When partners come together in a true spirit of collaboration, leverage each others’ strengths and resources and seek the highest possible outcome, the result is much greater than the sum of its parts.
To further explore this year’s theme of 3 partners.1 mission, the following sessions were offered:
MapInfo Corporation
Troy, NY
www.mapinfo.com
MapInfo Corporation, which was recently acquired by Pitney Bowes, hosted a panel discussion focused on successful partnerships with business, government and education.
The panel was moderated by Michael Hickey, chief operating officer of MapInfo. Participants included Tom Donovan, CTO, Office of Child and Family Services; Ben Semmes, vice president, global services, MapInfo; Susan Schilling, chief executive officer/director, New Technology Foundation; and Mike Relyea, executive director, New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies
Troy, NY
www.rpi.edu/research/biotech/index.html
This session included a panel discussion of engaging representatives of business, government and higher education. Participants will examine the critical components of successful partnerships that bring world-class resources to the region, develop ground-breaking technology, cultivate the skills of budding entrepreneurs, advance the growth of small business, enhance quality of life, and generate widespread economic development. Discussions looked at the lessons of the past and identify the areas of greatest opportunities for the future.
The panel was moderated by John E. Kolb, PE, VP for Information Services and Technology and CIO at Rensselaer. Participants included Paul E. Francis, director of the NYS Division of the Budget and senior adviser to Governor Eliot Spitzer; Harry C. Calhoun, VP Strategic Alliances, IBM Technology & IP and David Gautschi, Dean of Rensselaer’s Lally School of Management and Technology.
Wadsworth Center Laboratories
Albany, NY
www.wadsworth.org
The Wadsworth Center, New York State's public health laboratory and premier biomedical research institution hosted a panel discussion focused on collaboration between government, business and academia. The discussion reflected on the successful working relationships local entrepreneurs have fostered with New York State government. The panel was moderated by Michael J. Nazarko, executive director, Health Research, Incorporated. Panelists included Joel Burtman, property manager, Riverview Center; David Gibson, president and CEO, XOS and Robert Krackeler, president, Krackeler Scientific, Inc.