The first director of West Virginia Universitys Office of Technology Transfer has accepted a job with Georgia Tech.

George Harker, head of the technology transfer office since its inception in July 1999, leaves Aug. 31 to become Georgia Techs director of Office of Technology Licensing.

“Overall, it was a difficult decision to make because Ive had a good experience launching the Office of Technology Transfer,”Dr. Harker said.”However, the offer from Georgia Tech, which has been involved in technology transfer for 10 years, was too good to pass up. Its an opportunity for me to take over a bigger office with more technology and patents.

“If I could have cloned myself, I think I would have stayed and gone at the same time,”he added.

The Office of Technology Transfer, part of the WVU Research Corp., is responsible for identifying, patenting and marketing research and technology with potential commercial value.

Harker worked closely with Scott Rotruck, WVU s outgoing director of economic development, to strengthen ties between research and technology at WVU and state economic development initiatives.

“Scott and I started some things that will no doubt continue long after we leave,”he said.”The opportunity here for technology transfer is still very bright, and I am sure WVU will continue to play a key role in the states economic development efforts.”

Before coming to WVU , Harker was director of international business and research development for Nelson Brothers Inc., a Birmingham, Ala.-based specialty chemicals company. He has also worked for DuPont, Chemtex International and Ensign-Bickford Co.

John Weete, associate provost for research, said Harkers leadership will be missed.

“George has done an outstanding job of getting the Office of Technology Transfer off the ground and moving our program in this area forward over the past two years,”Weete said.”Although I am disappointed that he will be leaving, I wish him well in his new position.”

A national search for a new director is under way, he added.

Meantime, Weete and Shannon Sheehan, associate director of technology transfer, will oversee the functions of the office.

Sheehan, who began Aug. 1, has a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Illinois and a masters degree in business administration from the University of Arizona. He was involved in technology transfer at the University of Arizona and has written a book on the topic.