UTEP Names Michael Dalby AVP for Innovation, Commercialization and Economic Development
Role will focus on entrepreneurship and commercialization of innovative technologies
EL PASO, Texas (June 29, 2023) — Michael Dalby has joined The University of Texas at El Paso as the new Assistant Vice President for Innovation, Commercialization and Economic Development. Dalby’s primary role will be to work with faculty, staff and students to encourage entrepreneurship and commercialization of innovative technologies developed through research.
“Hiring Michael Dalby is part of our strategic commitment to expand the University’s research enterprise,” said Ahmad Itani, Ph.D, vice president for research. “I look forward to working with Mr. Dalby to translate our research discoveries into innovations and company start-ups and spin-offs that will enhance the economic welfare and prosperity of our region and the state.”
Dalby was previously the president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce in Florida and Ohio, respectively. He has extensive experience in business and economic development and served as an intelligence collection systems analyst in the U.S. Air Force for twelve years.
As part of his role, he will lead the Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce and work with the Blackstone Launch Pad, which provides resources and training to students interested in starting a business.
“It’s really all about increasing economic opportunity – for UTEP, its students and faculty, and ultimately, for the entire Borderplex region,” Dalby said. “UTEP has the talent and ideas to continue making major economic impacts in the region.”
He added, “My role is encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship, helping nurture start-ups and decreasing the friction for an inventor trying to take her or his idea to market, ultimately resulting in new enterprises and more high-skill, high-wage jobs in the community.”
Dalby’s role will also involve outreach to business, industry and government entities interested in partnering with UTEP. His position is based in the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects.
Dalby holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
About The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving University. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 24,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 169 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
Last Updated on June 29, 2023 at 12:00 AM | Originally published June 29, 2023
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
