The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is bringing back Zane Gernhart to lead the Office of Industry Relations, appointing him executive director effective 23 March.
The position is responsible for providing strategic leadership for industry engagement activities.
The Office of Industry Relations works closely with tech transfer arm NUtech Ventures, the public-private Nebraska Innovation Campus, college-based industry engagement efforts, and campus leaders.
Gernhart has been the executive director of the NDSU Research Foundation, the nonprofit commercialisation arm of the North Dakota State University, since July 2023.
Before this, Gernhart spent more than nine years working for NUtech Ventures, including as senior technology manager from January 2020 to July 2023.
“I’m excited about this opportunity. In my previous role with NUtech Ventures, I had the opportunity to work closely with researchers across campus on commercialisation efforts. I look forward to re-engaging with former colleagues and to learning about new research initiatives at UNL.”
Zane Gernhart
NUtech Ventures is run by Cheryl Horst. She had been the interim executive director since July 2024 and was appointed to the post permanently four months ago.
