West Virginia University President James P. Clements will discuss the involvement of higher education in the continuing drive to diversify West Virginia’s economy during a special panel discussion held as part of the annual Teaming To Win conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the I-79 Research Center in Fairmont.

Dr. Clements will be joined in the panel discussion by Brian Noland, chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and Thomas Krepel, president of Fairmont State University.

Teaming to Win has been a premier event serving northern West Virginia’s business community every year for two decades. The event emphasizes the Mountain State’s technology sector and its importance in future economic development initiatives. The event also strives to foster collaboration and recognize unique competencies among the many regional companies and individuals attending.

Federal agency representatives offering counseling and information on how to do business with the government are also a part of the event.

Teaming to Win incorporates more than 150 trade show exhibits, technology demonstrations, corporate presentations, business counseling sessions, keynote speakers and other activities into a three-day conference.

Clements, who became WVU’s new president earlier this year, said he is excited to continue carrying the WVU message of engagement and innovation for research and economic development as part of the Teaming to Win program.

“Congressman (Alan) Mollohan and the entire Teaming to Win initiative have remained focused on the need to diversify the state’s economy by building new initiatives and opportunities for a new generation of hard working West Virginians,” Clements said.
At WVU, he added, faculty, staff and researchers are also working to help diversify the state’s economy. A good example, he said, is WVU’s academic partnership with the FBI to facilitate research, development and training in biometric technologies that will help fight terrorism and aid in intelligence efforts.

“I look forward to discussing approaches for additional involvement of higher education in the important work under way,” Clements said. “Teaming to Win is the perfect forum for that discussion.”

Teaming to Win organizers announced that NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Beth Garver will be the keynote speaker at the event.

For more information and event agenda, visit www.teamingtowin.org or phone (304) 285-1306.

-WVU-
10-05-09

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