CAZ director named Vice President for Research at Marshall

Dr. John M. Maher, executive director of the Chemical Alliance Zone Inc. (CAZ) since October 2003, has been named Vice President for Research with the Marshall University Research Corp. (MURC), effective Sept. 1, Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp announced today. Maher replaces Dr. Howard Aulick, who retired.

“I am looking forward to working with everyone in the Marshall community and continuing the good work of the Research Corporation,” Dr. Maher said. “We want to make the Research Corporation a leading service organization for the university, make our environment conducive to growing the research enterprise substantially, and build on our excellent record of compliance and economic development. Many significant opportunities are on the horizon for Marshall, and we at the Research Corporation will be working to make those opportunities a reality.”

MURC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that serves as the fiscal and administrative agent for sponsored research and other projects conducted by Marshall University. The corporation has the authority to enter into agreements with external funding agencies on behalf of the university, and it provides a complete range of administrative and fiscal services in support of funded projects.

The Chemical Alliance Zone is a nonprofit group of citizens, labor leaders, educators, government officials, chemical executives and business leaders committed to maintaining and expanding the presence of the chemical industry in Cabell, Kanawha, Putnam and Wayne counties. As director, Dr. Maher served as the chief executive of a statewide collaborative organization devoted to economic development in the chemical and allied sectors.

Dr. Maher is also President and Managing Partner of Rampant Technology Partners, LLC, a South Charleston-based chemistry and materials consulting and research firm. Before serving at the Chemical Alliance Zone, he worked for 21 years at Union Carbide, serving in a broad range of technical and managerial assignments, in areas as diverse as catalysis, plant technology support, capital project execution and new business development.

Dr. Maher is a graduate of Cornell and Harvard Universities. He received his A.B. in Chemistry from Cornell University in 1976, a Master of Science from Harvard in 1981, and a Ph.D. in Organic/Organometallic Chemistry from Harvard in 1986.

“Beginning with his academic credentials to his accomplishments in new business creation, Dr. John Maher brings to Marshall University impressive credentials and achievements in both research and research-based economic development,” Kopp said. “His entrepreneurial outlook and proven ability to lead research program development bode well for Marshall University as we intensify our commitment to research that will yield new scientific breakthroughs, create new business opportunities and expand job growth in our region. I am confident that Dr. Maher is the right person to lead Marshall University’s research enterprise.”

Dr. Maher was born in Texas, grew up in New York City and lives in Charleston with his wife Regan.