The University of Windsor is pleased to announce that Ron Gaudet will serve as special advisor, innovation strategies, for a two-year period beginning November 26. In this role, Gaudet will help create operational strategies for the University’s new Innovation Centre and Industrial Courtyard, which are slated to open in 2013.

UWindsor president Alan Wildeman said, “Clustered within and adjacent to our faculties of engineering and business, the Innovation Centre and Industrial Courtyard will be key for bridging the University’s education and research strengths across faculties with community partners, and for helping faculty, students and staff support innovation in our region.  Ron is ideally suited to help in the development of best practices that will see our innovation cluster meet this objective and be recognized provincially and nationally.”

Gaudet most recently held the position of CEO of the Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation and he also has 10 years of experience as the president of the Greater Moncton Economic Commission. During his career, he oversaw the development and implementation of community-based strategic plans, and has a long history of working closely with academic institutions.

Gaudet will be responsible for managing and promoting UWindsor’s collaborative spaces to organizations and businesses that complement and strengthen the innovation cluster, and helping those businesses coordinate with academic areas.

Gaudet said, “I look forward to assisting the University of Windsor with its vision to create a strong innovation cluster that engages industry, academia, and all levels of government.  I look forward to helping the University shape how that vision can move forward.”