By Brenda Hough
The University of Arizona (UA) recently appointed Carol Stewart, a long-standing authority on research parks, to advance the University of Arizona’s Tech Parks. Stewart is leading the UA Tech Park at Rita Road, which is celebrating its 25 year anniversary, developing the UA Tech Park at The Bridges (36th Street and Kino Blvd.), and elevating the business incubator the Arizona Center for Innovation. Stewart succeeds Bruce Wright, who developed the UA Tech Park since inception in 1994 and who recently retired.
Stewart’s expertise in university research parks spans decades and nations. As a pioneer in the research parks world, she has more than 20 years of experience working with research parks, technology commercialization, business incubation, governmental relations and business development.
Previously, Stewart served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of University Research Parks, which represents 200 research parks. In this role, she collaborated with numerous leaders world-wide to build and grow university-related research parks through education, unification, and collaboration.
Stewart hails from Canada and was recruited from Waterloo, Ontario. The significance of this recruitment is equal to recruiting a CEO out of Silicon Valley to run a tech company. Her wisdom of global best practices and dynamo attitude will bring about a monumental change in the business climate in Southern Arizona.
“I am thrilled to work with the University of Arizona! It is a momentous time, with UA President Robert Robbins releasing the new strategic plan, the Tech Parks can be shining examples of the environment where the Fourth Industrial Revolution happens. It is my goal to weave these innovation districts into the very fabric of the community,” said Carol Stewart.
On January 29, community members met Carol Stewart during the bi-annual community update meeting at the UA Tech Park. She shared UA Tech Park updates including tenant expansions, plans for the new on-site wellness center, and the planned commercial development – The Village at the UA Tech Park. She also noted recent awards, including the UA Tech Park’s Best Workplace designation by the Arizona Daily Star Readers’ Choice Awards in 2018 and Ken Marcus’ award of CFO of the Year for a non-profit by the Executives of Excellence award program. She gave a warm welcome to the Park’s newest tenant – CTECH, a security software startup firm founded by Vail’s very own MaRico Tippett and Chris Phillips. Hampton Hotels’ representative Jerry Fischer was also on hand to present updates on the hotel development adjacent to the UA Tech Park.
Brenda Hough is the Community Relations Coordinator for Tech Parks Arizona and a Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member.
