Sebelius appointees to promote high-tech industries
Governor appoints five to Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation

Attracting new, high-tech businesses to Kansas is a priority for the state and it’s the goal of the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC).

To help guide the organization, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed Kyle Elliot, Richard Lariviere, Tom Lauerman, J. David McDonald and Ron Trewyn to the KTEC Board of Directors.

“We’ve got a great opportunity to bring jobs and investment to Kansas through our support of high-tech businesses.  KTEC is a critical part of our economic growth strategy, and these individuals will help guide it, and our state, into the future,” said Sebelius.

KTEC promotes technology-based economic growth and job creation by partnering with businesses and entrepreneurs to connect them to financing, facilities, equipment and expertise.

Elliot, Shawnee, works as an attorney and partner of Spencer, Fane, Britt and Browne, LLP in Kansas City. He has practiced law relating to technology and property since 1993 and is a member of the California, Kansas, and Missouri bar associations.  Elliot earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1990 and a law degree from the University of Kansas in 1992.

Lariviere, Lawrence, is the executive vice-chancellor and provost at the University of Kansas.  He served as the dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas from 1999 to 2006.  Lariviere is the recipient of several academic awards, most recently the 2004 Margaret C. Berry Award for outstanding contributions to student life at the University of Texas.  Professionally, he serves on the Hong Kong-American Center board of directors and the Council on Foreign Relations.  Lariviere has published a number of articles, books, reviews and textbook chapters.  He received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978.

Lauerman, Leawood, is the co-founder of GeoAccess, a Lenexa-based health care software and Internet service provider, which has since merged with United Health Group, Inc. Currently Lauerman works in the investment field, making angel investments in start-up technology companies based in Kansas.  Lauerman passed all 10 of the Society of Actuaries actuarial exams and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in computer science and actuarial science.

McDonald, Wichita, chairs the Department of Biological Sciences at Wichita State University. McDonald’s published work has been cited in over 500 manuscripts, with the majority published in the top scientific journals in the country. McDonald has addressed numerous audiences and is an expert in biotechnology. Additionally, McDonald has been a part of statewide biological research committees. McDonald has a doctorate in biology from Kansas State University.

Trewyn, Manhattan, is the vice provost for research and dean of the graduate school at Kansas State University. Trewyn is also a professor of biology and the president of the Kansas State University Research Foundation. He has been published in a variety of journals on academic administration and biology, and has taken part in projects for organizations ranging from the American Cancer Society to NATO. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Association for Cancer Research.  He is also a member of the Kansas BIO Board of Directors and served as the education and public policy committee chair from 2004 to 2006.  Trewyn received his doctorate in 1974 from Oregon State University.

The following individuals were reappointed to serve:

• David Brant, Wichita
• Doug Brush, Downs

# # #