10.19.17 – Jeff Mason

As CEO, Jeff Mason is charged with implementing and executing MEDC’s core mission of business development and attraction, community development, providing access to capital and improving Michigan’s image and brand.

From 2009 to 2017 Jeff was the Executive Director of Michigan’s University Research Corridor which is an alliance between Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University to transform, strengthen, and diversify Michigan’s economy.  The vision of the University Research Corridor (URC) is to play a key role in creating a vibrant Michigan economy that leverages the intellectual capital of its three public research universities, to work proactively to attract the knowledge economy businesses that can find the research activity that feeds new enterprise, educate the workforce, and plants the seeds for the new industries of tomorrow.

Prior to joining the URC as Executive Director he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  In that role Mason led a team responsible for the retention and expansion of existing Michigan businesses as well as the attraction of national and international companies to Michigan.

Before becoming Chief Business Development Officer, Mason headed up the Technology Development Group working to grow Michigan’s technology oriented segments of our state’s economy.  Technology Development was engaged in the areas of technology transfer and commercialization, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and business development.  Their focus was in the sectors of life sciences, homeland security, and advanced automotive technologies.

From 1990-1999, Jeff served in various roles on the Travel Michigan team, serving eventually as Managing Director of Travel Michigan.

Jeff received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Michigan State University.