ERIE (Oct. 8, 2019) — Brad Gleason has been named the inaugural director of entrepreneurial operations at Gannon University’s Center for Business Ingenuity and will launch The Hatchery in the new the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge, or I-HACK.
In this newly created position, Gleason will facilitate and coordinate Gannon’s business development initiatives as they continue the implementation of their next key asset in leading economic growth in downtown Erie. The new position will lead operations and guide companies to resources in the Beehive Network, to mentoring and incubation opportunities in ETI, and to expanding academic-industry collaborations for new business and product development in The Hatchery.
“He’s a great fit with what we are doing at Gannon and someone who can help bring Erie’s business ecosystem to the next level,” said Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs at Gannon University.
“Brad brings with him exceptional connections, experience and understanding of the needs of the community and of the goals and strategies included in our new venture – and he can execute on the plans being laid out. His addition to the team makes us ever more confident in the fulfillment of a brighter future for Gannon and Erie.”
Gleason, who begins work at Gannon in November, most recently was the director of operations at Mercyhurst University’s Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences. His experience and success there will serve him well in this expanded role as new grants and industry partnerships are rapidly coming on line.
Gleason is a Gannon alumnus who received his bachelor’s degree in business management here. He later completed his master’s in organizational leadership from Mercyhurst.
He is committed to Gannon’s focus on community-outreach and socially-responsible global citizenship, having served on a variety of local nonprofit boards including, Habitat for Humanity-Erie Chapter, Erie Dwelling Advocacy for Women in Need, Erie County Public Safety Citizen Corp, Twilight Wish Foundation- Erie Chapter.
