Since 1998, I have been retained on more than 200 technology valuation, dealmaking, and/or opportunity discovery assignments. These consulting assignments were done originally through my affiliation with IPC Group, which then became part of InteCap LLC, and later, for 14 years, as VP and Senior Advisor of Charles River Associates, Inc. (www.crai.com). Since July 2018, my affiliation with CRAI is as a consultant.
The work I do can be organized by the acronym Technology Licensing D-V-D, where the first “D” designates opportunity Discovery, the D-V-D for Valuation, and the second “D” for Dealmaking. In some assignments identifying the specific licensing opportunity is an essential first step. Overall licensing / business strategy is part of Discovery. Dealmaking, resulting from a specific packaging of the technology opportunity, transformation of a valuation model into a pricing proposal, and team / fact-based negotiation, is normally the ultimate outcome sought. The key intermediate step is the development of a valuation model.
Prior to 1998, I worked in the R&D industry for more than 17 years for Battelle and Bellcore (now Telcordia Technologies, part of Ericsson), the last 10 years of that period as VP for Technology Commercialization. Prior to that I was a university professor in engineering for more than 10 years at the University of Portland and the Ohio State University. Prior to that, my first job out of undergrad was as a rocket scientist and member of the Saturn-Apollo launch team assigned the mission by President Kennedy to send men to the moon and return them safely to earth. That assignment included loading the propellants that sent the first men to the moon in Apollo 8, Borman / Lovell / Anders, Christmas Eve, 1968. I was part of the launch team from the first Apollo mission through the Lunar Landing of Apollo 11 in August 1969.
I have been a long time member of the Licensing Executives Society (LES), served on its Board for a decade, was Treasurer for 3 years, and on the Board of the Licensing Foundation for 6 years, 3 as President. I was also on the Board of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, including the Centennial Inductions in 2003 honoring the onset of powered flight when John Glenn was inducted, as the first Astronaut to orbit the earth. I have been a registered Professional Engineer in Oregon, Texas, and Ohio, and a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP). I am have been recognized since 2010, by IAM as one of (originally 250) now 300 “World’s Leading IP Strategists.” I have been recognized by LES by receipt of an annual award for mentoring licensing professions (The Frank Barnes Award).