By George: Vol. I

Hello, FLC!

As our nation celebrates America's 250th birthday, we're reminded that innovation has always been part of our story — from the Wright brothers to the moon landing. Today, that tradition lives on in our federal laboratories, where groundbreaking research continues to improve lives, strengthen our economy, and enhance our national security. It is a privilege to join the Federal Laboratory Consortium as its new Executive Director during this historic year!

I come to the FLC from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, where I started my career as a mechanical engineer in Diving & Life Support Systems. My role was to design and test military diver life support equipment. As I'm sure many of you can relate, my transition into technology transfer was unexpected! Utilizing CRADAs to rapidly speed up the development and transition of critical military diving technologies showcased the value of these tools that live outside of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). After being involved in work under multiple CRADAs and Patent License Agreements (PLAs), I knew that I wanted to share the value of these tools across my command to better support our sailors and Marines!

I attended my first FLC meeting in 2015 and was immediately hooked. The energy among the attendees was contagious and I was so fascinated by the diversity of the profession. From scientists and engineers to marketing and business professionals, the T2 community is made of people from so many unique educational backgrounds, experiences, and professions. Fast forward to today: I have never felt surer of where I'm supposed to be. The federal laboratories play a critical role in the health and security of our nation. What a privilege it is to spend my days providing support and resources to our labs!

July was also a fitting time to start this journey; although signed into law that October, the Steven-Wydler Technology Innovation Act was introduced in July 1980, alongside the Bayh-Dole Act that same summer. Two years later, on July 22, 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed the Small Business Innovation Development Act into law, creating the Small Business Innovation Research program. It feels like the right backdrop for a new chapter — both the FLC's and my own!

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my friend and mentor, Paul Zielinski. His passion for technology transfer is evident in the lasting impact he has had on the T2 community. We are deeply grateful for his wisdom, historical knowledge, and expertise across the technology transfer landscape. I plan to continue his legacy by ensuring that the FLC remains the go-to resource and voice of federal technology transfer.

In other FLC news, we were finally able to hold our National Meeting in Seattle! We had another high turnout this year, which I believe is a testament to the benefits our members gain from the National Meeting. We strive every year to improve based on member feedback, and it shows in the high-quality content, speakers, and outcomes.

We just wrapped up the 2026 BIO International Convention. Thank you to all of the labs that participated! Next up, the FLC is headed to the NAPEX Annual Conference and the Florida Small Business Success Summit in August.

In leadership news, the FLC Executive Board is excited to welcome some new faces. Effective immediately, Sharon Soucek (NIH) has been selected as the new Facilitate Committee Chair, and Kristine Moes (VA) steps into Sharon's former role as Southeast Regional Coordinator. Effective October 1, we welcome new Members-at-Large Steve Ferguson (NIH) and Adam Lucht (US CYBERCOM) as well as Stephen Crutchfield (NIWC Pacific) as Far West Regional Coordinator. We also welcome two new Deputy Regional Coordinators: Sarah Hibbs-Shipp (USDA) for the Mid-Continent Region and Joshua Laravie (AFRL) for the Midwest Region.

There's more happening across the FLC:

• 2027 FLC Planner: Submissions are open through Aug. 17, so start looking for your lab's best photos now.
• 2027 FLC Awards: The FLC Awards cycle is officially open! Submit your best tech and people for the most prestigious honors in federal technology transfer, by Oct. 16. Winners will be recognized at the next FLC National Meeting in Chicago. Learn more here.
• Podcast: Whether you're driving to work or to a summer vacation, catch our recent episodes with Deana Jones, David McFeeters-Krone, and yours truly!
• Online Learning: On-demand courses are always available in our Learning Center; select National Meeting session recordings will be available if you missed or want to revisit your favorite session.
• Events Calendar: Check it out here so you never miss any of the action.
• PROTM Program: Are you a technology transfer expert looking for a professional designation? If you have at least three years of service at a federal laboratory, the Professional Registered ORTAs (PRO^TM) program is for you! Check it out here.

Thank you for welcoming me into this role with the FLC. Together with our dedicated team and the broader T2 community, I look forward to strengthening the FLC's role in the national innovation ecosystem!