Tuesday, March 29
ACE Louisiana Speakers
Louisiana State University LSU
Andrew J. Maas
Associate Vice President for Research -Technology Transfer Director, Office of Innovation & Technology Commercialization
Louisiana State University and A&M College
andrewm@lsu.edu
Andrew J. Maas (Andy) joined LSU in June 2014 as the Assistant Vice President for Research and Director of the Office of Innovation & Technology Commercialization. Andy is an engineer by training with a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University and the University of Texas at Austin, respectively. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas where he worked for several years and grew a start-up engineering company from two individuals to 14
employees in 18 months. Andy also has a JD from the University of Akron School of Law, as well as a LLM with a focus on intellectual property. His research focus for his LLM degree was “early stage patent valuation under the new America Invents
Act.” He has been published in the Journal of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as well as in Cement and Concrete Research.
a. Access to research labs via partnerships, services, and/or sponsored R&D projects. b. Technical assistance via services and/or sponsored R&D projects. c. Partnerships for technological development ranging from applied R&D efforts to potential joint pursuit of national or international funding opportunities. d. Research exchanges e. Specific business and investment opportunities: we work closely with BRAC, GNO, and LED – our regional economic development partners – on the talent and technology development fronts to support investment and (re)location opportunities for organizations.
a. Opportunities to collaborate nationally and internationally with faculty who are working on local issues but with global impact. b. Connect companies with research needs to our researchers and capabilities for potential sponsored projects and technology development. c. Investment in potential early-stage companies out of the university.
Greg Trahan
Director, Economic Development
Louisiana State University and A&M College
gtrahan1@lsu.edu
Greg Trahan serves as Director of Economic Development, working to build partnerships by connecting business and industry to LSU’s expert research, knowledgeable faculty, extensive assets, and considerable capabilities. He also serves as a
Program Manager in the Transformational Technology and Cyber Research Center. Prior to joining LSU, he was Director of Business Development at Louisiana Economic Development, representing Louisiana nationally in external business and economic development efforts in software, technology, and defense-related sectors. He was directly involved in projects that to date have generated over 1,500 technology new jobs in Louisiana. He began his career at then-startup Legacy.com, now one of the most visited sites in the U.S.; his work at Legacy.com resulted in a Webby Award nomination. He has more than 15 years’ experience in web and software development, design, analytics, product development and management, business development, and strategy. He is a graduate of LSU with a B.S. in Biochemistry.
Opportunities for collaboration would include: a. Access to research labs via partnerships, services, and/or sponsored R&D projects. b. Technical assistance via services and/or sponsored R&D projects. c. Partnerships for technological development ranging from applied R&D efforts to potential joint pursuit of national or international funding opportunities. d. Research exchanges e. Specific business and investment opportunities: we work closely with BRAC, GNO, and LED – our regional economic development partners – on the talent and technology development fronts to support investment and (re)location opportunities for organizations.
a. Opportunities to collaborate nationally and internationally with faculty who are working on local issues but with global impact. b. Connect companies with research needs to our researchers and capabilities for potential sponsored projects and technology development. c. Investment in potential early-stage companies out of the university
Samuel J. Bentley
Vice President, Office of Research & Economic Development
Louisiana State University and A&M College
sjb@lsu.edu
Dr. Samuel J. Bentley serves as the Vice President and is the Billy and Ann Harrison Chair in Sedimentary Geology. He is a marine sedimentologist in department of Geology and Geophysics in the College of Science. Dr. Bentley’s work involves field, laboratory, and modeling studies of sediments and stratigraphy on continental margins of ocean basins, including the
Mississippi Delta. His specific interests include applications of sediment radiochemistry to studies of sediment flux and accumulation along margins, among other things. Dr. Bentley and his students and collaborators have worked on projects from
the tropics to the Arctic, publishing over 100 journal articles and book chapters. Much of his interest here in Louisiana is focused on Mississippi Delta conservation and restoration. Dr. Bentley’s work as director of LSU’s Coastal Studies Institute
from 2012 to 2017 is one example. He participated in a large study of delta restoration strategies, supported by the National Audubon Society, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the National Wildlife Federation, and presently serves on the State of Louisiana’s Coastal Advisory Team for developing the State of Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan.
