Panelists

Molly Corbett Broad, President, University of North Carolina

President of the University of North Carolina since July 1997, Molly Broad manages the University's affairs and executes its policies. In addition, she represents the University to state officials and lawmakers, the federal government and University constituencies. Before coming to UNC, President Broad served as executive vice chancellor for administration and finance from 1993-1997 at the California State University system. She has also held management positions at Arizona's university system and Syracuse University. She holds a master's degree in economics from Ohio State University and a baccalaureate degree in economics from Syracuse University. Active in several professional and civic organizations, President Broad sits on several boards and presides over the International Council for Distance Education and the Internet Board of Trustees.

Henry Kelly, President, Federation of American Scientists

In June 2000, Henry Kelly took office as the President of the Federation of American Scientists.  Before taking on this position, Mr. Kelly worked for seven years as the assistant director for technology in the White House Office of Science and Technology.  This Harvard trained physicist has also worked for the US Department of Energy and the Office of Technology Assessment.

Michael Cassidy, President, The Georgia Research Alliance

The Georgia Research Alliance was formed in 1990 as a partnership between the state's research universities, the business community and the state.  From 1990-1999, the state of Georgia invested $242 million through the Alliance for research and development programs at six universities in Georgia.  The Alliance also raised another $65 million.  The Alliance also credits the state appropriations and the private fundraising with attracting more than $600 million in sponsored research to the state in the past twelve years. 

Deborah Wince-Smith, President, the Council on Competitiveness

Since 1993, Deborah Wince-Smith has been involved with the Council on Competitiveness, first as a senior fellow and now as president.  Before coming to the Council, she was also the first Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy in the US Department of Commerce.  The Council on Competitiveness is the organization that published Harvard Professor Michael Porter's Cluster of Innovation Initiative.  In this project, Dr. Porter examined the economies of five areas throughout the nation, including the Research Triangle Park.  Dr. Porter then outlined what has worked economically in the past for these areas and what steps need to be taken to build upon the regions' successes. 

Victoria Haynes, President, Research Triangle Institute

Before becoming the President of the Research Triangle Institute, Victoria Franchetti Haynes worked in manufacturing and service industries.  From 1992 to 1999 she served as Vice President of the Advanced Technology Group and Chief Technical Officer for BF Goodrich. Now she heads up RTI, which describes itself as "a forward-thinking, non-profit organization that conducts research and development and provides technical services in advanced technologies, environmental sciences, health and pharmaceuticals, public policy and survey and statistics.