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K-State Today

Division of Communications and Marketing
Kansas State University
128 Dole Hall
1525 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-2535
vpcm@k-state.edu

March 29, 2024

K-State Innovation Partners announces Chris Brandt as interim president, CEO

Submitted by Erin Pennington

K-State Innovation Partners, Kansas State University’s unit overseeing technology commercialization, announces the appointment of Chris Brandt as interim president and CEO, effective April 1. This follows an internal search to fill the position vacated by Rebecca Robinson, who recently accepted a new opportunity at Oregon State University after 15 years of dedicated service to K-State.

“Chris brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of K-State's innovation ecosystem to this role,” said Robinson.

For the past eight years, Brandt has been an integral member of the Innovation Partners team, working closely with administrators, faculty and staff across all K-State campuses. In his previous role as chief technology innovation officer, Brandt played a key role in developing and implementing cross-campus strategies to advance the university's interests in innovation generation, technology transfer and commercialization.

Prior to joining K-State, Brandt spent more than a decade in the food industry, managing the intellectual property portfolio of a large multinational corporation with annual sales exceeding $12 billion.

"Chris' passion for K-State's research and innovation is undeniable," said David Rosowsky, vice president for research and chair of the Innovation Partners board of directors. "I look forward to his capable leadership as we work together to streamline and enhance pathways for commercializing K-State's intellectual property."

Brandt holds a law degree from Vanderbilt University and a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Kansas.