New Jersey Institute of Technology has added a veteran technology executive as its vice president of business incubation and executive director of commercialization, it announced Thursday.
NJIT said Simon Nynens, former chairman, CEO and president of Wayside Technology Group, will join the university on Tuesday. In his new role, he will be tasked with developing and expanding programs that spur innovation commercialization services and entrepreneurship, both nationally and around the world.
“We are extremely fortunate to attract someone of Simon’s business experience, commitment and leadership talent to this very important role at NJIT,” university President Joel S. Bloom said in a prepared statement. “Economic development is a key component of our university mission, and we continue to build multiple partnerships with industry.
“Simon will now provide the vision and leadership for our commercialization efforts, as well as our Enterprise Development Center, which is the oldest and largest tech incubator in New Jersey. He will work closely with the EDC companies, our New Jersey Innovation Institute and our research centers to build the synergies for accelerated entrepreneurship and commercialization.”
The EDC’s executive director, Jerry Creighton Sr., retired earlier this year.
At Wayside, Nynens helped grow revenue from $180 million to $450 million during his dozen years with the information technology provider.
“I’m truly excited to join NJIT as it embarks on the next stage of growth and investment,” he said in a statement. “I am honored and look forward to leading the commercialization efforts of NJIT, including the Enterprise Development Center. NJIT truly has a unique opportunity to accelerate and help companies grow faster and smarter, and I am excited to join a very strong team under the great leadership of Dr. Bloom.
“NJIT has the resources, experience and expertise to truly make an impact. I could not be more pleased to join this prestigious institution.”
Nynens has served as chairman of the New Jersey Technology Council from 2007-2015 and the Young Presidents Organization’s New Jersey chapter. He was an EY Entrepreneur of the Year technology services honoree in New Jersey in 2011.
