For Release:        Immediate — March 25, 2015

Contact:               Jerry Gretzinger, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Relations

(518) 956-7359 |  jgretzinger@sunycnse.com

Conference Will Connect New and Emerging Innovators in the Northeastern US and Canada with Industry Leaders and Strategic Investors to Discuss Future Growth Opportunities in NYS

Albany, NY – In accordance with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s commitment to furthering New York State’s global leadership in nanoelectronics innovation and commercialization, SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (SUNY Poly CNSE) today announced it will host the first ever Northeast Semi Supply Conference (NESCO) on  Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at its NanoTech Megaplex in Albany, New York.  This free event is presented in partnership with The Research Foundation for the State University of New York, Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s chief economic development agency, and SEMI, the international association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the micro- and nano-electronics industries.

“Through strategic investments in our premier R&D facilities across the state, such as SUNY Poly CNSE, New York is at the forefront of the semiconductor industry. NESCO seeks to build on these strengths by bringing industry leaders and innovators together for the first time in New York State to strategize on how to best support our supply chain companies.  ESD looks forward to sharing New York’s technology driven economic development strategy and the targeted ways we’re supporting the growth of our businesses and attracting new companies to New York State,” said ESD Acting President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky.

“NESCO supports Governor Cuomo’s high tech vision for New York State by enabling innovation critical to meeting the technology demands of the future.  This first of its kind conference will provide a stage for established semiconductor supply chain companies, new and emerging innovators, industry leaders, strategic investors, and venture capitalists to discuss what is needed to foster continued growth in the industry,” said Dr. Michael Liehr, SUNY Poly Executive Vice President of Innovation and Technology and Vice President of Research. “Participants will gain insight into technology, capital, partnership, and collaboration strategies necessary for mutual success.”

“SEMI is proud to be a key partner of the NESCO event and encourages all semiconductor companies, executives, entrepreneurs and innovators to attend and join in the discussion on the future challenges and opportunities in the industry,” said Karen Savala, President of SEMI Americas.

During NESCO’s morning “Emerging Company Forum,” new and emerging semiconductor companies will have the opportunity to network with technology partners and investors. Attendees will also have the chance to learn about leading-edge research and technology commercialization initiatives across Upstate New York.  The afternoon “Supply Chain Forum” will provide attendees the opportunity to meet with supply chain managers at major customers such as GE, GLOBALFOUNDRIES and SUNY Poly CNSE and learn more about the supply chain demands of various CNSE initiatives in advanced packaging and power electronics along the “Nano Corridor.” This session will also provide a forum to exchange ideas on how to strengthen semi supply chain companies in the Northeast region.

NESCO panelists include Thomas Caulfield, Senior Vice President and General Manager of GlobalFoundries Fab 8; Danielle Merfeld, Global Technology Director for GE Electrical Technologies & Systems; John Freer, Manager, External Technology Initiatives at GE Global; Ed Greer, Manager, Corporate Venturing at DOW Chemical; Tony Chao, Investment Director and General Manager of Applied Ventures; Brian Keil, New York State Innovation Venture Capital (NYSIVC) Fund Manager; Peter Maier, President of INFICON; Scott Balaguer, President of Edwards Vacuum US & Europe; and William Shaner, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Entegris, Inc.

The conference will conclude with a reception that will offer attendees the opportunity to network and interact with speakers and exhibitors.  For more information or to register for NESCO, visit sunypoly.edu/NESCO.

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SUNY Polytechnic Institute. SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem, formed from the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY Institute of Technology. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany campus, and degrees in technology, professional studies, and the arts and sciences at its Utica/Rome campus. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts more than $20 billion in high-tech investments, over 300 corporate partners, and maintains a statewide footprint. The 1.3 million-square-foot Albany NanoTech megaplex is home to more than 3,500 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, faculty, and staff, in addition to Tech Valley High School. The Utica/Rome campus offers a unique high-tech learning environment, providing academic programs in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, with degrees and course offerings in natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences. Thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. SUNY Poly operates the Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI) at Kiernan Plaza in Albany, the Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon, CNSE’s Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries in Syracuse, the Photovoltaic Manufacturing and Technology Development Facility in Rochester, and the Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center (STC) in Canandaigua. SUNY Poly founded and manages the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C) on its Utica campus and also manages the $500 million New York Power Electronics Manufacturing Consortium, with nodes in Albany and Rochester, as well as the Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub at RiverBend, Buffalo Information Technologies Innovation and Commercialization Hub, and Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub. For information visit www.sunycnse.com and www.sunypoly.edu.