University of Rhode Island Business Engagement Center Appoints New Relationship Manager
RISBJ Staff | May 11, 2016
KINGSTON, RI – The University of Rhode Island has appointed George Nickolopoulos, former director of operation at Nautilus Defense in Providence, as relationship manager at the University of Rhode Island Business Engagement Center, it was announced by Katharine Hazard Flynn, executive director of the Business Engagement Center. He began in his new role on April 11th.
This new position, partially funded through the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, was created to focus and increase efforts of the Center, specifically in Rhode Island’s significant defense and marine trade industries.
“The University of Rhode Island is rich with resources that are available to support and enhance the innovation, discovery, and growth occurring across the business community here in Rhode Island and beyond,” said URI President David M. Dooley. “This new hire at our Business Engagement Center will help us make great strides to significantly enhance the University’s response to the needs of the defense and marine trades industries in our state.”
In his role at Nautilus Defense, which provides support to the United States Armed Forces in its efforts to combat terrorism and develop new technologies to enhance operational safety and effectiveness, Nickolopoulos worked with the U.S. Navy to support anti-terrorism initiatives in Southeast Asia. He also worked with several organizations within the defense and marine trades industries across the state, including the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance.
The defense and marine trades industries were deemed a competitive advantage of the state in the recent Brookings Institution report entitled “Rhode Island Innovates: A Competitive Strategy for the Ocean State.” It is expected that the state will seek to leverage these important sectors in the coming years to enhance economic growth and prosperity in Rhode Island.
“We are thrilled to bring George on board to help us connect URI with the business community in these essential sectors,” said Flynn. “We are seeking to grow the Business Engagement Center’s efforts and impact, and with the addition of George to our team, we will be able to improve the effectiveness and the scale of our work.”
“I am honored and eager to begin a new journey at the University of Rhode Island,” said Nickolopoulos. “URI is an exciting place. I am looking forward to working with the accomplished faculty, staff, and students who make URI a resource to the greater community. I am also enthusiastic to begin working with industry to forge new relationships and connections for the benefit of URI.”
About the URI Business Engagement Center
The Business Engagement Center serves as the “front door” for industry to connect with the vast resources that exist at URI. Companies – from entrepreneurial startups to major corporations – use the services of the Center to sponsor research opportunities, access assistance with technology or intellectual property transfer, seek information about licensing, receive customized workforce training, and connect with undergraduate and graduate students for internships, as well as other essential services to help business thrive.
For more information about the URI Business Engagement Center visit web.uri.edu/bec/.
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