USU Research Foundation Names Two Executive Vice Presidents
The Utah State University Research Foundation, known as USURF, officially announced and filled two new executive vice president positions at its last board of trustees meeting. Dr. Douglas Lemon and Mr. Forrest Fackrell accepted the titles of executive vice president and director of laboratories, and executive vice president for business operations, respectively.
This restructuring of executive management is a new approach for USURF, whose primary operating unit is the Space Dynamics Laboratory. The new direction better positions the Foundation to achieve one of its primary goals: creating new operating units that have the potential for fostering new technology-based businesses in Utah, and ultimately creating high wage jobs.
“The new organizational structure is possible because of the effective working relationships within the Foundation,” explains Fackrell.
This restructuring of executive management is a new approach for USURF, whose primary operating unit is the Space Dynamics Laboratory. The new direction better positions the Foundation to achieve one of its primary goals: creating new operating units that have the potential for fostering new technology-based businesses in Utah, and ultimately creating high wage jobs.
“The new organizational structure is possible because of the effective working relationships within the Foundation,” explains Fackrell.
While Lemon and Fackrell will be working very closely together in their new roles, Lemon assumes the responsibility of creating new technical laboratories for USURF. These business units will join the Space Dynamics Laboratory in performing valuable government research. Fackrell is responsible for all USURF business functions, while supporting laboratory growth along with commercialization efforts associated with intellectual property. Both individuals are experienced entrepreneurs.
Lemon was recently hired to fill the role of director of USURF’s Space Dynamics Laboratory. He received both a bachelor’s degree and PhD in physics from Utah State University.
Fackrell has been with USURF for eight years, and received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Utah State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Media Contact: Karen Wolfe, 435-797-4622 Karen.Wolfe@usurf.usu.edu
Fackrell has been with USURF for eight years, and received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Utah State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
The Utah State University Research Foundation (USURF) was founded in 1967. This nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation owned by Utah State University was established primarily to provide an organization for the management and physical support of applied research. USURF assists Utah State University in achieving its mission by establishing nationally and internationally acclaimed programs of applied research. The major operating unit within USURF is the Space Dynamics Laboratory, which joined the foundation in 1988 to take advantage of the robust USURF infrastructure. This allowed the Space Dynamics Laboratory to undertake of larger and more complex programs. Prior to that time, SDL operated as an organization within USU’s College of Engineering. USURF's revenues are mainly composed of funding from competitively won contracts and grants from the Department of Defense, NASA, other government organizations and industry.
Media Contact: Karen Wolfe, 435-797-4622 Karen.Wolfe@usurf.usu.edu
Douglas Lemon (left) and Forrest Fackrell have both accepted new executive vice president positions the Utah State University Research Foundation. Photo courtesy of USU Space Dynamics Laboratory.
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