Ohio University President Roderick J. McDavis and Chief Financial Officer Steve Golding were recently selected by the Ohio Board of Regents to serve on the newly formed Technology Transfer and Commercialization Task Force.  

The task force includes college and university leaders throughout the state with the goal of maximizing entrepreneurial capacity by improving higher education commercialization. By doing this, the board hopes to strengthen economic development and enhance business. 

"For more than 30 years, Ohio University has invested in our region through technology, commercialization and business incubation," said McDavis. "Supporting our region through economic development is our commitment and who we are as an institution. We are very proud to have this opportunity to share what we have learned through our work and success with the Board of Regents in an effort to elevate our state and recruit and retain the best talent at our public universities."  

The task force is composed of 25 college administrators and corporate executives.  

McDavis was nominated by Vinny Gupta, chairman of the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Task Force, during the chairman's visit to the Athens campus. Gupta said he was very impressed with the operations at Ohio University and believes that McDavis will be a "forceful and effective member" on his task force.  

"The vision of Ohio University in becoming a major player in innovation and commercialization is very evident," said Gupta. "(McDavis) can help me with bringing about the change we need in Ohio."  

Gupta also has appointed Golding to be on his Working Planning Group Leadership Council. This group serves as the advisory team to Gupta.