BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS OF SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA APPOINTS JAMES GAMBINO, VP OF TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES
PHILADELPHIA, PA - September 18, 2008 - James Gambino, who has nearly 40 years experience managing and building technology-based businesses, with focus in specialty chemicals and emerging technologies, has been appointed Vice President of Technology Commercialization: Physical Sciences for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP). In this role, Gambino will oversee and manage the emerging energy initiatives at BFTP/SEP.
BFTP/SEP's Technology Commercialization Group (TCG) creates pathways to commercialization for entrepreneurs and researchers. It solves product development and get-to-market challenges by tapping the talents and knowledge of the university, government and private partners that comprise its 20+ member Technology Commercialization Network (TCN). Over the past 5 years, TCG has funded more than 200 companies to solve product development and commercialization challenges by engaging TCN members.
In addition to its company commercialization engagement efforts – the demand pull aspect of its work – TCG partners with universities, government and industry intellectual property generators – the supply side – to enable and support the formation of research and development consortia that become the platforms for the next wave of innovation. Also, BFTP/SEP, though the TCG, is an active partner in the region's six Keystone Innovation Zones.
Gambino has been active on BFTP/SEP's Physical Sciences Technical Advisory Committee. Going forward, he will spearhead BFTP/SEP's role in the commonwealth's Energy Independence Initiative and help drive its technology commercialization strategies.
"Jim has done outstanding work as a volunteer with our Physical Sciences Technical Advisory Committee, and we're thrilled he will now have a greater role as a member of our Senior Management Team," said RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, BFTP/SEP's President & CEO. "His previous experience with BFTP/SEP, combined with his background in technology management, licensing, and new business development with large and small companies, puts him in the perfect position to drive our Physical Science and Energy Strategies."
Since 2005, Gambino has been a principal partner in the emerging technology consultancy PolySolutions Advisors LLC. With one other principal partner and multiple associates, PolySolutions advises start-up and emerging companies working on new and disruptive technologies.
Prior to his work with PolySolutions, Gambino served as Vice President and CTO at Elementis Specialties, Inc., a specialty chemical company, where he was responsible for research and development, new business development, and licensing. While there, he increased year-to-year product launches by 30 percent and delivered over $100 million in new product sales over five years.
He also worked as Vice President of Marketing and Research and Development at RHEOX, Inc., a global specialty rheological additive company. Among his responsibilities there were advertising, new business development, and marketing the company's specialty polymers. By instituting new programs and increasing market share in key markets, Gambino achieved a 25 percent operating margin and upped new product revenue by 35 percent.
Gambino earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York, and completed the Business Management Executive Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.
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About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Celebrating our 25th anniversary, BFTP/SEP is the region's catalyst for Stimulating Entrepreneurial Potential. Ben Franklin invests in innovative enterprises and creates commercialization pathways that generate wealth through science and technology. Part of a statewide network in Pennsylvania, BFTP/SEP provides entrepreneurs and established businesses with the Capital, Knowledge and Networks to compete in the global marketplace. BFTP/SEP has provided more than $130 million to grow more than 1,600 regional enterprises. BFTP/SEP is a founding partner of The Nanotechnology Institute™ (NTI), Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance (MANA®), Emerald Stage2 Venture Fund, the Minority Angel Investor Network, and the Pennsylvania Advanced Textiles Research and Innovation Center (PATRIC). BFTP/SEP is part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Ben Franklin Technology Partnership.
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For additional information, please visit www.sep.benfranklin.org
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BFTP/SEP Contact:
Jaron J. Rhodes
Manager, Marketing and Communications
(215) 972-6700, ext. 3214
jaron@sep.benfranklin.org | 
