GOVERNMENT

The State of Oregon has appointed Erik Stenehjem of Battelle in Richland, Wash., to serve as science and technology advisor to Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Under terms of the agreement, Stenehjem will provide advice to the governor on scientific, technology and technology transfer issues related to state policy development and analysis. He also will provide similar counsel to the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, and the Oregon Innovation Council. He will be based at OECDD's Portland offices. Battelle operates the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., for the federal government. While with Battelle, Stenehjem has been responsible for creating new technology-based ventures and building partnerships with Northwest institutions to enhance science and technology collaboration and knowledge-based economic development. He has led teams that have structured, launched and overseen venture-backed businesses built around PNNL-developed technologies, the most recent of which have evolved into products available in national and international markets. "I am pleased to enter into this partnership with Battelle and am pleased Erik has accepted this appointment," Gov. Ted Kulongoski said. "Erik's expertise in technology and knowledge-based industries will be an asset in our focus on not only supporting current industries but also as we look at attracting and developing emerging clusters that will provide economic stability for Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest for the long-term." At Battelle, Stenehjem worked with regional research institutions - including the University of Oregon and Oregon State University - to find and bundle similar or complementary technologies from their intellectual property portfolios, and then pair them with knowledge-based clusters of economic activity within the region. Stenehjem serves on the Washington Economic Development Commission's steering committee for technology commercialization and the board of advisors for the entrepreneurship center at the University of Washington. He also teaches entrepreneurship and new business creation courses in MBA programs at the University of Washington and Washington State University. Stenehjem earned a doctorate in political economy from the State University of New York and a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Minnesota. He was a recipient of the Federal Laboratory Consortium award for excellence in technology commercialization in 2005. Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle also operates the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., for the federal government. PNNL employs 4,200 staff, has a $700 million annual budget, and has been managed by Battelle since the lab's inception in 1965.