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Auburn's Technology Transfer Staff

John Weete, PhD
Assistant Vice President for Technology Transfer and Commercialization

Dr. Weete received his BS and MS degrees at Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches, Texas and PhD at the University of Houston. He was formally a professor and associate dean at Auburn University before becoming the Vice President of Research and Economic Development at West Virginia University and President of the WVU Research Corporation. As Assistant Vice President, he is responsible for strategic and budgetary planning, and increasing university contacts with industry. In addition, he is the executive director of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation where he oversees development and operation of the Auburn Research Park.

Jan Dowdle Thornton, JD
Director

Ms. Thornton holds an MBA degree from the University of Alabama and a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law. Formerly with the Marketing Operations Department of Protective Life Corporation, Thornton came to AU in June 1994. As director, she is responsible for the leadership and management of the OTT office, its technology commercialization, industry relations, and policy development activities.

George Konstant
Associate Director, Contracts Administration

Mr. Konstant holds an MBA degree and Bachelors' degrees in Accounting and Chemistry from Auburn University. An AU employee since 1986, Konstant has served as assistant director of AU's Study Abroad/Exchange program and manager of International Projects. He also has been assistant director and a contract specialist with Contracts & Grants (now Sponsored Programs).

As associate director, he works closely with faculty, industry and other universities regarding agreements to promote Auburn-developed technologies.

Brian Wright, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Commercialization

Dr. Wright holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. He spent several years as a small business entrepreneur before returning to his undergraduate alma mater in September 2002 as a technology transfer officer in Engineering.

As associate director, he works with and assists the technology transfer officers on various projects, oversees initiatives to reach out to industry and other research institutions, and markets, negotiates and licenses technologies from Auburn's research laboratories.

Lew Scharpf, Ph.D.
Technology Transfer Officer

Dr. Scharpf holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and was in corporate industrial research until coming to Auburn in November 2000. His responsibilities include promoting Auburn University's intellectual property to the private sector, fostering a productive relationship between Auburn researchers and industry, and encouraging the creation of new technology-based intellectual property at Auburn University.

Judy O'Neal
Office Supervisor

Judy joined Auburn in October 2009. Prior to joining OTT she was employed with HD Supply, Inc. for 32 years serving in multiple national financial roles. Her responsibilities included operational and financial management, reporting, analysis, budgeting and accounts payable.  Judy attended both Auburn University and Columbus State University with concentrations in Mathematics and Accounting.

Her role at Auburn is to manage the financial and administrative operations of the office and to provide direct support to the Director.

Rhea James
Technology Transfer Assistant

Rhea has been employed with Auburn University since 1985. Prior to joining the Office of Technology Transfer in September 2004, she worked at the Office of Development for 17 years and the Ralph Brown Draughon Library.

Rhea provides day to day administrative support to the Associate Director for Contracts Administration and interacts with faculty and industry leaders regarding agreements.

Misty Schwieker
Technology Transfer Assistant

Misty holds a Specialized Associates of Science in Court Reporting. She joined the department in September 2004 and her responsibilities include providing general staff and administrative support for the office at large as well as providing direct support to the Associate Director for IP Affairs and Compliance regarding patent filings, maintenance and correspondence with outside counsel.