New K-State president joins KC startup’s board, bringing expertise on food science, academic collaboration
March 23, 2022 | Startland News Staff
The president of Kansas State University has joined the board of directors of TechAccel, an Overland Park startup focused on scientific breakthroughs to produce healthier plants, animals and foods.
Dr. Richard H. Linton, who assumed the leadership of K-State following the Feb. 11 retirement of former Richard Myers, comes with an array of experience expected to benefit TechAccel — founded in 2014 by Michael Helmstetter with support of K-State and an elite investment group of Kansas City-area business leaders.
“We welcome [Linton’s] expertise, leadership, and insights, especially his vast experience in food science, agriculture and technology,” said Greg M. Graves, chair of the TechAccel Board of Directors. “It will be a pleasure to continue expanding our strong and mutually beneficial relationship with K-State.”
Former President Myers also previously served on the board of directors of TechAccel.
Linton came to K-State from North Carolina State University, where he was dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Prior to that position, he was department chair of food science and technology at The Ohio State University (2011-2012) and a faculty member in the department of food science at Purdue University (1994-2011). While at Purdue, he served as founder and director of the Center for Food Safety Engineering and as the associate director of agricultural research program.
“Much of my career has been focused on bringing leadership in agriculture and life sciences together in partnership to solve the global challenges of agriculture and food systems,” said Linton. “I’m honored to be a part of this board, and I look forward to contributing.”
“Dr. Linton has a background of collaboration with industry and government to address global agricultural challenges – a perfect alignment with the TechAccel mission, where we like to say, ‘Collaboration is the engine of success,’” said Helmstetter. “We look forward to working together to advance science, create jobs, and introduce solutions for healthy plants and animals.”
In addition to Dr. Linton’s academic roles, he continues to serve as a member of the Food and Drug Administration’s Science Advisory Board and as chair for the Binational (Israel/U.S.) Ag Research and Development Fund.
Linton joins a board of founding TechAccel investors: Paul DeBruce, CEO of DeBruce Cos.; Jeffrey Dobbs, former Global Chair of KPMG LLP International Industrial; Terry Dunn, former CEO of JE Dunn Construction Group Inc.; Cliff Illig, former vice chairman of Cerner; Roshann Parris, founder and CEO of Parris Communications; and John Sherman, CEO of MLP Holdings, in addition to Chairman Graves, former CEO of Burns & McDonnell; and Helmstetter.
2022 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KCultivator Q&A: John Coler champions making a quick impact, packs of dolphins
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today Startland takes a closer look at startup ecosystem champion John Coler. Check out our features on Made in KC’s Tyler Enders, Hispanic business builder Pedro Zamora, ‘fashionpreneur’ Jordan Williams, Plexpod founder Gerald Smith, innovation coach Diana…
Backed by $4M round, Hilary’s Eat Well expanding organic food line, hiring 10-15 workers
Hilary’s Eat Well is growing its plant-based food line, company leaders said. The move to diversify the company’s offerings — as well as to more efficiently produce larger quantities of its free-from (dairy- and gluten-free) products — comes as the Lawrence-based operation moves its storage to an off-site facility, freeing up manufacturing space, said Lydia…
City challenges startup leaders to swap social media for in-person dialogue on regulation
Editor’s note: Rick Usher is a member of the Kansas City Startup Foundation’s policy committee, and Sarah Shipley is a board member for KCSF, the parent organization of Startland News. This piece was independently produced. There’s a void of shared awareness between city government and the startup community, Rick Usher said. That’s why government officials and leaders…
8-year-old Raytown entrepreneur strings together jewelry business
Raelynn Heath’s bling is inspiring, her mother said. The 8-year-old entrepreneur has spent half her life developing a brand built on crafting original jewelry and repairing broken pieces, she said. “We take a little bit of the old and the new and the practical,” said Regina Lastiee-Heath. Young Raelynn markets her jewelry on Facebook and…