Abramo named director of Cameron Univ.'s Center of Emerging

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jul 9, 2004 by Journal Record staff

Peter Abramo will become executive director of Cameron University's Center of Emerging Technologies and Entrepreneurial Studies on Aug. 30.

Abramo, who has lengthy experience in marketing research and consultation services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, earned his Ph.D. from Temple University and also holds degrees from Villanova University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His work in the private sector includes serving as executive director of the business analytics group for LifeCycle Ventures, and as executive director of TVG - two companies owned by PDI Inc. While with PDI, Abramo was closely involved in the development of business strategies, marketing research, proposal development, business analysis, promotions development and global branding.

Abramo served as an adjunct professor at Cameron for the past year. During that time, he developed a comprehensive marketing plan for the university's expanding array of online degree programs.

CETES is a result of recommendations by the Smart Economy Task Force, a group assembled by the city of Lawton to develop a strategy to improve southwest Oklahoma's economy. Cameron raised $2.5 million in private donations to fund construction of the first phase of the facility. Renovations to the university's former Physical Science Building are in full swing, with plans calling for opening next spring.

When completed, CETES will house Cameron's multimedia instructional design department, as well as a multi-cell technology- oriented incubator to sustain new companies. This incubator can grow and nurture as many as a dozen startup companies by providing technological support, assist in identifying angel and venture capital networking and the entrepreneurial development skills necessary for success.

This fall, Lawton voters will have a chance to finance an expansion of CETES, which will include a business networking center, a data disaster recovery system and a backup emergency operations center. The $1.5 million addition will be funded through the city of Lawton's 2005 Capital Improvement Program. Future phases in the development of CETES include the addition of a business conference facility and a center for regional economic development.