BRIAN CATTS

Brian Catts is Director of Industry Relations in the University of Arizona’s Office of Economic Development, Tucson where he has worked for 11 years. Brian manages a programme that develops University-Industry relationships and provides research and other technical support to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of Arizona's high-tech industries and the cluster organisations that represent them. Starting in 1990, his programme has conducted a series of major research projects, known as Targeted Industry Studies, in support of the microelectronics, optics, biotechnology, environmental technology and bio-industry sectors.

Brian leads the team that prepares the annual monitoring / benchmarking report on the activities of the Greater Tucson Economic Council (GTEC). This report is the equivalent of the bi-annual Dimensions reports prepared for the Wellington Business Clusters. The study uses data from the clusters and published data on new employee incomes, extra exports, gross turnover and contribution to GDP.

Brian has been a key participant from the earliest days of GSPED (the Governor's Strategic Partnership for Economic Development) and is an advisor to several of the GSPED industry cluster boards. He has been active in support of other economic development-related issues including export promotion, workforce development, defence diversification, rural development and experiential tourism. Brian’s experience also includes USAID-funded international development work in Ukraine.

Most recently, Brian has formed an ongoing cluster analysis unit that will be dedicated to monitoring the activities and progress of the cluster industries of Arizona, public policy development on the behalf of these technology-based enterprises, and reviews of best practices throughout the world.

As a private consultant, Brian provides regional analysis services related to business site selection, market development, and regional cluster strategies. Brian is retained as an associate to I&S to build our capability in developing economic development strategies and provide mentoring support to I&S staff.