The Georgia Research Alliance has announced that its President C. Michael Cassidy will leave his role at the end of 2018. 

Cassidy joined the GRA in 1993 as Vice President and has served as President and CEO of the organization since 2000. GRA is a non-profit organization that expands cutting-edge research capacity in Georgia’s universities to launch new companies and create high-value jobs.  GRA is best known for recruiting top research scientists to Georgia. 

“The 25-year mark is a good time for transition,” said C. Michael Cassidy. “It has been my distinct honor and privilege to be a part of this great organization.  I am very proud of our team, our accomplishments together, and the reputation we have built for our state’s knowledge economy.”     

The GRA board will conduct a search for a new President and CEO. 

“Mike Cassidy is a dedicated and talented leader,” said Larry Gellerstedt, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Research Alliance. “The GRA’s efforts have benefited both the universities and the economic development efforts of the State of Georgia. GRA is a true public-private partnership that has produced remarkable results for almost three decades and the future is very bright. Our Board is truly grateful for all Mike has done for GRA.” 

Under Cassidy's leadership, the GRA is today recognized as one of the nation’s leading technology-based economic development organizations by groups such as the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, the State Science & Technology Institute, Research!America, and the National Governors Association to name a few.

“The impact that GRA has had over time has been impressive.  They understand the role of research and understand how to move scientific discoveries into the marketplace to have a positive impact on the economy and quality of life for the citizens of Georgia and beyond.  They are great advocates in every sense of the word,” said Mary Woolley, President of Research!America, the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance committed to making research to improve health a higher national priority.   

Cassidy is a co-founder of the GRA Venture Fund LLC, a public-private venture capital fund investing in research-driven, Georgia-based startup companies.  He serves on the Board of Directors of the State Science and Technology Institute, the Health Care Ethics Consortium, Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures, the Global Center for Medical Innovation, the Bio/Med Investor Network, Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc., and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.  Cassidy advises several states on developing strategies similar to the GRA.

Georgia Trend has named Cassidy to its list of “Georgia’s Most Influential Leaders” for more than a decade.  Prior to joining the GRA in 1993, Cassidy managed the Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech and worked for the IBM Corporation.  He holds degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University.