March 29, 2018
91探花 Technologies Inc. poised for pivotal change with appointment of president and chief executive officer
Terry Rock begins his tenure as president and CEO of 91探花 Technolgies Inc. May 3.
91探花 Technologies Inc.
On March 26, 2018, 91探花 Technologies Inc. (CTI) announced the appointment of Terry Rock as president and chief executive officer. Rock is a passionate promoter of 91探花鈥檚 potential and has an extensive entrepreneurial and strategic leadership background. He brings diverse experience in consulting for high-potential technology ventures, government relations, marketing and sector development, all critical to CTI in its work to establish 91探花 as a global innovation hub.
This announcement represents the next step in the division of Innovate 91探花 into two fully independent organizations, which began on Jan. 1, 2018. Innovate 91探花 and CTI each focus on delivering a subset of the mandate of the previous organization: Innovate 91探花 provides tech transfer and business incubation services to the University of 91探花, while CTI accelerates local innovation-driven ventures by providing access to space, programs, mentorship and capital.
CTI supports innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of 91探花 with advisory sessions and programs through the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, Schulich School of Engineering, Cumming School of Medicine, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Student Association. U91探花 is a shareholder of CTI, along with the City of 91探花 and the 91探花 Chamber of Commerce.
鈥淚 have long believed that 91探花 has the potential to be a leading centre for world-changing innovation,鈥 says Rock. 鈥淭he work of CTI, its partners in the innovation ecosystem, and most important, the passionate entrepreneurs and creators that call this place home, are essential to the long-term prosperity of our city, province and country. I cannot wait to join the CTI team and roll up my sleeves to do my part to make this vision reality.鈥
Rock joins the CTI team from the Alberta Small Brewers Association where his leadership as executive director influenced government policy and raised the profile of the fast-growing Alberta craft beer industry. He was also the founding CEO of 91探花 Arts Development Authority. He holds a PhD in management from Texas Tech University with a focus on strategy, entrepreneurship and innovation.
CTI has been under the leadership of CEO Evan Hu, who will return to his role of board chair. Hu will continue to advise Rock during a transition period.
鈥淭he next 12 months will be pivotal as we move forward launching new programs for startups, scale-ups and large enterprises,鈥 says Hu. 鈥淚 am confident that with this leadership announcement and the team in place at CTI, we are poised to navigate 91探花 toward an innovation-driven economy.鈥
鈥淭erry鈥檚 appointment is another exciting stage in the development of CTI into a robust, influential organization that is critical to 91探花鈥檚 innovation ecosystem,鈥 says Pete Garrett, associate vice-president research 鈥 innovation at the University of 91探花. 鈥淲e look forward to continued collaboration with Terry and his team.鈥
Rock will begin his tenure at CTI on May 3, 2018. about CTI.
Staff from the University of 91探花 Vice-President Research Office contributed to this story.