Arrington Named Vice Chancellor for Research and Commercialization
Arrington has had extensive experience at the federal level, spending nearly a decade with the Bush Administration before joining the Texas Tech University System.
Arrington will take charge of the Office of Research and Commercialization and expand
the responsibilities of the office.
August 15, 2011 | Written by Allison Howard
Jodey C. Arrington has been named vice chancellor for Research and Commercialization of the Texas Tech University System, effective September 1, 2011.
Arrington, who previously served as vice chancellor and chief of staff in the Office of the Chancellor at the TTU System, will now be responsible for oversight and coordination of research, as well as federal relations and technology commercialization at each component institution of the TTU System.
“My top priorities for the Texas Tech University System have been increasing enrollment and growing our research,” said Kent Hance, chancellor of the TTU System. “Jodey’s strong leadership, experience within the Texas Tech University System, and contacts throughout the state and country will be invaluable to our success in these critical areas.”
In addition to bringing the universities’ technology and innovations to the marketplace, the office’s expanded duties will include helping secure public and private research funding through federal and corporate relations. Each component institution’s vice president for research will continue to report directly to their respective presidents.
“Research and technology commercialization play an important role, not only in enhancing the national reputation of our universities, but in advancing discovery, creating economic opportunity and improving our quality of life,” said Arrington. “I am excited to be a part of such a significant endeavor.”
As chief of staff, Arrington spearheaded the TTU System strategic plan and its enrollment task force. Prior to joining the TTU System, Arrington compiled an extensive background in executive leadership at both the state and federal levels. He served in the Governor’s Office from 1996-2000 before moving to the White House in 2001 as special assistant to the president and associate director of presidential personnel. He would later serve as chief of staff for the FDIC and deputy federal coordinator for the Office of Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding.
Arrington earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1994 and master’s degree in public administration in 1997 from Texas Tech University. In 2004, he earned a certificate of international business management from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. He and his wife, Anne, have one son, Nathan.
Arrington replaces David L. Miller, who is leaving the post to become chief operating officer of Flat Wireless, a Lubbock-based company operating under the Clear Talk brand. Russell Thomasson will succeed Arrington as chief of staff. Thomasson, a 1998 Texas Tech graduate and 2001 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, has served as special assistant and counsel to the chancellor since 2007 and chairman of the board of the National Institute for Renewable Energy since 2010.