Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania Names New Board Member

BETHLEHEM, PA, September 29, 2010 (Press-News.org) The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) has announced the appointment of Dr. Alan J. Snyder, Vice President and Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Studies at Lehigh University, as a new member of its Board of Directors.

As Lehigh's chief research officer, Dr. Snyder works as part of the leadership team on development of research initiatives, and serves as the primary contact for federal and state funding agencies. He supports faculty, staff, and students as they pursue their research, and supports the translation of university research results into practice, including transition to industry and industry partnerships.

Dr. Snyder comes to the Lehigh Valley from Pennsylvania State University, where he served in numerous roles including Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Research, and Associate Dean for Technology Development and Vice Dean for Research at the College of Medicine. A bioengineer by training, his research focused on design, development and clinical application of devices for use in patients with severe heart failure. A Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Dr. Snyder has often served in an advisory and peer-review role for the National Institutes of Health, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary programs.

Dr. Snyder's experience includes work in technology transfer and partnerships in economic development. He was active in collaborative efforts to develop Harrisburg's regional technology economy, including involvement in the formation of the Harrisburg Region Keystone Innovation Zone, and development of a research park adjacent to Penn State's campus.

Dr. Snyder earned his B.S. in Engineering Science and his Ph.D. in Bioengineering, both from Penn State, University Park.

About the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania
BFTP/NEP's goal is to help lead northeastern Pennsylvania to a better economic future by building partnerships that develop and apply technology for competitive advantage. To achieve this goal, the Ben Franklin staff concentrates efforts on three key areas:

developing early-stage technology-oriented companies,

helping established manufacturers creatively apply new technology and business practices to achieve industry leadership, and

promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth companies.

Since beginning operation, BFTP/NEP has helped to create 14,301 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and to retain 21,236 existing jobs, to start 408 new companies, and to develop 948 new products and processes. BFTP/NEP is headquartered on the campus of Lehigh University and operates Ben Franklin TechVentures, an award-winning business incubator/post-incubator facility, in Bethlehem, and the Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center in Bloomsburg. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners has returned $3.50 to the Pennsylvania treasury for every $1.00 invested in the program.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA promotes, sustains and invests in the transformation of our regional economy through innovation and partnering. For further information, please contact us at 610-758-5200.