Indiana Innovation Institute Expands Team
Mike Dodd and Leslie Wolfe
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Innovation Institute, a nonprofit applied research institute that brings together top leaders from government, military, industry and research universities in collaboration with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, is once again expanding its team.
Mike Dodd (pictured) has been named director of business development. He most recently served as the inaugural managing director for the Institute for Global Security and Defense Innovation at Purdue University. While at iGSDI, Dodd was the lead executive in charge of the formation of a new consortium with government and industry leaders. He authored the Defense Contractor Credentialing Program for small businesses, set aside companies and non-traditional defense contractors. In addition, Dodd was the lead liaison with top 25 defense company engagements. He has also served as a consultant with Purdue University and assisted in the development of the Defense Manufacturers Assistance Program and the Technology Driven Market Intelligence program.
He served as chief executive officer of SDVOSB Co. in New York, a global firm designing and implementing unique solutions for governments, corporations and organizations. After the sale of the company to a New York-based Private Equity Fund, Dodd served as liaison to the fund and its 33 portfolio companies for business development opportunities and government contracting advisory services. He also transitioned to a role on the SDVOSB Co. advisory board, where he still serves. Dodd is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he served as an operations officer with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division and as a rifle platoon commander and executive officer, 1st Marine Division, both at Camp Pendleton, California. He also served as a section leader 4th AAV Battalion, USMC, Little Creek, Virginia. Dodd earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and also holds a secret security clearance.
Also, Jeff Tucker has been appointed senior program manager. He previously served as senior program manager at Viavi Solutions (formerly JDSU) where he oversaw the management of projects including new product development efforts focused on delivering test solutions to the Telecom and Cable TV industries as well as acquisition integrations, information technology introductions and process improvements. Tucker has more than 20 years of experience in program management. He spent significant time with the Department of Defense as a project manager at Naval Avionics Center as well as working as a defense contractor with Raytheon Technical Services Co. managing several efforts in avionics, support equipment and the V-22 program. Tucker started his career as a design engineer for McDonnell Douglas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois. Tucker also earned a Master of Business Administration from the Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Leslie Wolfe (pictured), who served as director of business operations for the Indiana Innovation Institute in a consulting role, has now joined the organization on a full-time basis. She is owner of El Lobo Management Solutions LLC, a management services practice based in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. ELMS serves small businesses with systems and operations research, project portfolio management, workforce development and training and administration and process improvement consulting. Wolfe also serves as an adjunct faculty member in business administration for Penn State New Kensington and Penn State’s World Campus, teaching courses in general Management, Career Management, Project Management and Supply Chain Management. She received Penn State New Kensington’s 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award for part-time faculty.
Prior to starting ELMS, Wolfe served as project portfolio manager for The Pennsylvania State University Electro-Optics Center. She coordinated and oversaw individuals responsible for the planning and financial management of projects, including the coordination of submission of complex proposals to government and industry customers. In addition, she was responsible for the administrative services within the organization, including: administration, information technology and recruiting. Wolfe worked in the automotive components and electronics industries as a production planner, supervisor and program manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and master’s degree in Project Management from Penn State University. Wolfe also received a Penn State Research Administrator certification.