Iowa State University


Inside Iowa State
July 18, 1997

Three finalists chosen for Research Park post

by Skip Derra

Three finalists have been chosen for the position of CEO/president of the ISU Research Park. The three finalists are Glenn Mitchell, a business development specialist with Westaim Corp., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; John Parks, vice president, Dasher Management Corp., Ames; and David Roederer, coordinator of economic development activities at ISU and interim director of the ISU Research Park.

"We are pleased to have three very talented and experienced business and economic development people interested in taking the Research Park to the next level," said Ben Allen, chair of the search committee and College of Business dean. "The president of the research park will be working with creative, high-energy entrepreneurs and providing leadership in fostering economic development for Iowa."

The candidates will visit Ames to meet with ISU officials, members of the Research Park board of directors and Research Park staff and tenants. Mitchell will visit July 25, Parks on July 30, and Roederer on Aug. 1.

Glenn Mitchell

Mitchell has experience as a technology development manager and consultant in development, marketing and management of research parks and technology incubators. He has expertise in capital project financing and construction, technology transfer, venture capital and business consulting support to advanced technology enterprises. He is the past president of the Association of University Related Research Parks.

Prior to joining Westaim Corp. in 1996, Mitchell was a senior consultant at Drake Beam Morin-Alberta Inc., Edmonton (1994-1996), and president and general manager of the Edmonton Research Park Authority, Edmonton (1983-1993).

He earned a B.Sc. in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado (1969) and MBA from the University of Alberta (1982).

John Parks

Parks is vice president of Dasher Management Corp., where he directs 400 employees in seven McDonald's restaurants. He is responsible for operations, site development and construction, marketing and business planning. In the past 13 years, he has worked with more than 60 companies during their creation or expansion. Parks also has experience in financing, municipal regulations, zoning, business and strategic planning, venture and seed capital, and public- private partnerships.

In addition to his professional work, Parks is active in the Ames community and a member of the Ames City Council. He is a member of the State of Iowa Venture Capital Advisory Committee and the Iowa Seed Capital Corp.

Parks earned a B.B.A. degree (1990) in finance and MBA (1995) from Iowa State.

David Roederer

Roederer has been interim director of the Research Park since Jan. 1. In addition, he has served as Iowa State's coordinator of economic development activities since 1995. He has worked with economic development groups within the state, and with companies and individuals to match ISU expertise with needs in Iowa.

Roederer was chief of staff for Gov. Terry Branstad (1991-1995), campaign manager for Branstad (1990-1991) and director of the Iowa Department of Commerce (1988-1990). He also serves on the State Workforce Development Board and the Ames Economic Development Commission.

He earned his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa (1973).

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