Amerine Leaves UA; Who Follows Him? (EDITORS NOTE)
by January 19, 2015 12:00 am 86 views
When the University of Arkansas reorganized its technology offices in the fall of 2012, there was a specific goal in mind — become more customer friendly to both businesses and faculty inventors.
Jeff Amerine, previously a technology licensing officer, was elevated to director when the reshuffle was announced, and was very successful in meeting that goal, which helped increase instances of UA research being commercialized.
“Jeff brought a can-do attitude,” said Jim Rankin, the UA’s vice provost for research and economic development. “The attitude was, ‘Let’s make some deals and get some patents out and get some commercialization going.’ Jeff and his team did a great job.”
That’s why Rankin, I’m sure, hates to see Amerine leave the office. As we reported New Year’s Eve, Amerine resigned these dual leadership roles with the UA:
• Associate vice provost for research and economic development
• Director, Technology Ventures
You can read Jennifer Joyner’s cover story to learn more about Amerine’s next professional step. What’s next for the UA is finding the right replacement — or replacements — for Amerine.
While Rankin said the hiring timeline and process is, more or less, open-ended, there shouldn’t be any shortage of interest in the job. The UA is explicit in increasing its reputation as a research hub — of the 629 four-year public research institutions in the U.S., its stated goal is to be recognized as one of the top 50 by 2021 — and people will want to work there. People also want to be involved in entrepreneurship.
Rankin’s task is to figure out how best to move forward. Maybe it’s somebody who is an expert in patents or licenses. Perhaps someone (like Amerine) with more of an entrepreneurial bent. Or does the person need to be working closer with Phil Stafford at the Arkansas Technology Development Foundation?
It’s a significant decision. And it’s important that Amerine’s replacement is able to strongly influence Arkansas’ already successful culture of technology spinoffs.