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06-21-04
By Jana Zvibleman, 541-737-0665
SOURCE: Craig Seward, 541-737-3439
CORVALLIS - Craig Sheward has been named director of Oregon State University's Office of Technology Transfer. He brings to the position extensive experience in successful, high-value technology transfer programs, business development and entrepreneurial company formation.
 Craig Sheward Click on image to go to downloadable photo |
"We are really excited to have Craig join our team," said Rich Holdren, OSU vice provost for research. "OSU, and in fact the whole university system, has taken up the challenge of contributing actively to the state's economic growth. By moving the products of our research to the commercial sector, we build both strength and diversity into the region's economy. We know Craig will be tremendously successful in leading this effort at OSU."
Over the years, the university has had success with a wide variety of products, from potato varieties to Braille map printers. Since OSU began the Technology Transfer program in 1980, 21 start-up companies have evolved from university research, and the university has more than 70 active patents generating royalty revenues.
The success rate in recent years of new inventions, licenses, and patents has grown rapidly. In fiscal year 2003, OSU faculty had 47 invention disclosures and six new U.S. patents issued. So far already in 2004, there have been 23 new license/option agreements.
Sheward succeeds Bill Hostetler, who recently retired after helping to build OSU's Technology Transfer program.
Sheward comes to OSU from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, where he was senior licensing executive in the Office of Technology Transfer and Enterprise Development. Previously, he held a similar position at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, focusing on commercialization of products from the Microelectronics, Photonics and Materials Centers.
He has managed a varied portfolio of inventions and software codes. This has included intellectual property evaluation, patent/copyright protection, due diligence, negotiation of licenses, financial valuation and marketing/strategy development. Sheward earned an M.S. in Engineering in 1983 from New Mexico State University.