Edward Reinfurt

Executive Director
NYSTAR

Edward Reinfurt serves as Executive Director of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Under Mr. Reinfurt’s leadership, NYSTAR is helping to identify how New York’s existing research assets can be leveraged to create greater opportunities for technology development throughout the State.

On February 10, 2009, Governor David A. Paterson announced Mr. Reinfurt’s appointment to the New York State Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Cabinet. The cabinet was created to manage the development of State and local infrastructure projects financed through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Currently, NYSTAR is involved in the administration of Governor Paterson’s New Innovation Economy Matching Grants Program. Under this program New York is committing up to a 10% match in State funds for each ARRA awardee in strategic areas of innovation.

In May 2009, Mr. Reinfurt was appointed to the Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships which will submit recommendations on accelerating business growth and commercialization of research technologies. In June 2009, Mr. Reinfurt was appointed by Governor David A. Paterson to the New York Small Business Task Force which will focus existing State resources and develop new strategies to promote the growth and development of small business enterprises in New York.

As executive director of NYSTAR, Mr. Reinfurt is a member of the Economic Development Subcabinet of Governor Paterson. He also serves as a member of the New York State Broadband and Deployment Council.

Prior to his appointment at NYSTAR, Mr. Reinfurt served as Vice President of the Business Council of New York State, Inc. The Business Council represented more than 3,000 member businesses, chambers of commerce and professional and trade associations.

Mr. Reinfurt is a graduate of the University at Albany of the State University of New York. He was nominated to serve as executive director by then Governor Spitzer on May 7, 2007 and was confirmed by the New York State Senate on October 22, 2007. Governor Paterson formally requested Mr. Reinfurt to continue to serve as Executive Director on April 22, 2008, a request Mr. Reinfurt gratefully accepted.