Press Release: Dr. Harris: Since 2006, Science Foundation Arizona Has Advanced Technology Submitted by: Dr. Honora Norton, Scottsdale Rotary Club The Rotary Club of Scottsdale welcomed Dr. William C. Harris, President and CEO of Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz), as its keynote speaker at a luncheon meeting held at McCormick Ranch Golf Club. While introducing Dr. Harris, Rotarian Jim Bruner noted prior to joining SFAz, Dr. Harris was in Ireland serving as director general of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), a new Irish agency that helped facilitate tremendous growth in Ireland’s R&D. Immediately prior to going to Ireland, Dr. Harris was vice president of research and professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of South Carolina (USC). There, Dr. Harris oversaw research activities throughout the USC system, several interdisciplinary centers and institutes, the USC Research Foundation and sponsored research programs. Dr. Harris served at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) from 1978 to 1996, including as the director for mathematical and physical sciences (1991-1996); where he was responsible for federal grants appropriation of $750 million. He also established 25 Science and Technology Centers to support investigative, interdisciplinary research by multi-university consortia. Earlier in his career, he catalyzed the Research Experience for Undergraduates program in the chemistry division and it became an NSF-wide activity. In 2005, Dr. Harris was elected a member of the Irish Royal Academy, and received the Wiley Lifetime Achievement Award from California Polytechnic State University. He has authored more than 50 research papers and review articles in spectroscopy and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Harris earned his undergraduate degree at the College of William and Mary, and received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of South Carolina. Per Dr. Harris, in 2006, Arizona's political, education, business and philanthropic leadership made the decision to launch SFAz. The mission of SFAz (office located in Scottsdale) is to diversify the state's economy by developing programs and partnerships that stimulate joint industry and university research and development, as well as, benefit state-based industries. SFAz, a nonprofit public-private partnership was awarded its first grant in 2007. SFAz returns on its first seven years of research investment can be measured in quantifiable terms of revenue, high-salary jobs, companies, technologies, and talent generated and attracted. Dr. Harris often referred to Jonathan Gruber and Simon Johnson's book "Jump-Starting America" which reflects upon a visionary plan that will lead to job growth and a new American economy in places now left behind. Beginning in 1940, massive public investment generated breakthroughs in science and technology that first helped win WWII and then created the most successful economy the world has ever seen. Private enterprise then built on these breakthroughs to create new industries--such as radar, jet engines, digital computers, mobile telecommunications, life-saving medicines, and the internet-- that became the catalyst for broader economic growth that generated millions of good jobs.