August 2009

Transportation Center Welcomes New Associate Director

The Transportation Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Bret Johnson as Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives effective July 1st 2009. As Associate Director, Bret will assist the Center Director, Hani Mahmassani, in formulating and managing Center initiatives, strategic partnerships, and research projects aimed at providing a dynamic environment for transportation innovation at the Center.

Mahmassani says of the new appointment, "Bret is uniquely qualified to assist the Center in achieving its long-range goals, having twenty years of experience in the area of technology transfer and research project management.  Bret will be responsible for strengthening connections, interactions and partnerships among other Northwestern research centers as well as with outside groups.”

Prior to joining the Transportation Center, Bret reported to the NU Vice President of Research, serving as Director of two government-funded research centers, CCITT (the Center for Commercialization of Innovative Transportation Technology) and HSIEC (the Homeland Security Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center). Bret will continue as Director of both centers with CCITT, a DOT Tier-2 Center of Excellence moving to the Transportation Center.

“As Director of CCITT and HSIEC, Bret has developed numerous collaborative relationships with various local, regional and national governmental agencies and industry associations, which will benefit the Transportation Center as it continues to expand its industry, government and academic relationships," noted Mahmassani.

Johnson joined Northwestern in 2000 serving as assistant director for the Illinois Technology Enterprise Center (ITEC) before taking responsibility for CCITT and HSIEC.  He previously held engineering and project management positions at 3COM, Northrop-Grumman, GE Astrospace, and Grayhill, Inc.  He received an MA in Science, Technology and Public Policy from The George Washington University, an MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.