal South • “Must-Know Contacts” in Gainesville by Florida Trend • Oversaw a program that was awarded Incubator of the Year by the National Business Incubation Association |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Expert served as an expert witness in three technology transfer cases to date involving technology transfer practices, drug discovery and development, patent ownership, and other areas. |