Source: www.in.gov
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 16, 2016) – The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has named Ian Steff as its executive vice president and chief innovation officer. In this role, Steff will be responsible for overseeing IEDC-specific strategies as part of Governor Mike Pence’s $1 billion initiative to advance innovation and entrepreneurship in the Hoosier state.
“Indiana has added nearly 150,000 new Hoosier jobs in the last three and a half years, which is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our state’s job creators and entrepreneurs,” said Governor Pence. “As a state, we have worked diligently to establish Indiana as the best place for business, and we must continue to build on our economic momentum. Through this initiative, we will build a stronger and more supportive entrepreneurial environment for Indiana’s innovators who are developing new solutions, launching new businesses and chasing their dreams. As the IEDC’s new chief innovation officer, Ian Steff will play a key role in carrying out this bold vision for Indiana’s third century as we help Hoosiers turn those dreams into reality.”
Governor Pence’s 10-year plan, which centers on collaboration between government, education and research institutions, communities and the private sector, aims to build on Indiana’s current economic momentum and combat potential threats to growth, such as the availability of talent and capital. Steff and the IEDC will work to further develop Indiana’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems, expand industry-led public-private partnerships, support cutting-edge applied research at Hoosier universities, expand opportunities for small businesses and accelerate investments in early-stage, mid-market and high-growth companies.
Most recently, Steff served as a science and technology adviser for the IEDC, advancing innovation and growth within Indiana’s advanced manufacturing, energy, information technology, life sciences, materials and nanotechnology sectors. Over the last two years, he has worked to expand Indiana’s public-private partnerships and has led the state’s participation in initiatives such as the Battery Innovation Center (BIC), theInstitute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) and the new Indiana Manufacturing Institute at Purdue University.
“I am indeed humbled to help implement Governor Pence’s bold and exciting $1 billion innovation and entrepreneurial vision – a vision that reaffirms Indiana’s steadfast commitment to consciously choosing to compete nationwide and globally for ideas, talent and investment,” said Steff. “As I look around the state, I see hardworking Hoosiers solving billion dollar challenges every day. This plan ensures that Indiana’s current and future innovators – who are second to none – have the tools they need to create high-paying jobs in our state for years to come.”
Prior to joining the IEDC, Steff served as an executive officer and vice president of global policy and technology partnerships at the Semiconductor Industry Association in Washington, D.C. for nearly a decade. There, he led initiatives that promoted market growth on behalf of American chip designers and manufacturers and supported technology partnerships between industry, government and universities to ensure U.S. competitiveness in the nanotechnology era, including multi-million dollar industry-led research partnerships with Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame. Previously, Steff served on the trade staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee.
Steff is an advisor to a number of Indiana-based and industry-focused initiatives, serving on the Purdue University Dean of Engineering’s Advisory Council, IUPUI Vice Chancellor for Research’s Advisory Board, International Nanotechnology Conference on Communication and Cooperation program committee, BIC board of directors and IACMI board of directors. He previously held positions on the board of directors for the United States Information Technology Office in Beijing, the executive committee of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors and the advisory board of the Rochester Institute of Technology School of Microelectronics.
Steff earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies from American University and a master’s degree in international science and technology policy from George Washington University. He also studied at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.