University of Missouri Vice President Appointed to The Missouri Partnership Board of Directors

ST. LOUIS, MO, May 19, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Missouri Partnership, the state's non-profit business attraction and marketing organization, today announced Dr. Michael F. Nichols, University of Missouri System vice president of research and economic development, has accepted an invitation by the Hawthorn Foundation to serve as a member of the Missouri Partnership Board of Directors. Nichols will serve an open three-year term.

"Mike's dedication to education as well as his commitment to the economic development of the state makes him a great selection for the Board," said Mike Esser, Board Chairman of the Hawthorn Foundation. "After adjusting our strategy this year to align more with higher education, we were pleased that Mike accepted our invitation to the Board, and we look forward to working with him to attract more business to the state."

The Missouri Partnership, created in 2007, is jointly supported by the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the non-profit Hawthorn Foundation. The Missouri Partnership is recognized as one of the nation's premier statewide private sector business recruitment organizations. The organization actively engages with regional and local firms to attract new companies and advance Missouri's national and international presence as an industry leader.

The Hawthorn Foundation, created in 1982 by then-Governor Christopher "Kit" Bond, is an organization of corporations and business leaders who are working to make Missouri's future brighter by encouraging the economic success of the state. The private investment by some of Missouri's most prominent business leaders has resulted in the creation of innovative marketing programs, significant gains in industry growth and economic development for Missouri.

"I am very excited to be joining the board of an organization as successful as the Missouri Partnership," Nichols said. "The integration of university economic development efforts with the advantageous work of the Missouri Partnership will allow progress towards increasing Missouri jobs, GDP and industry standings to be accomplished more effectively."

Nichols became the vice president for research and economic development in November 2007. He brings more than 25 years of experience in research, product development and small business startup and operations. Since 2007, the office of research and economic development has been successful in achieving, and surpassing its goals. In the past year alone, Nichols has lead the establishment of the $5 million Enterprise Investment Program, influenced the Missouri legislature to make beneficial economic development changes to Missouri's Sunshine Law, and welcomed the Kauffman Foundation Commercialization Leader Award recognizing the University of Missouri System's novel student intellectual property ownership rights.

About Missouri Partnership
Since 2007, the nonprofit The Missouri Partnership has worked in concert with state, regional and local economic development groups, as well as private industry, to attract new companies to Missouri by marketing the state's business advantages. Through effective branding, advertising, earned media, trade show attendance, and targeted relationship-building, the Partnership's team of seasoned economic development and marketing professionals seek to promote Missouri as a top destination for new capital investment and job creation. For more information about The Missouri Partnership visit: http://www.missouripartnership.com.