Ken served as Senior Economic Development Advisor to the President of the University of Akron and Executive Director of the University Park Alliance, where he managed all aspects of a comprehensive university-community partnership including: investor and developer attraction; public realm improvements and programs; branding and marketing; and student/faculty community engagement.

Ken’s efforts attracted over $13 million in grants from corporate sponsors, national and local foundations, and HUD, resulting in substantial new housing, medical and retail/entertainment projects launched in the area after decades of disinvestment.

The program received prestigious awards from the State of Ohio, Dominion, the International Economic Development Council, and Northern Ohio Live Magazine.

Our Representative clients include:

Coalition of Urban Serving Universities

We are facilitating the work of the Strengthening Communities Strand of this national group related to comprehensive revitalization initiatives at major research universities across the United States

Ohio Board of Regents

We completed an analysis of partnership metrics and capacities assessing existing collaborations at all state universities, developing metrics to measure community impact, university culture shifts and partnership resiliency

UniversityCity, Florida

Working with the City of Sweetwater, Florida International University, and others, we helped transform a budding partnership into a major program initiative focused on building a new city center and economic engine in western Miami-Dade County. In only three years, this initiative has already attracted four new private projects and has led to receiving a federal TIGER grant of over $11 million

Mercer University and City of Macon, Georgia

We evaluated the structure and operation of existing partnerships for the College Hill Alliance and provided recommendations for staffing, finances, programming and marketing. Our report was used to attract $6 million in additional funding, hire an executive director, and develop compelling marketing initiatives.

“Ken brings unique perspectives and solutions to the field of anchor institution partnerships based on his pragmatic and strategic style as well as his laser focus on positive impacts and mutual benefits. His consensus-building skills have helped us move forward considerably on national policy and best practices.”

David Perry

Professor of Urban Planning and Policy
The University of Illinois at Chicago