To support and inspire the growing number of student and alumni entrepreneurs, the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies expanded its board of directors with the appointment of two leaders from the higher education sector. University of Vermont provost David Rosowsky and Champlain College president Don Laackman are the newest members of the VCET board and highlight the necessary role higher education plays in driving innovation and economic development at the campus level and across Vermont.
Rosowsky has served as provost and senior vice president of UVM since 2013. He came to UVM from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he served as dean of engineering. He holds BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from Tufts University and a PhD in civil engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
Laackman was named president of Champlain College in 2014. Prior to this position, he served as president of Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, and held leadership positions at Civic Consulting Alliance and the global consulting firm, Accenture.
Founded by the Vermont Technology Council, UVM and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy in 2005, VCET serves as the innovation epicenter in Vermont where higher education, economic development and entrepreneurs intersect in order to start and scale new business ventures. VCET hosts over 190 coworking and startup members across three facilities in downtown Middlebury, and in Burlington at UVM and the FairPoint Technology Hub, and has advised more than 1,600 businesses and entrepreneurs across Vermont.
“The addition of innovative leaders like Don and David bring immediate benefits to the entrepreneurs and Vermont communities VCET serves,” said David Bradbury, VCET president. “This is awesome news and we are so thankful for their time and expertise.”
Rosowsky and Laackman join VCET’s current board members, who include:
● Frank Cioffi, president of GBIC● Lisa Ventriss, president and CEO of the Vermont Business Roundtable
● John N. Evans, PhD, adviser for Business Engagement, UVM
● Elizabeth Robinson, associate dean of the College for Creativity, Engagement & Careers, Middlebury College
● Mike Lane, private investor and co-founder of Dealer.com
● Janette Bombardier, senior vice president at Green Mountain Power
● Briar Alpert, president and CEO of BioTek Instruments, Inc.
● Gavin R. Berger, entrepreneur and entertainment executive
● Scott Bailey, executive director for North America, MassChallenge
● Dr. Richard Schneider, president of Norwich University.