Greetings!    

NETL Holds Business Session in Charleston       

   The U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) held a Business Opportunity Session in Charleston on November 14.

Dr. Anthony Cugini

   Teaming to Win co-sponsored the event, which provided an opportunity for West Virginia small businesses to market their products and services.  Dr. Anthony Cugini, director of NETL, presented an overview of NETL, as well as resources and opportunities specifically targeted for small businesses.  A variety of other state and federal agencies that assist small business participated in the session, including the U.S. Small Business Administration and the WV Small Business Development Center.

Kathryn Johnston, URS; Kristina Oliver, State Director, WVSBDC; Mary Hunt-Lieving, Benedum Foundation

  Senator Joe Manchin delivered the keynote address. The crowd of nearly 200 participants also heard from Senator Jay Rockefeller, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito and Rep. David McKinley.   John Maher, Vice President of Research at Marshall University, and Russ Lorince, Director of Economic Development at West Virginia University, addressed participants.  After the session, TechConnectWV held a networking reception at the Marriott to provide an opportunity to continue the discussion and explore potential collaborations.

New Members Elected to TechConnectWV Board       

   TechConnectWV is pleased to announce the recent election of three new members to the Board of Directors, including Tom Vorbach, Bob Wentz, and Ginny Painter.  

   "We are delighted to welcome these three new members. All of them have strong backgrounds in technology entrepreneurship, economic development, and innovation, which will be invaluable to TechConnect as we work to expand the innovation economy and grow high wage jobs," said Anne Barth, Executive Director of TechConnect.

Tom Vorbach

   Tom Vorbach, a member of Steptoe & Johnson, has more than 30 years of legal experience and is the current leader of the firm's Technology Advancement and International Group. In addition to extensive work with businesses, he has a strong background in working with nonprofits and is a member of the WV District Export Council.

   Bob Wentz is the founder and current CEO of IRC Federal - a leading provider of technology and engineering solutions for the defense and government industry.  He is also the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Allegheny Science & Technology.

Bob Wentz

  With over 15 years experience in leading technology companies and launching startups, Bob has managed technology development initiatives for the Department of Defense, NASA, the FBI, and other government agencies.

   Ginny Painter is the Communications Director for the Marshall University Research Corporation and is responsible for the organization's communications and outreach activities, including media and community relations, publications, advertising, website content, social media and special events. She has more than 22 years experience in non-profit and government public

Ginny Painter

relations and communications, management and administration. Prior to her appointment at Marshall, Ginny managed the communications program of the WV Higher Education Policy Commission's Division of Science and Research and the West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. She currently serves on the board of directors of the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust.

   TechConnectWV is pleased to welcome these outstanding professionals to the Board!   

BioWV to Host 2nd Annual WV Biosciences Summit          

   The Bioscience Association of West Virginia (BioWV), with sponsorship from BIO, PhRMA, Amgen, Pfizer, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, Jackson Kelly PLLC and TechConnectWV, will hold the 2nd Annual West Virginia Biosciences Summit on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, from noon - 7:00 p.m., at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston, West Virginia. 

   This event will highlight the role and impact of the bioscience industry in West Virginia and the region, showcase research and commercialization efforts taking place at universities in West Virginia and private companies, and discuss policies and programs to help nurture the industry. 

   An agenda will be distributed in the coming weeks. The cost to attend the event is $25 for members, $50 for nonmembers and free to students. Sponsorship opportunities are available, as is exhibit space. 

   For additional information, contact Bryan Brown at (304) 546-5500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (304) 546-5500      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Registration is limited--sign up today at: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=58uwdydab&oeidk=a07e53j6gsyf90389b0

   Dr. Andrew Nix, a research assistant professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering at West Virginia University, recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct an experimental investigation of turbine vane heat transfer for alternative fuels. The project, now in its third and final year, has moved into the testing phase in the National Energy Technology Laboratory combustion facilities.

Dr. Andrew Nix

   The goal of the research is to improve the durability and performance of gas turbine engines in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle power plants. IGCC power plants offer a clean-coal alternative to traditional coal power plants as the process offers options to reduce greenhouse gases and produce hydrogen fuels.  

   "The plants produce high hydrogen content synthesis gas from coal in a gasifier and then burn this fuel in a gas turbine," said Nix. "The gas turbine produces electric power and then lends its hot exhaust gases to produce steam to run a steam power cycle."

   Many students are learning about turbine engine durability, a field which Nix says is a hot commodity in the industrial gas turbine and aircraft engine fields. Two graduate students and a post-doctoral researcher will work closely with Nix on this specific research.

   Dr. Mindy Yeager Armstead has joined the faculty of Marshall University's College of Science through the state's Eminent Scholars Recruitment and Enhancement initiative. A nationally respected aquatic ecotoxicologist with 15 years experience in the commercial sector, Armstead will lead an interdisciplinary team of Marshall scientists focused on research and economic development activities associated with the region's water and energy resources.

Dr. Mindy Armstead

   Armstead said, "I'm excited to be at Marshall and look forward to leading a research program that will address some of the most pressing environmental issues in West Virginia and the Appalachian region. Water and energy present tremendous challenges and opportunities for research. I look forward to working with the team at Marshall."

   The state funded the $10 million Eminent Scholars initiative to help attract nationally recognized researchers to Marshall and West Virginia University. The goal of the program is to build university research programs, ultimately leading to business spin-offs, new patents and high-tech jobs at all skill and education levels.

   "The Eminent Scholars program has made it possible for us to hire some of the best scientists in their fields, focused on some of the most important issues facing our society." said Dr. John Maher, Marshall vice president for research. "Dr. Armstead is the most recent of those hires at Marshall and I look forward to watching as she builds this research program."

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

12th Annual IOF-WV Day at the State Capitol and

TechConnect's Forum, "Creating Jobs in the Innovation Economy"

State Capitol Building, Charleston

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

2nd Annual West Virginia Biosciences Summit

Charleston Town Center Marriott Hotel, Charleston  

Wednesday, January 25, 2012  

West Virginia Economic Development Conference

Charleston

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Undergraduate Research Day at the Legislature

State Capitol Building, Charleston

Thursday, May 17, 2012

SBA One Day Workshop

Robert H. Mollohan Research Center, Fairmont

May 30-31, 2012

Teaming to Win

Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown