Patricia Hagen, Ph.D., Appointed Executive Director of T-REX
Providing Full-Time Expertise and Strategy to the Region’s Technology Startup Scene
ST. LOUIS (May 7, 2014) – The Technology Entrepreneur Center Inc. (TEC) announced today that Dr. Patricia A. Hagen has been appointed the first full-time Executive Director of T-REX, the innovation center for technology startup companies in downtown St. Louis. Her appointment is effective May 19.
T-REX launched in 2011 through the collaboration of the St. Louis Regional Chamber, The Partnership for Downtown St. Louis and the City of St. Louis. Since then, T-REX has become the focal point for funding and services in the emerging entrepreneurial community in St. Louis. T-REX was even described as “the heart of the budding startup scene in St. Louis” by The Wall Street Journal. The center, which recently purchased, renovated, and relocated to the Lammert Building on Washington Avenue, now occupies five floors and is home to more than 70 startups, as well as ITEN, Capital Innovators, Cultivation Capital, SixThirty, and Arch Grants.
“Dr. Hagen is a proven leader,” said Mark Showers, Chairman of the TEC Board of Directors. “She oversaw SLU’s success in incorporating research and researcher needs in the design and construction of the University’s $82 million biomedical research center, and she forged a partnership between the National Audubon Society and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conserve habitat for 325 bird species. She’s got what it takes to build organizations and inspire people. I’m thrilled to announce she’ll lead the TEC and T-REX into the future.”
The St. Louis region has seen incredible growth in the IT and Technology sector. In fact, according to the ITEN Community Report, “Investments in tech startups [in St. Louis] more than doubled from $30 million in 2012 to over $66 million in 2013” and “St. Louis tech startups have access to better resources than they have had at any time in the past.” T-REX has experienced great success during this time and is looking to build out even more, both strategically and physically. In Dr. Hagen’s new role, she will develop the strategy for the continued growth and success of T-REX.
“Dr. Hagen’s experience in the areas of fundraising, alliance building, and project management will be a great asset as we build T-REX and grow the technology entrepreneurial ecosystem in St. Louis,” said Brian Matthews, General Partner of Cultivation Capital and member of the Friends of T-REX Board of Directors.
Dr. Hagen brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to T-REX. She most recently was a Vice President of the National Audubon Society, State Director for Audubon Missouri, and founding Executive Director of The Audubon Center at Riverlands. There, she led the National Audubon Society’s efforts to establish an Audubon Center and nature tourism operation in the St. Louis region. The Audubon Center at Riverlands opened in West Alton, Mo., in October 2011 and has served more than 100,000 visitors.
Prior to her role with Audubon, Dr. Hagen served in several leadership roles at Saint Louis University, including Associate Provost for Research. In this role, she was the Provost’s representative for the construction of the Edward A. Doisy Research Center, an $82 million biomedical research building.
About T-REX
Since its founding in 2011, T-REX has quickly become a world class focal point providing the startup IT entrepreneur with low cost and flexible enterprise space, while serving the regional high tech community with quality programming and an inspiring community. With the recent acquisition of the Lammert Building at 911 Washington Ave in downtown St. Louis, T-REX attracts innovation to downtown St. Louis, Mo. A co-working space and technology incubator, T-REX offers a blank canvas—a space where ideas are conceived and brought to fruition.
About TEC
The Technology Entrepreneur Center Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation established in 2003 that operates T-REX, an incubator for startup technology companies.
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About Patricia Hagen, Ph.D.
Patricia Hagen, Ph.D., grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, attending St. Cecilia elementary school in South St. Louis, Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves, and the University of Missouri – Columbia. She received her master’s in public administration, and a doctorate in public policy analysis from Saint Louis University.
Dr. Hagen most recently served as a vice president for the National Audubon Society, leading Audubon Missouri, while also serving as the executive director of the Audubon Center at Riverlands. She led Audubon’s efforts to establish the Audubon Center in the St. Louis region. Dr. Hagen was responsible for the development of partnerships with regional organizations and community leaders; advocacy on behalf of great rivers conservation and restoration in the state; environmental education programming; nature tourism planning; and fundraising to sustain the Center’s operations. Audubon’s primary partner in the Audubon Center is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Prior to her role with the National Audubon Society, Dr. Hagen served in a number of roles at Saint Louis University, including associate provost for Research, associate dean of the Office of Graduate Education, and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.