Opportunities for collaboration would include: a. Access to research labs via partnerships, services, and/or sponsored R&D projects. b. Technical assistance via services and/or sponsored R&D projects. c. Partnerships for technological development ranging from applied R&D efforts to potential joint pursuit of national or international funding opportunities. d. Research exchanges e. Specific business and investment opportunities: we work closely with BRAC, GNO, and LED – our regional economic development partners – on the talent and technology development fronts to support investment and (re)location opportunities for organizations.
a. Opportunities to collaborate nationally and internationally with faculty who are working on local issues but with global impact. b. Connect companies with research needs to our researchers and capabilities for potential sponsored projects and technology development. c. Investment in potential early-stage companies out of the university.
ACE Louisiana Speakers
The Water Campus
Clinton S. Willson
Professor and Director, LSU Center for River Studies
Louisiana State University
cwillson@lsu.edu
Clint Willson is the LSU Mike N. Dooley Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Director of the LSU Center for River Studies. Clint obtained his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State and then was commissioned as an officer in the US Marine Corps. After his service, he went to the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his M.S. in Environmental Engineering and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering. Before starting at LSU, Clint worked for two years as a postdoctoral research
associate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been at LSU for over 20 years, teaching and conducting research in the general area of environmental and water resources engineering. Clint collaborates with researchers, faculty and students from multiple departments and colleges at LSU and around the world. He has affiliations with the LSU Coastal Sustainability Studio, the LSU Center for Collaborative Knowledge, and LSU Roger Ogden Honors College. His current research projects are funded by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineering Engineering Research and Development Command Environmental Lab, and the National Academy of Sciences Engineering and Medicine Gulf Research Program.
Host visiting students and scholars to work alongside our students, research staff and faculty. Set up programs where LSU (and Louisiana) graduate students an researchers can visit research labs, agencies and consulting firms, to exchange ideas, collaborate on research projects, etc. Partner with researchers and industries on riverine, water management and ecological
challenges. Expertise in terms of integrating river with coastal processes and ecosystem services in a broader water management framework, including protection, restoration and economic development Provide consultation for planning,
development and implementation of education/outreach and research facilities.
We hope to develop two-way collaborative opportunities – students, research staff and faculty. Develop long-term research and collaborative partnerships in the area of rivers and water management. Explore how those partnerships (or other ones) can include coastal margins in terms of flood risk and ecosystem services.
ACE Louisiana Speakers
Center for River Studies, Water Campus
Jason Tate
CEO
Pixel Dash Studios
jason@pixeldashstudios.com
A software engineer with over 15 years of development experience, Jason has developed games for PC, mobile, VR, and console as well as software for Fortune 500 companies. Jason currently serves as the president of the Baton Rouge chapter of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).
Opportunity to partner in the realm of gaming, virtual reality, and metaverse.
Seeking opportunities to work together in gaming, virtual reality, and metaverse technologies.
Paul J. Arrigo, CDME
President & CEO
Visit Baton Rouge
paul@visitbatonrouge.com
PAUL J. ARRIGO, CDME Paul Arrigo assumed the role of President & CEO with the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau on August 8th, 2002. Prior to that time, he served as Visit Baton Rouge’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing
since March, 1997. He is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and has over 40 years of experience in hospitality marketing. Previously, Arrigo was Director of Sales Operations, Eastern Region for the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. He opened and operated the Washington, D.C. office of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
for nine years. He is a member of: • American Society of Association Executives • Louisiana Society of Association Executives • Greater Washington Society of Association Executives • Destination Marketing Assn Intl • Professional Convention Managers Association • Hotel Sales & Marketing Association • Louisiana Travel Promotion Association • Louisiana State University
Alumni Association • Louisiana Restaurant Association – Baton Rouge Chapter • South Coast USA • Rotary Club • United Way Cabinet Arrigo is co-founder of the Washington D.C. – Mid Atlantic Chapter of University of New Orleans Alumni Association and is a member of Delta Sigma Pi Professional Commerce Fraternity and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Arrigo serves on the board of directors of: • Louisiana Restaurant Association – Baton Rouge Chapter • Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs • Louisiana Travel Promotion Association Finance Committee • Oak Ridge Homeowners Association • Southeast Tourism
Society • City Club of Baton Rouge • Louisiana Assn of Convention and Visitors Bureau-President Paul and his wife Melanie reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with their daughter Lauren. Arrigo received his B.S. in Marketing from the University of New Orleans in 1974. He received his C.D.M.E. (Certified Destination Marketing Executive, the only certification offered by the Destination Marketing Association International) in 1999.
Information on lodging options and visitors locations/events
Recognize the partnership between Economic Development and Destination Marketing/Management