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February 15, 2005 Purdue names interim head for Merrillville incubatorMERRILLVILLE, Ind. - Purdue Research Foundation has appointed economic development veteran Kathy DeGuilio-Fox interim executive director of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana, Purdue University's first satellite technology incubator, effective today (Tuesday, Feb. 15). DeGuilio-Fox, of Highland, Ind., who had served as the high-tech incubator's business development manager, will succeed Merrillville business owner Robert J. Wichlinski, of Porter County. Wichlinski resigned after holding the post for seven months during the center's construction phase. DeGuilio-Fox will be responsible for managing the programs, services and facilities of the incubator, which opened last month with seven charter companies on board. DeGuilio-Fox previously was president and executive director of Portage-based Partners in Contracting Corp., where she helped small businesses secure government contracts and trained clients how to work effectively with government agencies. "With more than 20 years experience in project development, grant writing and fund raising, Kathy DeGuilio-Fox is a wonderful asset to our program," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president and treasurer of the Purdue Research Foundation, which owns and manages the center. "Her extensive relationships in business, economic development and government on the regional, state and federal levels make Kathy exceptionally well-qualified to move our economic development efforts forward while a search is under way to find Bob Wichlinski's successor." Hornett said he plans to immediately appoint a committee to conduct a national search to fill the position on a permanent basis. Wichlinski said, "It has been a privilege to be part of Purdue's ambitious plan to create high-tech jobs and provide new opportunities to diversify northwest Indiana's economy. We opened the center as scheduled, attracted seven wonderful companies and as many qualified prospects. ... This was an appropriate time for me to return to my entrepreneurial roots ... to care for my family, my community and the three companies I breathed life into. I wish my former team the best and have every confidence that they will succeed." Wichlinski said he plans to devote himself full time to ON-SITE Computer LLC, the Merrillville-based computer and network support provider service he founded earlier. Wichlinski is a Porter County trustee and has served as president of the Center for Innovations LLC. "As a member of the advisory board that had very early input into the direction of the Purdue Technology Center, Bob has been involved and supportive from the beginning," said banker Calvin Bellamy, chairman of the center's advisory board. "This region's success is guaranteed by northwest Indiana business people like Bob, who have such enthusiasm for our economic future." Hornett also added, "We are grateful for the progress and success of the technology center under Bob's leadership. He was able to generate great interest in the technology center. We knew when Bob was named executive director that it would be personally challenging to meet the demands of running the technology center while owning a business and serving the community. We support and respect his decision to return to his business." Last week the foundation announced a joint venture with South Bend-based Holladay Properties to develop a $400 million business and technology park on the 393 foundation-owned acres surrounding the center, which is located in Merrillville off of 101st Avenue, east of Broadway Avenue. The park, to be called AmeriPlex at the Crossroads, will be anchored by the 48,000-square-foot incubator and the Purdue Calumet Academic Learning Center of the same size. The Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana - the result of a partnership between U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) and Purdue University - is patterned after the Purdue Technology Center located in the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette. In addition to securing $6.9 million in federal funding for both the 48,000-square-foot center's construction and initial operating costs, Visclosky worked to help recruit several charter companies to the center. The Merrillville center provides space, professional counseling, mentoring and other important support services for startup businesses. Within two years, after being prepared to succeed on their own, new businesses will leave the center. The first seven companies to sign lease agreements with the foundation are developing a range of emerging technologies in the areas of homeland security, energy, pharmaceuticals and information technology. Purdue Research Foundation's award-winning Purdue Research Park was named top research park in the country for 2004 by its peers, the Association of University Research Parks. Purdue Research Park is the state's first Certified Technology Park and home to more than 80 high-tech companies - the largest concentration of these ventures in the state. Writer: Jeanine Phipps, media relations, Purdue Research Park, (765) 494-0748 (office), (765) 409-2745 (mobile), jeanine@purdue.edu Source: Joseph B. Hornett, (765) 494-8645, jbhornett@purdue.edu |
