Purdue Research Foundation COO to retire
October 10, 2014
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Research Foundation officials announced on October 10, 2014, that Joseph B. Hornett, COO, the foundation's senior vice president and treasurer, has retired after serving 12 years for the organization.
"The past dozen years have been a time of great growth for the foundation, and we recognize and appreciate Joe's contributions in these endeavors," said Dan Hasler, president of Purdue Research Foundation. "We will continue to build on this momentum and advance our mission of serving Purdue University."
While at the foundation, Hornett spearheaded the growth of the nationally recognized Purdue Research Park from one location to four across Indiana, and expanded the companies in the park network to more than 250, producing an annual economic impact to the state of $1.3 billion. In addition, he stewarded the expansion of the largest university-affiliated business incubation complex in the U.S. Most recently, he guided the development of Seng-Liang Wang Hall, a mixed-use facility designed to support the strategic expansion of Purdue’s College of Engineering.
"I have appreciated my time at the Purdue Research Foundation and am proud of how the foundation has moved forward during my tenure," Hornett said. "I do intend to pursue other interests."
Hornett previously served as COO and CFO of MainGate, Inc. (formerly known as Sport Service) in Indianapolis, an event merchandiser possessing licensing agreements for numerous professional sports organizations, and as CFO for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
About Purdue Research Foundation
The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires property; protects Purdue's intellectual property; and promotes entrepreneurial activities on behalf of Purdue. The foundation manages the Purdue Foundry, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Research Park and Purdue Technology Centers. The foundation received the 2014 Incubator Network of the Year by the National Business Incubation Association for its work in entrepreneurship.
Writer: Cynthia Sequin, Purdue Research Foundation, 765-588-3340, casequin@prf.org
