AURP Announces New CEO and Launches 'AURP HQ2' in Washington, DC Area

TUCSON, Ariz., and COLLEGE PARK, Md., Feb. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a professional association of university-related research and science parks, announced the appointment of Brian Darmody, Associate Vice President of Corporate Engagement at the University of Maryland (UMD), as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Additionally, the association has opened a new office at the UMD Discovery District in the Washington, DC area, to be known as 'AURP HQ2.' Mr. Darmody will immediately assume his new role as CEO at the new location. He will continue his role at UMD and plans to transition out of UMD over time.

As a 37-year UMD administrator, Mr. Darmody is a respected and well-known champion of research parks and innovation districts. He is a frequent speaker on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC covering topics that include research, entrepreneurship, federal opportunityzones (OZ), and a variety of government initiatives regarding technology and innovation.

"I am honored to be selected as AURP's CEO," said Mr. Darmody. "This is an exciting time of change for the research park community – universities are developing 'mini research parks' on campuses with research facilities that incorporate space for private companies, student startups and recreational and retail amenities. Community colleges, federal labs and corporations are developing mixed-use live, work, play facilities. For example, the new Amazon 'HQ2' slated for the greater Washington, DC region is a unique kind of corporate research park with novel academic resources surrounding Amazon's engineers and scientists. Another exciting development is the new funding for parks located inside Opportunity Zones."

On behalf of AURP, Mr. Darmody plans to expand outreach to state governments, research universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), community colleges, federal labs, corporations and communities to expand interest and to build research parks and innovation districts. His desire and vision is to promote the growth of international delegations exploring research parks and universities in North America, as well as to help research park tenants who wish to develop a global presence through AURP's new DC-area office.

"Brian is a recognized industry leader with vast experience in university, industry and government relations," said AURP President Dan Duncan, Executive Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus. "The AURP Board of Directors is looking forward to working with Brian as we expand AURP's resources and awareness to further develop our strategic initiatives."

"Our administration is pleased that the Association of University Research Parks is opening an office in Maryland," said Governor Larry Hogan. "As home to the most highly-educated workforce in the nation, our state is the perfect place for continued science and technology development, and we look forward to working with the Association to create another community of innovation right here in Maryland."

About AURP
The Association of University Research Parks is a professional association of university related research and science parks. AURP's mission is to foster innovation, commercialization and economic growth through university, industry and government partnerships. For more information, visit AURP's Website at www.aurp.net.

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SOURCE Association of University Research Parks

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