Green Innovation Nexus

Today's news item of interest is the announcement of Rebecca Bagley as the new president of NorTech. Bagley could help to solidify Tim Ryan's Tech Belt concept. Her background not only links Northeast Ohio with innovation in Western Pennsylvania, she is also familiar with the Front Range of Colorado:

Bagley most recently served as Deputy Secretary for the Technology Investment Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). In that capacity, she oversaw the operations of an office that serves as a catalyst for growth and competitiveness for Pennsylvania companies and universities. She also was responsible for the administration of several major state programs, including the Life Sciences Greenhouse initiative, the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Keystone Innovation Zone program, the Research and Development Tax Credit program, and many other technology-based economic development programs that support research and commercialization activities.

As part of her responsibilities, Bagley managed the $650 million Energy Independence Strategy that was signed into law in 2008, as well as approximately $79 million in appropriations and more than $1.7 billion in investments for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She previously served as Director of Venture Investment for DCED. Before joining DCED, Bagley worked for several investment banks, where her experience included working closely with early stage companies and venture capital firms.

Bagley currently is a member of the Board of the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds (NASVF), an organization of innovation capital leaders in private, public and non-profit organizations that are committed to building local economies by investing in local entrepreneurs. She has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Science Technology Institute (SSTI), a national nonprofit organization that leads, supports and strengthens efforts to improve state and regional economies through science, technology and innovation.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder College of Business and Administration.

You can read more about PA's Energy Independence Strategy here. I see Bagley as another key piece to the Green Energy Diaspora Project and a boost to capital exchanges between the two economic corridors in Colorado and NEO/Western PA.