The USRIA team includes experts in applied research, product development, IP licensing, corporate partnerships, startup creation, and venture capital

  • Matt Harbaugh

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Katie Pettinger

    PROGRAM MANAGER

  • Lee Ann Carnahan

    PROGRAM MANAGER

  • Jamie Bissot

    PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Advisors

  • Heath Morrison

    Heath Morrison

    Advisor

    Heath is a venture capitalist in the ESG/Impact/Energy sector and a former VC at BP Ventures, with a broad network with investors such as the corporate venture capital arms of large energy companies, climate-tech incubators and startup studios.

  • Kevin E. Howard, PhD

    Advisor

    Kevin served for 30 years as a Senior Scientist with Dow Chemical, commercializing inventions in markets ranging from microelectronics to solid-state lighting, and other materials science applications.

  • Kira Gardner

    Kira Gardner

    Advisor

    Kira is Director of R&D at Our Next Energy and is a clean energy advocate, battery scientist, design thinking expert, and early stage venture coach.

  • Terri Marts

    Terri Marts

    Advisor

    Terri Marts is an industry veteran who has managed energy, defense and infrastructure projects valued at over $1.2B per year, much of which involved national lab energy R&D.

  • Andrew Bissot

    Andrew Bissot

    Advisor

    Andrew is the Vice President of Engineering, Reliability, and Manufacturing Excellence at Metallus/TimkenSteel, Mr. Bissot provides connections and advice to cohort companies in the metals, energy & manufacturing space.

  • Chris Millard

    Advisor

    Chris Millard is a startup operations and SBIR expert who has held COO roles in multiple startups. He advises cohort members on operational issues and on the acquisition and management of SBIR / STTR grants and contracts.

  • Budd Shaffer

    Advisor

    Budd Shaffer has over 20 years of experience supporting the energy sector with roles ranging from engineer, to entrepreneur, to management consultant. He currently serves as Director of Strategy at KeyLogic where he helps clients navigate the complex challenges of deploying advanced energy technologies within an evolving energy landscape.

  • Vicki Barbur

    Advisor

    Vicki A. Barbur, Senior Advisor at Key Logic, Morgantown, WV, leverages her science and business expertise to support various company programs. With a background in multiple technical disciplines, she focuses on Technology Maturation and due diligence for Lab to Market initiatives. Barbur has held leadership roles at Concurrent Technologies Corporation, Cardinal Health, MITRE, and Battelle. She holds a Ph.D. and BSc in Physics from Imperial College, University of London, and an MSc in Applied Statistics from the University of Oxford.

Be a part of the solution

We’re always looking to expand our network of industry experts to help mentor our cohort teams.