Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation Announces Executive Director for the Kentucky Commercialization Ventures Program 

 

Monique Quarterman to join KSTC as the inaugural leader for KCV 

 

LEXINGTON, KY – The Kentucky Science and Technology Corp. (KSTC) in collaboration with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville announced today Monique Quarterman will serve as the inaugural executive director for Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV). In this role, Quarterman will lead the innovative statewide program to facilitate the participation of Kentucky’s regional public post-secondary institutions in technology development and business creation. 

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“Monique’s broad expertise in business development and extensive relationships in the commercialization community make her an ideal leader to elevate our state,” said Terry Samuel, president of KSTC. “She has proven herself as a results-oriented leader of inclusive innovation through a number of high impact partnerships and initiatives, and is the right person to launch KCV.” 

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“The KCV program has the potential to drive innovation and tech growth in our state in a way we have never seen before, and we are excited that Monique has agreed to lead that charge,” said Tony Ellis, acting executive director of KY Innovation. “We were fortunate to find someone who has so much experience in a variety of areas, and we believe she will be instrumental in bringing together innovators from across the commonwealth to create high-tech jobs and investment.” 

Quarterman previously served as principal to the Quartz Smith consulting firm in addition to serving strategic advisory roles in a variety of industries, including health care, banking, innovation, startups and government. Last year, she completed a legal epidemiology project in partnership with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, Temple University and Centers for Disease Control. In 2018, she was selected via a national search to serve as the Hunger Innovation Fellow, a philanthropic partnership of two foundations. She has served review panels and working groups for KYNETIC, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Innovation Fund, the Kentucky State Matching Funds program and federal agencies. Quarterman also brings to the role experience in technology-transfer, through her role as a project manager at the University of Louisville, where she supported the university in earning several grants. 

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“I am honored to be leading KCV,” Quarterman said. “Kentucky creates the cures, solutions and technologies that our state, our nation and the world needs. I look forward to sharing the ways that our Kentucky public post-secondary institutions lead this process.” 

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Allen Morris, executive director of the UofL Commercialization EPI-Center, noted Quarterman got her start at UofL and said she is a great choice to lead KCV. 

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“We are excited to have Monique join and lead the KCV team,” Morris said. “Monique started her commercialization career with us at UofL, and her impact here and since has been incredible. With her at the helm, KCV will accomplish great things.” 

Ian McClure, executive director of the Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Kentucky added that Quarterman has the well-rounded experience needed to unite the state’s resources to move the commonwealth forward. 

“I am thrilled to have a talent like Monique as executive director of KCV. Monique has a unique background complemented by a combination of experiences reflective of the interdisciplinary nature of university technology commercialization,” McClure said. “She is well-networked in the state and region, and has proven successful at launching ventures, leading initiatives and building culture. Having worked with many leaders of university technology transfer offices, I am confident that Monique will be a fantastic leader of KCV and will do great things for Kentucky’s commercialization culture. We got a good one.” 

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Dr. Aaron Thompson, president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, said this is a major step in the long-term goal of making Kentucky a premier location for innovation. 

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“KCV is providing a tremendous opportunity for colleges and universities to collaborate across the state, and I welcome Monique Quarterman to the team,” Dr. Thompson said. “I also look forward to working with her more closely and learning about her vision for Kentucky’s future. Her appointment moves us one step closer to establishing our state as the hub of innovation that we all know it can be.” 

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About Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) 

Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV), a program of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corp. and supported by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, is Kentucky’s pioneering engine for connecting and leveraging Kentucky’s public post-secondary institutions to fuel research, commercialization and economic growth and ignite life-changing impact for individuals, businesses and communities. 

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KCV partners with Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, and the Kentucky Community & Technical College System as well as the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. 

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For more information about Kentucky Commercialization Ventures, visit kycommercializationventures.com.