Carol Stewart, former director of the David Johnston Research + Technology Park at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, has made an entrance, as she claims to have “brought the snow” to Tucson when she arrived early January.
Stewart has been appointed the new associate vice president of Tech Parks Arizona following the retirement of Bruce Wright.
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Stewart said she prides herself not on the personal traits she possesses, but the ability to use those traits to help those around her, build partnerships and identify opportunities that most would overlook.
“I can bring a lot of history,” Stewart said.
Stewart said that she helped construct the fourth best incubator in the world in 2006. She is also the president of the Arizona Center for Innovation, a technology business incubator which aids the Tucson community and the university.
Stewart spoke on multiple projects that Tech Parks Arizona is working on, giving insight on what the center does for the university and community.
The Rita Road and the Arizona Center of Innovation at the UA Tech Park at The Bridges are two projects which were a major topic of discussion.
According to Stewart, Rita Road will see the overhauling of one of the older buildings with the addition of a fitness center and a “class A space” for new technology equipment for tech parks.
Stewart predicts the renovations will be finished by the fall of 2019.
The Bridges will receive upgrades on services and utilities for its first project, which according to Stewart, President Dr. Robert Robbins said will be a UA commercialization hub.
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Stewart’s experience working with tech parks have allowed her to hit the ground running. Aside from directing the David Johnston Research + Technology Park in Canada, where she oversaw planning and development of the park and several other responsibilities, Stewart has more than 20 years of experience working with business incubation, business development and research parks.
Stewart is also the co-founder and former president of the Canadian Association of University Research Parks and was an active board member from 2010-2018.
In her new position, Stewart said she will aim to foster cohesiveness among many to spur innovation, economic growth in a global economy and commercialization through the UA and government partnerships for the betterment of the university.
Stewart said she looks forward to working alongside Robbins and keeping a tight business relationship. “You need to have support from leadership,” she said when asked about how she plans to conduct future endeavors.
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