Turning research into something people can actually use takes people who can move between science, business, and policy. These professionals must know how to translate complex ideas, build the right partnerships, and guide innovations out of the lab and into the real world. That in-between space is where a lot of the real work happens, and it’s where this conversation begins.

My guest is Andy Myers, who leads technology transfer activities at the Kansas City National Security Campus. His career spans small business research, academia, and nearly a decade in federal tech transfer. We talk about how one simple, essential skill has shaped his career path, what his day-to-day work actually looks like, and how his role within a Department of Energy national security environment brings a different perspective—especially with its focus on manufacturing and moving technologies closer to real-world use.

We also discuss the FLC’s new Professional Registered ORTA (PRO™) verification program, a professional designation that signifies a tech transfer professional’s experience, ongoing skill-building, and engagement in the community. As the Chair of the FLC’s Educate Committee, which created this program, Andy discusses what the program offers, why it matters, and how people can apply.

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