University of Missouri creates new post of economic development

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- The University of Missouri on Thursday named an official in its agriculture college as the school system's first vice president for research and economic development.

John C. Gardner is to begin his new duties Oct. 1, with the goal of coordinating the university's economic development initiatives with local, state and federal agencies, said university system President Elson Floyd.

Gov. Matt Blunt, who has made the state's entrepreneurial climate one of his top priorities, praised the university's "bold decision" to create the position. He said Gardner could help promote the commercialization of new technologies developed at the university, which could spur job creation.

"By harnessing the academic and research expertise at the University of Missouri, we are going to be able to jump-start our economic development efforts in new and exciting ways," Blunt said in a written statement.

Gardner currently serves as associate dean of research and outreach in the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. In that role, he has managed both the on-campus research programs and those at the 21 sites operated around the state by the Agricultural Experiment Station.

Before joining the university in 1999, Gardner was one of the founders of AgGrow Oils, a North Dakota company that produced and marketed specialty oilseeds. He also directed the North Dakota State University research extension center for 10 years.

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