Meet Your Board: David Lee
Meet Your Board is a regular series spotlighting each member of the FLC’s Executive Board, the governing body responsible for carrying out the organization’s mandated mission to promote, educate and facilitate federal technology transfer.
1. What has drawn you to a career in federal technology transfer?
Literally, the draw was the former head of Tech Transfer for my lab (Tim Ryan) walking up to me and saying, “Hey, you’re a lawyer, right? Would you be interested in working on my team?” I had no idea what he was talking about and had to ask others what his office actually did.
What has kept me in T2 is the interesting blend of science, business and law that I encounter daily while pushing our lab’s mission forward – for people who are interested in all three, T2 can be a great fit.
2. What motivates you to volunteer your time to serve on the Board?
The opportunity to meet like-minded T2 professionals from other agencies, and to learn from and work alongside them to help steward and grow the profession. In short, the people and the FLC mission.
3. What strength or skill do you bring to your position on the Board?
As someone who likes to network and listen to people, I bring the ability to listen while being able to share different viewpoints and ideas – it’s only after listening and sharing that we can work together to distill the best courses of action.
4. As you and the Board guide the FLC’s future direction, what do you anticipate will have the most significant impact on the landscape of federal tech transfer in the coming years?
Two things: 1) I believe that the continuing adoption by federal agencies of T2 as a “mission enabler” will significantly impact how T2 is used and looked at in the coming years. 2) The establishment of the FLC’s Learning Management System and the FLC’s expanding opportunities for training will significantly impact and shape T2 positively in the coming years.
5. What is one little-known fact about yourself?
I have a minor love affair with both Trader Joe’s and Costco. My wife and I have an understanding.
