The Utah Science, Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) has announced that Jack W. Sunderlage has stepped down from its Governing Authority board after a two-year term. Taking his place is Richard Linder.

“I want to express my appreciation to Jack Sunderlage for his committed service with the Governing Authority during the past two years,” said Ted McAleer, USTAR Executive Director. “Jack’s leadership and perspective have been very beneficial during the formative stages of the USTAR program and I sincerely thank him for the contributions he has made to our organization and the program.”

Sunderlage serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of ContentWatch Inc., a provider of Internet Management software and services. He has enjoyed a long and successful career in the Information Technology industry, holding key sales and marketing executive positions with Burroughs, UNISYS, Digital Equipment, Compaq Computer, and Hewlett-Packard. Before joining ContentWatch in March 2005, Sunderlage did consulting with the Utah Partnership for Education.

Taking a place on Governing Authority board is Richard Linder, President and CEO of Coherex Medical Inc., which specializes in advanced therapeutic devices for interventional cardiology.

Linder’s business experience includes management positions at Merit Medical, and co-founding Rubicon Medical, Inc. in 1996. Linder developed the fundamental and key design concepts for the Rubicon Filter, a product for the embolic protection market. Under Linder’s leadership, Rubicon and Boston Scientific entered into an option and equity transaction in 2003. Boston Scientific acquired Rubicon in 2005, which was the largest filter vascular protection transaction in history. Upon leaving Boston Scientific in 2006, Linder became President and CEO of Coherex Medical Inc., which is based in Salt Lake City.

“Biotechnology comprises a key growth area in Utah’s economy,” McAleer said. “A significant number of USTAR research teams are working on the commercialization of biomedical innovations. Having someone as experienced and entrepreneurial as Richard Linder on the Governing Authority will help our efforts in creating new jobs in this arena.”

The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah's "knowledge economy” and generate high-paying jobs. Funded in March 2006 by the State Legislature, USTAR is based on three program areas. The first area involves funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers. The second area is to build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for the innovation teams. The third program area involves teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across the State to promote science, innovation, and commercialization activities. For more information, go to www.innovationutah.com.