Research and Development Authority (Innovation Park)

Responsibility:
Created for the purpose of planning and financing capital projects in the form of research and development parks to encourage local economic development. 

Created By:
Ch. 159.701, F.S.
CH. 2, Art III Div. 2, Sec. 2-56, Code of Laws (pg. CD2:3)

Amendments to the structure of the committee were made
during the 2000 legislative session by HB0479 and SB1118.
Effective July 1, 2000. See "Positions" 

Appointments:
9 members
4 - appointed by BCC, preferrably representatives of the private business sector
1 - Chairman of the BCC, or designee
1 - Mayor of Tallahassee, or designee
3- Presidents of FAMU, FSU, and TCC or their designees 

Terms:
4 years terms. Terms coincide with Oct.1/Sept. 30 fiscal year . Number of terms allowed: no limit. Vacancies filled for remainder of unexpired term.
 

Eligibility Criteria:
Residents and electors of, or have their principal place of employment, in the County.  

Schedule:
Third Tuesday of each month, 8:30 am, meets in Administration Building at Innovation Park. 

Contact Person/Staff:
STAFF:

Linda Nicholsen, Executive Director
Innovation Park
1736 West Paul Dirac Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32310
575-0343
Fax: 575-0355
email: lnicholsen@inn-park.com

Office Manager:
Shanna Lewis
email: slewis@inn-park.com

Shanna Lewis
Office Manager
575-0031

Counsel
Mr. J. Elliot Messer
Messer, Caparello Law Firm
P.O. Box 1876
Tallahassee, Florida 32302
Ph 222-0720, wk 893-1769, hm 224-4359, FAX
Email: emesser@lawfla.com 

Members:

Leysieffer, Fred Florida State University	Begin Term: 10/1/2004 End Term: 9/30/2008 Type: four years	Original Date: 10/1/2004 Appointed by: Florida State University	Notes: FSU Rep.
Desloge, Bryan Board of County Commissioners	Begin Term: 1/1/2008 End Term: 1/1/2010 Type: one year	Original Date: 1/1/2009 Appointed by: Board of County Commissioners	Notes: BCC Chairman/designee Email: Deslogeb@leoncountyfl.gov
Hebrock, Bill Hebrock Steiner, Inc.	Begin Term: 2/13/2007 End Term: 9/30/2010 Type: four years	Original Date: 2/13/2007 Appointed by: Board of County Commissioners	Notes: billhebrock@hebrocksteiner.com
Barron, Thomas A. Capital City Bank	Begin Term: 8/22/2006 End Term: 9/30/2010 Type: four years	Original Date: 10/1/2002 Appointed by: Board of County Commissioners	Notes:
Blanchard, Carrie Mayor's Office	Begin Term: 6/1/2008 End Term: 9/30/2012 Type: four years	Original Date: 6/1/2008 Appointed by: Tallahassee City Commission	Notes:
Friederich, Joel Elbit Systems	Begin Term: 7/8/2008 End Term: 9/30/2012 Type: four years	Original Date: 7/8/2008 Appointed by: Board of County Commissioners	Notes: Email: joel.friederich@elbitsystems-us.com Cell Phone: 850-509-6094
Eaton, Ray Systems Design of Tallahassee	Begin Term: 12/9/2008 End Term: 9/30/2012 Type: four years	Original Date: 11/14/2000 Appointed by: Board of County Commissioners	Notes: E-mail: eatonr@sysdestlh.com
Robinson, Larry Vice-President for Research	Begin Term: 9/30/2009 End Term: 9/30/2013 Type: four years	Original Date: 9/30/2009 Appointed by: Florida A & M	Notes: FAMU Representative
Chapin, John Vice-President, Workforce Development	Begin Term: 10/1/2009 End Term: 9/30/2013 Type: four years	Original Date: 10/1/2009 Appointed by: Tallahassee Community College	Notes: TCC Representative