Jerry McGuire joined UB this semester as director of the Office of Technology Transfer and Licensing after a 27-year career in marketing and technology transfer with Westinghouse Electric Corp.

McGuire

What do you do as director of Technology Transfer & Licensing in the UB Business Alliance?
I am responsible for the three main functions of the department. We facilitate the patenting process for inventions of UB faculty and staff, market globally all UB technology with an emphasis on support to firms located within New York and assist local business development through utilization of UB-driven technology and intellectual property.

What is your biggest priority for the UB Business Alliance?
My biggest priority is to create wealth through the utilization of UB technology. The definition of the term "wealth" in this case may be best described in the following points that comprise the prime objectives for technology transfer at the university level: facilitate commercialization of research results and university inventions for the public good; induce closer ties to industry; generate income; create an environment that rewards, retains and recruits creative faculty to UB, and promote economic growth regionally, nationally and globally.

What changes do you see coming up in the Office of Technology Transfer and Licensing?
As part of the UB Business Alliance, we have a mission and commitment to be flexible, responsive and entrepreneurial. Therefore, in concert with the alliance's priorities, Technology Transfer and Licensing will be getting back to the basics of technology transfer as I know them. We will focus on the four basic elements of a technology-transfer office. These are intellectual property, which establishes the value of UB inventions; marketing, which promotes the sale of UB technology; licensing, which places UB technology in the hands of other organizations capable of commercializing it to the benefit of all, and administration, which guides and monitors all of the other elements. This renewed effort has the support of UB's senior administration and is considered a top priority of the university.

At what point in the development of a new technology should faculty, staff and/or students approach your office?
I would say within minutes of formulating the idea, if possible. As strange as that may sound, I believe that Technology Transfer and Licensing can provide services to an inventor at all points in the creativity timeline. For example, with the traditional academic pressure to "publish or perish," premature public disclosure may nullify the patent rights of an inventor. Guidance from Technology Transfer and Licensing may mitigate disclosure concerns for UB inventors.

What advice would you give to a member of the university community who is just beginning to develop a new product or technology?
Don't be afraid to use your creativity, no matter what subject is covered by the idea. It does not have to be a cutting-edge technology or come from a profound discipline to have an impact on the world. Some of the most important inventions spawned from simple ideas produced by addressing a perceived problem.

You're from Pittsburgh, a rust-belt city that has successfully diversified its industrial base. What similarities-or differences-do you see in Buffalo, and how does UB fit into that picture?
Both cities share similar experiences and traits. Both have had to deal with the virtual elimination of a large industrial base; both have a strong community spirit and an excellent work-ethic in their workforce. One of the aspects utilized by the leadership in the economic recovery in Western Pennsylvania was to assist in the generation of wealth through technologies provided by its two great research universities, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. I believe Buffalo has a similar situation with UB and Roswell Park. These resources, and the technology that they produce, will play a pivotal role in Western New York's economic revival.

You used to work for Westinghouse. How long were you there, and what did you do?
My Westinghouse career began in 1971 as an electrical engineer from the University of Pittsburgh. Within a few years, my responsibilities included international licensing and technology transfer. Westinghouse has always been a world leader in technology transfer. For a number of years, royalty income accounted for 25 percent of the corporation's income. Westinghouse had a diversified products line, was doing basic research and placed a large emphasis on international licensing. This afforded me the opportunity to complete licensing agreements in more than 40 countries on six different continents during my 20-plus years in technology transfer for the company.

Your name is also a title of a well-known film. Did you see the movie, and do you have any "show me the money" anecdotes you'd like to share?
Yes, I've seen "Jerry Maguire." I've gotten accustomed to seeing the disappointment on the faces of people who expect Tom Cruise to appear upon first meeting me. I've endured the calls to "show me the money, Jerry," as well. Nevertheless, the notoriety has served to spark conversations with many people around the world. The strangest experience I've encountered on this subject occurred during my last trip to Latin America. The "fuss" had died down in the U.S., but my arrival in South America coincided with the release of the film south of the border. I can't count the number of times during that three-week trip that I was denied hotel or restaurant reservations by wary proprietors believing I was a prank caller when I mentioned the name that the reservation was to be under. I now can fully empathize with all those "regular folks" out there named Forrest Gump!

What's something people don't know about you, and should?
I have a 20-year-old son who is a rabid Buffalo Bills fan. Notwithstanding that he was born, raised and still lives in Pittsburgh.

What's question do you wish I had asked, and how would you have answered it?
What do you like best about Buffalo? My answer would be "the people!" They go out of their way to make you feel "at home." Thanks, Buffalo!