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| Robert Parker, director of the NASA Management Office, President Bob Suzuki and Paul Storey, director of the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, sign a memorandum of understanding during an official signing ceremony between NASA and Cal Poly Pomona. |
Fueled by a mutual vision of technology development and growth in the Pomona Valley, Cal Poly Pomona and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) joined forces five years ago to create the NASA Commercialization Center business incubator.
On Tuesday, May 6, both sides came together again to sign a memorandum of understanding, the first important step toward continuing their productive association.
President Bob Suzuki took part in an official signing ceremony held at the College of the Extended University?s Center for Training, Technology & Incubation (CTTI). Also signing the memorandum were Robert Parker, director of the NASA Management Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Van Garner, dean of the College of the Extended University.
?I?m very pleased to see us renewing this partnership. NASA adds tremendous visibility and credibility. In discussions I?ve had, both in this country and internationally, mentioning our partnership with NASA gets immediate attention,? said Suzuki. ?When I look back on my 12 years at Cal Poly Pomona, this is one of the projects I will be most proud of.?
Both Suzuki and Parker were also honored for their respective efforts in helping establish the NASA Commercialization Center at Cal Poly Pomona.
?This is truly like a graduation,? said Parker. ?What this incubator has done for technology development in the Pomona region is tremendous. It?s certainly one of NASA?s most successful incubators. I know NASA is proud to be part of this continuing partnership for years to come.?
The signed memorandum of understanding is the initial stage in continuing the association. It?s hoped that a Space Act Agreement will be agreed upon and finalized by January 2004, maintaining the highly successful alliance.
?We?ve seen during the past five years that Cal Poly Pomona and NASA make great partners. It?s certainly been a partnership that has proven beneficial to both sides,? said Garner. ?It?s the people who provide the glue that bind the two. The commitment has been both personal and professional, helping to forge what I believe will be a lasting friendship.?