In a unanimous decision, the Board
of Directors of the State's leading nanotechnology organization, the Texas
Nanotechnology Initiative (TNI), today announced that Kelly Kordzik has been
elected to serve as President.
Kordzik is a Shareholder with Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. and Chair of
the firm's Nanotechnology Practice. As President of TNI, Kordzik will work
with its members to continue positioning Texas as a nanotechnology superpower.
"Kelly Kordzik is the natural choice to assume the position of President.
He is known throughout Texas' nanotechnology sector because of his leadership
and continued support in advancing the state's position within this industry,"
said Dr. Wade Adams, Chairman of the Board for TNI and Director of the Center
for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University.
According to David Rex, TNI's immediate Past President, "Kelly will bring
new energy and focus to TNI and its constituency."
Kordzik brings over a decade of experience to TNI, as one of the nation's
leading nanotechnology legal experts. In 2002, after spending several years
in providing legal counsel and services to nanotechnology organizations,
Kordzik had the foresight to develop and officially launch the law firm's
Nanotechnology Practice Group, one of the country's first legal practices
developed exclusively to helping companies commercialize and protect their
nanotechnology discoveries.
In addition, as Chair of the Winstead practice, Kordzik represents many of
the country's most innovative companies and universities involved with
nanotechnology, as they grapple with research and development, global
competition and the commercialization of this emerging science. He also has
played an instrumental role in the development and implementation of the
Nanotechnology Colloquiums, a bi-weekly, cutting-edge educational series for
academic, business and venture capital leaders, and news media to discuss
current and future issues related to the development, application and
commercialization of nanotechnology.
"I am honored to serve the members of TNI, and welcome the opportunity to
affect the future of Texas and this science through such a respected and
innovative organization," said Kordzik. "TNI is dedicated to fueling and
commercializing nanotechnology discoveries that will radically alter our daily
lives for the better."
TNI was founded in 2001 by Jim Von Ehr, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Zyvex
Corporation, and Glenn Gaustad, former Chairman of the Board for TNI. Now in
its third year, TNI is a state-wide consortium focused on bringing top
nanotechnology companies, researchers, funding, business and education
entities together to develop the infrastructure necessary to turn Texas into
an international player on the nanotechnology stage.
TNI's mission is of particular significance given the U.S. government's
21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, which allocates
$3.7 billion for nanotechnology research and development over the next four
years. Experts agree that this aggressive financial commitment on the part of
our government leaders further demonstrates their understanding that
nanotechnology is a significant science, which will play an important role in
the nation's economic future.
Texas is already making huge strides in the advancement of nanotechnology.
Additionally, it is home to several premiere nanotechnology research and
development facilities like: Rice University, University of Texas, University
of Texas at Dallas and Texas A&M University, and companies like: Zyvex
Corporation (in Dallas), Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. (CNI, in Houston),
Nanotechnologies, Inc. (in Austin), and Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (in Austin).
Furthermore, with the San Antonio and Austin/San Marcos areas recently
ranked by Entrepreneur.com and Dun & Bradstreet as two of the top 20 best
cities in America for entrepreneurial activity and small-business growth, the
region is well positioned to secure additional funding to continue to grow its
technology sectors.
"Texas is on the verge of exploding into a world-class technology center
for research, development and commercialization of new technologies that will
rival any location." Kordzik added, "My vision is to leverage and build upon
these technology assets to position Texas and TNI as the leader in the next
trillion dollar industry."
For more information about the Texas Nanotechnology Initiative, please
visit the Web site at http://www.texasnano.org .
