New K-State president joins KC startup’s board, bringing expertise on food science, academic collaboration

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.