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News Release
May 1, 2007
TechHelp Program Based at Boise State University Recognized with
National Honors
The TechHelp team based at Boise State University had a strong showing at the
recent Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National “Growth Through
Innovation” Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Steve Hatten, manufacturing specialist and new product development manager, was
named the 2007 Innovator of the Year and Don Hansen, TechHelp manufacturing
specialist, was a finalist for Practitioner of the Year. The two were chosen
from among 2,000 MEP specialists at 350 MEP Center locations nationwide.
Hatten, based at Boise State, began building TechHelp’s new product development
program in 2000. Today, as other MEP centers are just beginning to ramp up their
NPD operations, TechHelp already has a long history of success helping Idaho
companies ideate, design and deliver new products.
“Steve’s leadership, his record of success and his pleasant demeanor made it an
honor to nominate him for this award,” said Richard Jayo, TechHelp business
development manager.
Hatten earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University
of Idaho and a master’s in manufacturing systems engineering from Stanford.
Prior to joining TechHelp, Steve worked 13 years in the aerospace industry where
he developed skills in mechanical design, design for manufacturability and
manufacturing process improvement.
Twin Falls-based Hansen of the University of Idaho was recognized for the huge
contributions he has made to Idaho and the entire MEP system in only his second
year on the job.
“Don is a consummate contributor, a team player extraordinaire and has done more
for manufacturers in Idaho in the last two years than anyone before him,” Jayo
said.
During a 30-year career in manufacturing, Hansen built an excellent record of
establishing and maintaining successful relationships with manufacturers. A
native of Oregon, Hansen earned a bachelor’s in mathematics from Willamette
University and a master’s in mathematics from Columbia University.
From offices in Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Post Falls, TechHelp
specialists provide technical and professional assistance to Idaho
manufacturers, processors and inventors to strengthen their global
competitiveness through continuous product and process innovation. TechHelp is a
partnership of Idaho’s three state universities and an affiliate of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership. It is
also Idaho’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center,
targeting economically distressed areas of Idaho.
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Contact: Bill Mullane, TechHelp, (208) 426-2266,
williammullane@boisestate.edu
Media Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563,
ssquires@boisestate.edu
Where you see blue, we see a metropolitan research university of distinction,
the largest institution of higher education in Idaho, and a place of science,
business, nature and art. Discover the New U Beyond the Blue.
The Office of Communications and Marketing - Boise State
University
1910 University Drive - Boise Idaho 83725-1030
Located in Capitol Village, 2225 W. University Drive
208-426-1577
(fax)208-426-4001
email
communications@boisestate.edu
Last reviewed on
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
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