Fred Meade

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Fred Meade distinguished his career in corporate and economic development through a series of engagements on the leading edge of the profession.

Before formal degree programs in the field of economic development emerged in the United States, he sought educational curricula in Europe to satisfy his interest, and completed graduate studies through a consortium of urban development policy programs in Europe.

After returning to the US in 1976, Fred was invited to initiate the first community and economic development program for the Sarasota, Florida Chamber of Commerce. Within two years he was recruited to refinance and restructure one of the oldest and largest economic development agencies in the country, the Tampa (Florida) Committee of 100. During the 1980’s the group became one of the “top ten development agencies in the US” (Forbes, Fortune), and in 1986, Fred was named one of the “Top Ten Young Development Executives” by the International Development Research Council (IDRC), the recognized global professional association of corporate real estate development professionals.

With the passage of the Bayh-Dole Act, legislation that enabled universities to directly participate in profits of joint venture technology transfer programs with industry, he immersed himself in the emerging field of science and technology park development. During this period he served on a team that spearheaded the creation of the University of South Florida Research Science Park with the City of Tampa and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

In 1990, seeking a more direct association with the growing industry, Fred was chosen from a national search of candidates to become Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, a private, university - industry technology park operated by the Virginia Tech Foundation in Blacksburg, Virginia. With the early stage success of the park, which included several national awards, Fred was recruited to assume similar responsibilities for the new Penn State Research Park in 1993. The park’s first five-year phase, financed by the university, was completed and fully leased one year ahead of schedule. Fred concluded his final year with the research park securing market financing and engaging a private development partnership for phase II.

It was at this time, Mr. Meade began consulting, which has led him to a number of successful corporate, municipal and economic development initiatives in the United States, Canada and most recently Eastern Europe.

Throughout his career he has directed a wide range of corporate development and expansion projects, including those with Citigroup, General Dynamics, Honeywell, Monsanto, Hewlett Packard, Upjohn, DuPont, Time, Inc., and many others.

Fred most recently completed his second term on the board of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the professional association of practitioners in the combined fields of community and economic development He has served as a board member of the American Economic Development Council (AEDC). Fred was also an officer and board member of the Association of University Related Research Parks (AURRP), the North America sister organization of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP), as well as a number of other professional affiliations in the field.