Quick Take: Bill Dean

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Bill Dean, a veteran research park and financial executive with more than three decades of experience in developing innovative ideas for research parks, life science parks and biotech incubators, has joined Auburn University as executive director of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation. Dean is a past president of the Association of University Research Parks and former director of other research parks in Alabama and North Carolina.

What has it been like to take over the helm of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation in the midst of a pandemic?

Challenging, but we’re making it work. We’ve continued to move forward with our construction and infrastructure projects while simultaneously shining a light on park success stories.

Given your more than thirty years’ experience building and leading research parks, what do you see as the role of a university research park?

University research parks are catalysts for innovation that drive regional and national economies. More than just a built environment, a park should be strategically crafted to foster the growth of research and tech-based communities. As an example, private sector, knowledge-based businesses whose interests align with university expertise frequently locate in research parks to access talented students and researchers and to benefit from the park’s network of business leaders and entrepreneurs. Skillfully developed solutions translate to measurable economic impact, job creation and improved quality of life.

Auburn Research Park is evolving rapidly at the moment with multiple projects under construction. What’s going on?

For nearly a decade, Auburn Research Park has been a key contributor to the economy of our state and region. The 171-acre park was established by the state of Alabama, the city of Auburn and Auburn University in 2007. In the years that followed, a park community formed — a community that encouraged engagement, partnership and exchange of ideas. Members of that community include the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation, the Auburn University MRI Research Center, the Center for Advanced Science Innovation and Commerce, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, and, as of June of 2019, Big Blue Marble Academy, a state-of-the-art child care facility serving the university, park and city.

In 2019, the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation broke ground on a 100,000-square foot Research and Innovation Center. This facility, located on Devall Drive, will be home to Auburn’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, as well as a range of commercial clients. The ground floor will house the New Venture Accelerator, a new event center (540 at the Park) and a restaurant operated by Amsterdam Café. We’ve just opened the doors to the Research and Innovation Center this fall.

In late 2019, East Alabama Medical Center broke ground on an 84,000-square foot health sciences center that will house a free standing emergency department, an ambulatory surgery center with four surgical suites, as well as health science and medical research units. East Alabama Medical Center’s presence in the park will create additional opportunities for internships and clinical research, and will help serve the medical needs of Auburn’s growing population. Supporting this growth on the west side of the park, we have a significant infrastructure project underway that will create a new entrance off of Shug Jordan Parkway, pave Old Camp Auburn road, create a traffic circle and most importantly, deliver critical utilities to areas identified for current and future development. Both the health sciences center and infrastructure projects should be complete in March of 2021.

Combined, these projects (along with the new child care center) represent nearly $90 million of new investments into Auburn Research Park — investments that will help drive our innovation economy.

What is Auburn Ventures?

Since its inception, Auburn Research Park has been home to an entrepreneurial ecosystem, a place where tech and knowledge-based businesses are developed. As the park begins this next chapter, we want to brand that ecosystem and expand its scope.

Auburn Ventures is the programming and people that make-up our ecosystem—the experience of living and working in a vibrant discovery district. Auburn Research Park is truly a community of innovation where faculty and students pursue the next “big idea.” As a dynamic hub for creativity, Auburn Ventures will establish Auburn Research Park as a destination, promoting research-based business ventures while offering easy access to arts, entertainment, retail shopping, hospitality and event space, as well as residential opportunities.

We’re creating a convergence zone where Auburn’s best and brightest minds can, with flexibility and agility, meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges head on. Transforming technologies into needed products and services is part of Auburn’s mission as a land-grant university. We look forward to welcoming both campus and community members to join us as we begin a new and exciting era of discovery.