Balaji Suresh is VP of Operations, for Communication Systems segment’s operations function of L3Harris Technologies. He joined L3Harris in 2020 as Sr Director of the operations team. Reporting to Communication Systems President, he is currently responsible for providing vision and leadership to the operations function. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University …
Elizabeth Lusskin is the Executive Vice President for Small Business and Technology Development at Empire State Development, leading a division with 40+ staff and programs exceeding $1B, across five areas, focused on small business and innovation sectors: Capital Access, Entrepreneur Development, NYSTAR focused on technology and research commercialization, Life Science Initiative and Venture investments. Company …
Catharine Young was named executive director of the New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture in March 2019. A longtime champion of agricultural and economic development, Catharine served for 20 years in the New York State Legislature representing western New York. During that time, she chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee, founded the …
Alan Rae is the director of the University at Buffalo’s New York State Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics (CMI). He is also the co-executive director of Incubator Works and was the interim director for the New York State Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology at Alfred University from 2017-2018. Company Website
Prof. Devon A. Shipp is currently full Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Science, and Director of the Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP). He completed a B.Sc. (Hons) in chemistry (1993), and then Ph.D. (1998) at the University of Melbourne (Australia). He then accepted the Bayer Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon …
Carol has extensive knowledge of the Southern Tier’s manufacturing sector and has a proven track record of success. Carol works closely with AMT’s clients, stakeholders, and partners. As the Executive Director, Carol is building on AMT’s past successes and is leading the organization in customizing and expanding its services to better serve the manufacturing community. …
John Cerveny is Senior Director and Program Manager for New Energy New York (NENY). For over two decades, He has led efforts for technology-based businesses in alternative energy and cleantech fields that resulted in over $200 million in funding and the creation of hundreds of jobs. His focus and expertise is in business development, public …
Hope Knight is the President, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development, New York State’s economic development agency. She was nominated to the position by Governor Kathy Hochul in October 2021, and confirmed by the New York State Senate in May 2022. At ESD, Commissioner Knight is dedicated to policies that advance sustainable and inclusive …
Melissa Tallman is the Innovare Community Curator at Griffiss Insititute. She sits on the executive team, and leads the events and marketing division while reinforcing brand integrity. Her focus is building community and elevating STEM talent and tech accelerators. Melissa has over 14 years of entrepreneurship experience, pushing the boundaries to expand her business ventures …
Olga Petrova manages a suite of technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and business development initiatives at Binghamton University, having secured funding for and launched a number of high-tech accelerator programs that support technology transfer and startup growth in the region and across Upstate New York. As the Deputy Regional Economic Competitiveness Officer for New Energy New York, …
