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CBE Special Seminar: Dr. Jim Bray
April 18 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jim Bray, Sc. D.
Principal, Convergent Consulting LLC
Adjunct Professor, NC State University, Forest Biomaterials
Abstract
Skiing Ahead of an Avalanche – Life in a Material Science Startup
The mystique of working in a startup company post-graduation with the chance to bring transformative technology to the market to satisfy customer demands tempts many students. While the environment can be truly exhilarating allowing you to have a direct daily impact on company progress, the reality of startup life involves uncertainty, rapid pace, significant personal responsibility with minimal direction and the risk of unemployment. This can be particularly challenging when the startup is in the material science space requiring production of qualification samples and construction of pilot plant and manufacturing infrastructure, i.e., lots of money. The key to an enriching startup experience is ensuring your personality and competencies are matched to the cultural environment of this type of company. Dr. Bray will provide some insights to a successful match based on his 10 years with Tethis, a technology spinoff based on technology licensed from NC State’s Department of Forest Biomaterials.
Biography
A Chemical Engineer by education, Dr. Bray received his BS from NC State and ScD from MIT with research work in biomedical materials. This was followed by 50 years in development, manufacture and commercialization of polymeric materials serving multiple industries. His company experience includes product development, operations, general management, and CEO roles. While his initial jobs were in Fortune 100 to 500 size companies, the last 18 years have been in various roles in the frenetic environment of startup and early-stage companies. The most enjoyable part of this time has been in mentoring and developing young technical and managerial talent, with a side benefit of being able to participate in the NCSU CBE mentoring program.