By Xoel Cardenas, Sr. Communications Specialist, Office of the Vice President for Research
The Partners for Innovation, Ventures, Outreach & Technology (PIVOT) Center at the University of Utah has named Bruce Hunter as the Interim Chief Innovation and Economic Engagement Officer.
Hunter succeeds the role from Dr. Keith Marmer, who served as a leader for the university’s technology and innovation engine since 2016. Marmer recently announced his transition from the U to accept a new position in the private sector.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and look forward to building upon our momentum and collaborating within the research enterprise and across the university,” said Hunter.
Hunter’s extensive knowledge and experience will spearhead the PIVOT Center’s mission to drive technology commercialization, corporate engagement, and economic development at the U.
Hunter brings impressive and extensive experience
Hunter, who joined the University of Utah in January, enters his new role with an impressive background in entrepreneurship, academia, and technology transfer. Hunter received his BA, MBA, and JD from the University of Iowa. From there, he founded a computer imaging company at the university’s incubator, ran it for over 10 years, and sold it to a publicly-traded market leader. For Hunter’s next entrepreneurial venture, he launched a business lifestyle magazine in Denver, Colorado. Hunter served on the business faculty at Lone Star College in Houston, Texas, and also consulted with Fortune 500 companies on business innovation and creativity.
Hunter’s administrative experience includes serving as the executive director of intellectual property, technology transfer, and new ventures at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, and as executive director of innovation transfer and entrepreneurship at the University of California, Office of the President.
About PIVOT
The PIVOT Center works with faculty to help move their innovations forward — from licensing inventions, launching start-up companies and more. PIVOT’s core areas of responsibility are supporting technology commercialization, corporate engagement, and economic development.
In fiscal year 2022, PIVOT reported $21.8 million in revenue with 18 licenses, 122 issued patents and 5 startups formed at the U.
PIVOT transitions to under the VPR Office
In addition to Hunter’s new role, the PIVOT Center transitioned to under the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR), which became effective on April 27. Hunter will report directly to Dr. Erin Rothwell, vice president for research. The realignment will provide the center with better access to faculty and ensure resources.
“Bruce’s leadership is important to enhancing technology commercialization that will not only help researchers and investors, but also help bring innovations to the masses,” said Rothwell. “The U of U is a national leading research institution and I look forward to partnering with Bruce and the PIVOT Center to advance discoveries that will bring solutions to our local and global communities.”
For more information on PIVOT, click here.
For more information on the VPR Office, click here.