Rensselaer Appoints Veteran Entrepreneurship and Business Leader To Direct Technology Park and EVE Business Incubation Programs

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Rensselaer Appoints Veteran Entrepreneurship and Business Leader To Direct Technology Park and EVE Business Incubation Programs
James Spencer, who has 20 years of experience in leading organizational creation and growth as an entrepreneurial business executive, has been appointed director of real estate and business development at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In his new role, effective July 16, Spencer will direct all activities related to the Rensselaer Technology Park and the Emerging Ventures Ecosystems (EVE) business incubation program.
In his current position as associate director for the University of Central Florida (UCF) Office of Research and Commercialization, Spencer recruits, coaches, and mentors a group of high-growth startup companies, and provides business and technology consulting to clients in nine UCF incubators. He also provides business development and consulting for small to medium-sized businesses throughout Central Florida as an area director for the Florida Small Business Development Center Network.
Prior to joining UCF, Spencer served as president and senior management consultant for Adigent Inc. in Orlando, Fla., providing a wide range of technical and business development consultation services to progressive, visionary companies. At Adigent, Spencer created innovative analytical tools for business development, strategic planning, and real estate transaction modeling used by client business owners and managers to facilitate growth, profitability, and critical decision making. He currently holds six U.S. patents, four of which he owns.
Spencer earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Brown University. He currently maintains professional affiliations with: Lake Technical Center as a member of the Charter Board of Directors (2010-present); National Business Incubation Association, member (2009 -present); Service and Leadership Training Foundation (S.A.L.T.), member, Board of Directors and chief operating officer (2004 –present); Science and Technical Applications Resources (S.T.A.R.), executive director (2003-2004); S.T.A.R. Program vice chairman and management volunteer (1990-2000). He is also a Certified Business Analyst with the Florida Small Business Center Development Network.
Spencer has published several articles and papers on technology and engineering as well as writing a novel and a nonfiction
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About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is America’s first technological research university. Rensselaer encompasses five schools, over 30 research centers, more than 140 academic programs including 25 new programs, and a dynamic community made up of over 6,800 students and 104,000 living alumni. Rensselaer faculty and alumni include upwards of 155 National Academy members, six members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With nearly 200 years of experience advancing scientific and technological knowledge, Rensselaer remains focused on addressing global challenges with a spirit of ingenuity and collaboration. To learn more, please visit www.rpi.edu.