The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a professional association of university-related research and science parks, announced the appointment of Brian Darmody, Associate Vice President of Corporate Engagement at the University of Maryland (UMD), as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Additionally, the association has opened a new office at the UMD Discovery Districtin the Washington, DC area, to be known as ‘AURP HQ2.’Mr. Darmody will immediately assume his new role as CEO at the new location. He will continue his role at UMD and plans to transition out of UMD over time.

As a 37-year UMD administrator, Mr. Darmody is a respected and well-known champion of research parks and innovation districts. He is a frequent speaker on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC covering topics that include research, entrepreneurship, federal opportunity zones (OZ), and a variety of government initiatives regarding technology and innovation.

“I am honored to be selected as AURP’s CEO,” said Mr. Darmody. “This is an exciting time of change for the research park community– universities are developing ‘mini research parks’ on campuses with research facilities that incorporate space for private companies, student startups and recreational and retail amenities. Community colleges, federal labs and corporations are developing mixed-use live, work, play facilities. For example, the new Amazon ‘HQ2’ slated for the greater Washington, DC region is a unique kind of corporate research park with novel academic resources surrounding Amazon’s engineers and scientists. Another exciting development is the new funding for parks located inside Opportunity Zones.”

On behalf of AURP, Mr. Darmody plans to expand outreach to state governments, research universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), community colleges, federal labs, corporations and communities to expand interest and to build research parks and innovation districts. His desire and vision is to promote the growth of international delegations exploring research parks and universities in North America, as well as to help research park tenants who wish to develop a global presence through AURP’s new DC-area office.

Thisnew DC office provides complimentary working space for AURP members and others visiting embassies, Congress, federal agencies or trade associations. The space is location in the first “We Work"developed on a university campus. AURP’s HQ2 is located at UMD’s Discovery District, which was named as AURP’s 2015 Research Park of the Year and is also located inside of an OZ.

“Brian is a recognized industry leader with vast experience in university, industry and government relations,” said AURP President Dan Duncan, Executive Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus. “The AURP Board of Directors is looking forward to working with Brian as we expand AURP’s resources and awareness to further develop our strategic initiatives.”

“Our administration is pleased that the Association of University Research Parks is opening an office in Maryland,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “As home to the most highly-educated workforce in the nation, our state is the perfect place for continued science and technology development, and we look forward to working with the Association to create another community of innovation right here in Maryland.”

The Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz,added, “This is great news for our state and good news for AURP as we will be a great location to further the work of the Association given the number of research universities, federal labs and venture funds in the area.”

Jason Miller, CEO, Greater Washington Partnership, said, "Higher education institutions play a vital role in both developing a region’s workforce and fostering its innovation ecosystem. We are fortunate to live in an area that is home to multiple research parks and communities of innovation like those at Johns Hopkins, Virginia Tech and UVA, which benefits the entire Baltimore-to-Richmond technology corridor. We welcome AURP to College Park and the Capital Region, and we look forward to partnering on important initiatives to grow our region's identity as a national leader in innovation."

The announcement comes ahead of “Spring Training,” one of the association’s signature events being held at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Centerin Tempe, AZ from February 25 – March 1, 2019.

About AURP The Association of University Research Parks is a professional association of university related research and science parks. AURP’s mission is to foster innovation, commercialization and economic growth through university, industry and government partnerships. For more information, visit AURP’s Website at www.aurp.net.