News & Media

WiSys hires Ray French to serve Northwestern Wisconsin campuses

MADISON—Ray French will serve UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Superior as WiSys’ new regional associate.

Most recently, French worked with the City of Eau Claire’s economic development office supporting business owners and entrepreneurs. He also serves as the Board President for the Chippewa Valley Innovation Center, where he is working with the Board to provide incubation services and study the market for services in the region.

Prior to his work in Eau Claire, French worked for the City of River Falls and assisted the city and UW-River Falls to establish the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center.

French received a bachelor of science in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He later received his Juris Doctor at Hamline University School of Law in Saint Paul, Minn., where he also obtained a master of public administration.

“We are excited to have Ray join the team,” said WiSys President Arjun Sanga. “He brings a new skill set to WiSys with his background in economic development through his service in local government. His strong ties to the region will allow him to hit the ground running as he provides support and guidance to innovators at Northwestern Wisconsin campuses.”

The WiSys Regional Associate program was created to establish and maintain strong relationships with campus innovators across the UW System. The regional associates support research and technology development by linking campus innovators to grant and intellectual property services.

French will be on each of the campuses regularly to meet one-on-one with innovators—both new and existing—as well as give presentations to departments, colleges and student groups. You can contact him at [email protected] or 608-316-4036.

French assumes the role that Kristen Ruka had been serving until she departed the organization earlier this year.

WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the UW System to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries, and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.