Robert J. Huemmrich graduated from Penn State University in 1969 in Engineering Science, the honors program for the College of Engineering. He did graduate work at Case Western Reverse University in Biomedical Engineering, and obtained an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986. He is currently taking courses in economic development at the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University.

Mr. Huemmrich worked for 20+ years as a project manager or manager in Healthcare Information Technology. He developed two massive healthcare data collection systems related to utilization/cost containment for federal and state governmental agencies, and he held executive and/or marketing positions with several small Information Technology start-ups. He is a founding investor in the Western PA Adventure Capital Fund, an angel venture capital fund, and has made over a dozen venture capital investments.

In September 2003, Mr. Huemmrich became the Director of the Clarion BIZ/BBDC (Biotechnology Business Development Center) at Clarion University. The project goals are to develop technology-based economic development in biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, and sustainability utilizing KOZ and KIZ tax-incentive programs. The project encompasses land development, community master planning, retail, restaurants, housing, applied research, business formation/incubation, broadband communications, educational programs, and fund raising. A Business Center and Incubator facility to house the Clarion SBDC will be completed in 2007.

Mr. Huemmrich currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2001, he married Colleen, an accomplished psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist. Mr. Huemmrich played Rugby Football at Penn State as an undergraduate and continued playing until recently. He was awarded the Penn State Rugby Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.

NOTE: Two of our Centennial Fellows are spotlighted each week.