ISSUED: 7 September 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Regional economic development will be the topic of a special president’s lecture at Shepherd University on Friday, September 16 from 2-3 p.m. at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Dr. Jerry Callahan, innovations and collaborations vice president for the Van Andel Institute (VAI) and director of Hope River Ventures and Hopen Life Science Ventures Fund, will give a talk titled “Reinventing West Michigan’s Economy: A Story of Focus and Collaboration and a Possible Model for West Virginia.”
Callahan, who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration, a master’s degree in information systems management, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, has been involved in commercial development of life science business in west Michigan. He has formed two private equity and venture capital investment firms which have raised more than $60 million, has launched several startup life science companies, and has served in various leadership roles in those companies.
“Dr. Callahan has significant experience in the economic development space, working in partnership with the community and academic institutions. His expertise will be helpful to our goals of building public-private partnerships for reciprocal benefit,” said Shepherd President Mary J.C. Hendrix.
Callahan’s presentation is free and open to the public, with parking available on King Street and in the parking lot behind Ikenberry Hall (Lot B), the Scarborough Library, and Robert C. Byrd Science and Technology Center.
— 30 —
