FAU Hosts Treasury and SBA Leaders to Discuss Critical Technologies

From left: Chris Pilkerton, assistant secretary for investment security at the U.S. Department of the Treasury; FAU President Adam Hasner; and Kelly Loeffler, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (Photo by Alex Dolce)

Florida Atlantic University recently welcomed Kelly Loeffler, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Chris Pilkerton, assistant secretary for investment security at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, to its Boca Raton campus for a roundtable discussion on how universities, industry, investors and government can work together to strengthen U.S. leadership in critical and emerging technologies.

"Groundbreaking technologies are a force multiplier for economic growth, and the public-private partnership across industry, education and government that Florida Atlantic University has brought to bear means these technologies can benefit society in meaningful ways," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "Turning breakthroughs into opportunity requires entrepreneurs with the grit to build businesses, the capital to grow, and a skilled workforce. Under President Trump's leadership, the SBA is helping innovators access the resources needed to bring their technologies to market, while institutions like FAU foster the collaboration and develop the talent that makes commercialization possible. I'm grateful to FAU for hosting this roundtable with Assistant Secretary Chris Pilkerton and local leaders who work tireless to advance a shared goal: translating American innovation into jobs, economic strength, and national security."

Hosted by the university's College of Engineering and Computer Science, the visit brought federal leaders together with Florida Atlantic researchers and administrators, technology companies, investors, and business and economic-development leaders. Discussion centered on advancing federal priorities in quantum and other critical technologies, investment security, resilient domestic supply chains, the defense industrial base and technology workforce development, while highlighting the economic impact of technology investment in Florida.

"Florida Atlantic is driving discovery and expanding opportunity in the most economically dynamic region in the country," said FAU President Adam Hasner. "It was an honor to welcome Administrator Loeffler and Assistant Secretary Pilkerton to our university and share some of the many ways our students, faculty researchers and industry partners are helping to strengthen talent pipelines, develop new technologies and advance America's competitiveness and national security."

Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, opened the program and introduced Hasner, who delivered welcome remarks.

Chris Gullott, director of government relations at D-Wave, discussed the company's partnership with Florida Atlantic, a cornerstone of the university's Quantum Computing Initiative and its role as Florida's first quantum university. Justin Smith, president and general manager, and Charles Sobchak, senior director of technology, of Concurrent Real-Time, Inc., presented on the company's work in advanced computing technologies.

The meeting also featured a 60-minute roundtable moderated by Siri Terjesen, Ph.D., associate dean for research and external relations at FAU's College of Business. Participants examined what it will take for the U.S. to remain a global leader in quantum and other critical technologies; how universities, industry, investors and government can move innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace; how companies can access the capital, customers and talent needed to scale; and how to attract investment while protecting critical technologies, intellectual property and strategically important supply chains. The conversation also explored South Florida's potential as a regional model for connecting research, entrepreneurship, investment and government.

Roundtable participants included:

• Kelly Loeffler, administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Chris Pilkerton, assistant secretary for investment security, U.S. Department of the Treasury
• Scott McCleneghen, Florida Atlantic trustee and executive vice president, First Horizon Bank
• Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean, Florida Atlantic College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Gregg Fields, Ph.D., vice president for research, Florida Atlantic
• Robert Loredo, executive director of quantum technologies, Florida Atlantic
• Chris Gullott, director of government relations, D-Wave
• Justin Smith, president and general manager, Concurrent Real-Time, Inc.
• Charles Sobchak, senior director of technology, Concurrent Real-Time, Inc.
• Matt Cimaglia, founder and managing partner, Quantum Coast Capital
• Jordan Bargas, executive vice president, Related Ross
• Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
• Troy McClellan, president and CEO, Boca Raton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Following the roundtable, Batalama led the visitors on a tour of the college's FPL Center for Intelligent Energy Technologies and its Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence, where faculty and students highlighted Florida Atlantic's applied research, corporate partnerships and workforce development in critical and emerging technologies.

The visit reflects the priorities of Florida Atlantic's strategic plan, "2031FAU: Where Tomorrow Begins," including its signature strengths in quantum and next-generation computing and in national defense and autonomous systems, and its commitment to fueling economic opportunity across South Florida.

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