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Don is a nationally recognized expert in regional economic development, with a wide variety of work experience at the local, regional, state and national levels. With a unique blend of academic and practitioner experience, Don’s work has focused on how regions can leverage and complement their innovation institutions.
Don played key roles in the formation of Innovation Works, The Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse, the Life Sciences Greenhouse, and the merger of the Robotics Foundry with the Digital Greenhouse to form the Tech Collaborative. In addition he held the nationally unique role of Vice President of Economic Development for both Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh and also served on the faculty of the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management.
In 2009 Don became the Regional Industrial Development Corporation’s 5th President and has led the reformation of RIDC to establish it as the go to developer of real estate projects that support the public interest in Southwest Pennsylvania – including major projects like the former Sony plant in Westmoreland County, Almono (now Hazelwood Green) and the Lawrenceville Technology Center.
In Pittsburgh, Don is active with a number of boards and community activities, including serving on: the Steering Committee for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the Board of the SWPA New Economy Coalition (BBB Recipient), the Board of the Fox Chapel Golf Club and the Fox Chapel Borough Planning Commission. Don is also a past President of NAIOP Pittsburgh and was named to the PA Power 100 each of the past two years.