Nov. 10, 2021 

Executives Applaud Texas A&M System Plans for Innovation Center

Collaboration between scholars and industry seen as vital for high-tech job creation.

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Executives from several leading Fort Worth industries this week applauded plans by The Texas A&M University System to build a new downtown campus to spur innovation in North Texas.

Aspirations for the Texas A&M System’s Urban Campus in Fort Worth have been in discussions for more than a year among representatives of the A&M System, the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County and Fort Worth Now, a privately-funded group formed to help businesses and economic growth in aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Six important Fort Worth employers — Alcon, AT&T, Bell, Elbit Systems of America, Lockheed Martin, and Philips — have shown interest in collaborating in particular fields of research. Executives from several of the companies released statements about the initiative.

Philips

“Texas A&M and its Center for Global Health and Innovation has been a key partner for us as we develop technologies for monitoring infectious diseases,” said Dr. Joseph Frassica, Head of Philips Research and Chief Medical Officer for North America. “As we continue to innovate with the Department of Defense to support our troops and ensure force readiness, and apply those learnings to public health, the center will continue to be a trusted research partner.”

Lockheed Martin

“Lockheed Martin is excited to welcome Texas A&M to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex,” said Bridget Lauderdale, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. “We look forward to partnering with Texas A&M faculty, staff and students to solve complex problems that impact the national security of the United States and our allies. The new Texas A&M System Research and Innovation Building will enable additional research and local workforce development in critical disciplines. It will further expand our partnership across the A&M System in areas including hypersonics, manufacturing, advanced networks and cyber. Gig ‘em!”

Elbit Systems of America

“Elbit America is excited that the Texas A&M System is establishing an Innovation and Research Center in Fort Worth,” said President & CEO Raanan Horowitz. “Having this center in our community will create greater opportunities for local industry and academia to intersect. I’m looking forward to partnering with Texas A&M, developing tomorrow’s technologies in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced manufacturing to support our defense, medical, and first responder customers.”

AT&T

“Providing AT&T 5G to The Texas A&M University System creates opportunities to fuel 5G innovations that solve real-world problems,” said Jason Porter, President of AT&T Public Sector and FirstNet. “In June, we announced we are bringing a private AT&T 5G network to the RELLIS Campus and we’re excited to expand our collaboration to the Fort Worth campus.”

“Texas A&M has research capabilities that can transform multiple industries, including public safety. We know the possibilities for 5G and public safety are extraordinary and AT&T has a long-standing commitment to serving the public safety community. In fact, our work with FirstNet with includes providing innovative, mission-ready tools for first responders. The Texas Division of Emergency Management Emergency Response and Research Center can create new 5G solutions and applications that will improve public safety outcomes and help when moments matter the most.”

Alcon

“Alcon is proud to be a part of this important initiative to bring The Texas A&M System University Research and Innovation Center to Fort Worth,” said Franck Leveiller, Senior Vice President and head of global research and development. “Science-based innovation is the foundation of how Alcon works to improve people’s lives, and help them see the world brilliantly. Our research and development team looks forward to working with the university to develop meaningful experiences for its students that enhance the academic curriculum.”

Fort Worth Now

When former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price launched Fort Worth Now in May 2020, she asked area business leader John Goff to be a co-chairman of the initiative.

“Today’s announcement will lead to an expansive urban campus, building on the success of the Law School in ways that will not only transform downtown but be a game changer for our city,” said Goff, a private investor and 2020 inductee into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. “It will help attract young talent, educate our work force, bring innovation to the city, and foster collaboration with many of our locally based companies on new technologies. Texas A&M is uniquely positioned to advance those goals, as not only a Tier-1 research institute, but with the multiple critical Texas state agencies that operate under its auspices.”

About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $9.6 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus, the Texas A&M System educates more than 153,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and help drive the state’s economy.

Contact: Laylan Copelin
Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6425
(512) 289-2782 cell 
lcopelin@tamus.edA