Global Management of Future Focused Technologies

Brief Description

Our global technology base is expanding at an ever increasing rate. With the development of strong technology skill sets in almost every region of the world coupled with the spread of basic research, technology development and final product manufacturing to any region across the globe, the challenge of managing technologies into successful commercialization is critical to a business' success. This creates interesting challenges for today's management teams and will force changes in some of the past paradigms of how research and technology building can occur. This area will be presented with current business examples of processes and successes in the every changing electronics marketplace.

Short Bio

Dr. Sax earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and his Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in 1984. James joined 3M Company in 1984 as a Senior Chemical Engineer in the Corporate Research Process Technologies Laboratory. Since joining 3M, Jim has been involved in several businesses including protective fluorochemicals, retro reflective traffic signage, consumer and office businesses, medical products, and electrical and electronics products. Jim has been a technical manager in the consumer and office products business, a Technical Director in the Electrical Products Division, the Stationery Products Division and has held technical management responsibilities for the Interface Materials Technology Center and the Corporate Process Technologies Laboratory. Jim is currently the Executive Director of Research and Development for the Electro and Communications Business of 3M.