Speakers

Professor Stephen R. Forrest was appointed Vice President for Research at University of Michigan in September, 2005 and began his appointment on January 1, 2006. He also holds faculty appointments as Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Professor of Physics in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. He also leads the Optoelectronics Components and Materials Group (OCM) at the University of Michigan.

First at Bell Labs, he investigated photodetectors for optical communications. In 1985, Professor Forrest joined the Electrical Engineering and Materials Science Departments at the University of Southern California where worked on optoelectronic integrated circuits, and organic semiconductors. In 1992, Professor Forrest became the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Electrical Engineering at Princeton University. He served as Director of the National Center for Integrated Photonic Technology and as Director of Princeton’s Center for Photonics and Optoelectronic Materials (POEM). From 1997-2001, he served as the Chair of the Princeton’s Electrical Engineering Department. In 2006, Professor Forrest joined the faculty of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, as Collegiate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Physics, as well as the Vice President for Research.

A Fellow of the IEEE and OSA and a member of the National Academy of Engineering, he received the IEEE/LEOS Distinguished Lecturer Award in 1996-97, and in 1998 he was co-recipient of the IPO National Distinguished Inventor Award as well as the Thomas Alva Edison Award for innovations in organic LEDs. In 1999, Professor. Forrest received the MRS Medal for work on organic thin films. In 2001, he was awarded the IEEE/LEOS William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award for advances made on photodetectors for optical communications systems. In 2007, the IEEE has named Stephen R. Forrest, Sir Richard H. Friend and Ching Tang as co-recipients of its 2007 Daniel E. Noble Award, recognizing their pioneering contributions to the development of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), that paved the way for advancements in high-efficiency flat-panel displays and solid-state light sources for general lighting.

Professor Forrest has authored some 425 papers in refereed journals, and has 175 patents. He is co-founder or founding participant in several companies, including Sensors Unlimited, Epitaxx, Inc., Global Photonic Energy Corp., Universal Display Corp. (NASDAQ: PANL) and Apogee Photonics, Inc..

Paul Schutt is the co-founder of Issue Media Group, a Detroit-based media company that publishes online magazines in cities such as Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore, and is preparing to launch in Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Toronto. IMG publications focus on growth, investment and remarkable new economy talent. www.issuemediagroup.com.

Rick Snyder is Chair of the Board, CEO and a co-founder of Ardesta. Since 1991, his primary business activities have focused on the technology industry and the development of emerging and high growth companies.

In 1997, Rick founded and led Avalon Investments, Inc., a venture capital company targeted at investments in technology-oriented ventures. Avalon was established as a $100 million fund targeting early stage technology investments. From 1997 to 2000, it invested in 24 companies, including several that were started based on technology transferred from universities.

From 1991 to 1997, he served as executive vice president and then president and COO of Gateway, Inc. His responsibilities included overseeing all company operations and assisting in the strategic direction of the company. During his tenure at Gateway, the company grew from a privately held $500 million company to a NYSE-traded organization with revenues in excess of $6 billion.

From 1982 to 1991, Rick was with Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). He began in the tax department of the Detroit office and became a partner there in 1988. In 1989, he was named partner in charge of the mergers and acquisitions practice in C&L&rsquot;s Chicago office. He built a significant practice for the firm, focusing primarily on buyer's side due diligence investigations. From 1982 to 1984, Rick served as an adjunct assistant professor of accounting at the University of Michigan.

Rick studied at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree with high distinction in 1977, a Masters of Business Administration with distinction in 1979, and a Juris Doctor in 1982. He completed his third degree at age 23.

Besides his business responsibilities, Rick has been active in community affairs and has held leadership positions in a variety of charitable and economic development organizations. Currently, Rick serves as Chairman of Ann Arbor SPARK, the innovative focused economic development organization formed by the University of Michigan and local and state government. Rick is active on the boards or advisory boards of several privately held companies and community and educational organizations, including:

• The University of Michigan’s
  • Tech Transfer Advisory Board
  • The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Advisory Board
  • Comprehensive Cancer Center
• The Nature Conservancy (Michigan Chapter)
• The Henry Ford

Rick is also a member of the Michigan Bar Association.