The Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE) has announced the hiring of Peter H. Zaehringer as deputy director. In this role, Zaehringer will contribute to the center’s strategic plan, oversee the implementation of goals and provide leadership and management of CASE’s day-to-day operations.
Peter Zaehringer
Zaehringer is an economic and business development professional with over 20 years of national and international experience. Most recently, he served as vice president of economic development with the Greater Green Bay Chamber in Green Bay, Wisconsin. There, Peter brought together more than 300 regional stakeholders to develop the region’s first comprehensive economic development strategy focused on innovation, retention and attraction of businesses and talent. His efforts were instrumental in attracting TitletownTech—a globally competitive innovation destination and partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft. Zaehringer also directed the Advance Business Development Center, a business and manufacturing incubator.
“I am delighted that we have been able to attract Peter to Syracuse from Green Bay, where his accomplishments in the area of economic development were truly impressive,” says Pramod K. Varshney, director of CASE and distinguished professor of electrical engineering and computer science. “I believe that his skill set is ideal for this position, and I expect that he will be instrumental in taking CASE to a new level.”
CASE is an Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) Center for Advanced Technology. The center helps companies identify faculty collaborators and establish joint university-industry research projects; cultivate ongoing relationships with industry partners, co-op companies and corporate prospects; network with other high-tech businesses; and engage with local and state government and economic development entities.
CASE has operated on the Syracuse University campus since 1984, bringing together traditional academic strengths in research and education to promote strong university-industry interaction and generate positive economic impact across New York State and beyond. It currently works with over 60 companies, leveraging nearly one million dollars in annual state investment with well over the required $1.25 million matching funds from industry. The center’s total economic impact, as measured by the state over the last 20 years has been over $500 million, growing businesses and bringing new revenues, jobs and investment to New York State.
“Peter rose to the top of a rich pool of candidates in a national search because of his significant experience in economic development, his passion for facilitating university-industry partnerships, and his leadership skills in making good things happen,” says John Liu,the University’s vice president for research. “Given historical successes of CASE, it is exciting to expect that Peter will contribute to an even brighter future for CASE.”
Zaehringer says, “I am truly excited to join Dr. Varshney, the team at CASE and, of course, the Syracuse University family. CASE has a longstanding tradition of recognized innovation, and I look forward to propelling our research, programs and partnerships to bring greater opportunities to faculty, students and industry partners.”
