MSU exec appointed to Missouri Technology Corp. board

A longtime Missouri State University executive has been appointed to the board of a public-private partnership that promotes entrepreneurship and invests in startups and entrepreneur support organizations.

Gov. Mike Kehoe announced in a Nov. 24 news release that he has appointed Allen Kunkel to the Missouri Technology Corp. board. Kunkel serves as associate vice president for economic development and director of the Roy Blunt Jordan Valley Innovation Center at MSU.

"I am honored to be appointed to serve on the Missouri Technology Corp. board and support its role to invest in entrepreneurship, innovation and emerging high-tech opportunities throughout Missouri," Kunkel said via email this morning. "I look forward to contributing to the MTC mission and goals, and serving with the fellow board members. MTC is a crucial component of the state’s overall economic development strategy, and I look forward to working with all the stakeholders."

The Missouri Technology Corp. has invested in MSU affiliates JVIC and the Efactory. Among the MTC's investments is millions of dollars' worth of funding for JVIC, which Kunkel oversees, to support the state's semiconductor industry. 

Kunkel said he would abstain from any MTC decisions related to MSU. He noted Jim Baker, former MSU vice president for research and economic development and international programs, was a previous MTC board member and followed the same requirements.

The MTC’s website lists 14 board seats.