Greg Deason has dedicated his career to building a vibrant technology business and startup ecosystem in Greater Lafayette and across Indiana. This Purdue-centric ecosystem seeks to create mutual value for Placemaking Partners by creating dynamic locations where companies and employees live, work, play and learn. The success of the Discovery Park District and the Purdue Research Park is the result of the career-long focus on strategic technology-based economic development by Deason and his outstanding team members.
In Deason’s current role, he leads the Alliances Team that is responsible for keeping the promises made to Placemaking Partners while seeking new growth opportunities. The Alliances Team is intensely focused on the attraction and retention of talent as well as ensuring high levels of community engagement in Greater Lafayette and across Purdue University.
In the past, Deason led the team that created the Purdue Foundry and built a world-renowned entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem at Purdue University resulting in over 350 startup companies and placing Purdue at number three for company creation. Deason also led the Purdue Research Park and the network of parks across the state of Indiana for many years.
Deason has served as the President of the Association of University Research Parks and received their Career Achievement and Outstanding Research Park awards. Deason was named an Outstanding Alumnus of Purdue University and remains active in service to the College of Agriculture and Purdue via the Griffin Society, President’s Council, and John Purdue Club.