The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) team is comprised of serial entrepreneurs, retired military members, technical experts and former Department of Defense executive leaders. Our standard for excellence is built on the diversity of our backgrounds that have afforded us a deep understanding of the importance of the OFRN mission.

Bob Tanner
Executive Director

Bob Tanner
Executive Director
Robert (Bob) Tanner has over 30 years of experience in transportation law and policy at the federal, state and local levels. Bob joined the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) as its Executive Director where he is responsible for day-to-day operations and leading the organization’s strategy of entrepreneurship and collaboration across Ohio. Prior to joining OFRN, Bob served as Vice President of Corporate & Government Affairs and Associate General Counsel for NetJets, Inc., a world leader in private/business aviation. While at NetJets, Bob worked closely with members of Congress and the aviation industry on policy and regulatory matters impacting our national airspace system, including the testing and implementation of NextGen technologies. Prior to NetJets, Bob was General Counsel and Vice President of Government Affairs for the John Glenn International Airport. Bob is a graduate of the Ohio State University and Capital University Law School. He serves on the Ohio Aviation Aerospace Technology Committee (OAATC) and is a Board member for the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI).

Maj. Gen. Mark Bartman
Senior Advisor

Maj. Gen. Mark Bartman
Senior Advisor
General Bartman is the founder of 9G Consulting LLC and currently serves as a consultant to the Senior Vice President of the Office of Research, The Ohio State University. General Bartman’s most recent military assignment was as the Adjutant General, Ohio National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio, from 2015 to 2019. He was a member of the Governor’s cabinet and was responsible for the command of the Ohio National Guard and the military readiness of the Ohio Militia. General Bartman graduated from The Ohio State University in 1982 and entered military service in September 1982 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program as a distinguished graduate from Detachment 645. General Bartman has served in numerous staff and operations positions in the United States Air Force and the Ohio Air National Guard to include serving as the Air National Guard lead to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force for the Total Force Task Force and commanding the 180th Fighter Wing. He is a command pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours, including 29 combat missions in Operations Provide Comfort, Northern Watch, and Southern Watch.

Matt Bush
Director of Strategic Development

Matt Bush
Director of Strategic Development
Mr. Matt Bush has over 10 years’ experience in policy, program evaluation, compliance, and intelligence in the DoD and DoA sectors. He has served in the executive level as a Presidential Appointee and served as the Principal Director for Special Operations & Combating Terrorism at The Pentagon. Mr. Bush has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Dan Chuhay
Business Development Advisor

Dan Chuhay
Business Development Advisor
Mr. Dan Chuhay has over 15 years’ experience in technology development, program management, business development, and strategic planning. Mr. Chuhay has worked in private and public companies serving the commercial and government marketplace domestically and internationally. Mr. Chuhay has experience in all stages of the product life cycle from conception to commercialization, with specific expertise in wireless communications, sensor networks, and software applications focused on geospatial awareness.

Dave Nestic
SBIR/STTR Director

Dave Nestic
SBIR/STTR Director

Becky Mescher
Program Coordinator

Becky Mescher
Program Coordinator
Ms. Becky Mescher is the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) Program Coordinator and has been a part of OFRN since its inception in 2015. In her role, Becky ensures that research projects are developed and executed in accordance with program criteria and partner expectations. Becky joined Parallax Advanced Research in 2014 as the Communication and Event Manager for the Alliance for Human Effectiveness & Advancement (AHEAD) program. Prior to joining Parallax, Becky served as the Assistant Director of Administration & Operations at the University of Dayton Center for Leadership. During her 25-year tenure at the University, she managed professional development programs for businesses throughout the Dayton region. Becky has an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in management from the University of Dayton. Becky has over 30 years of experience in program coordination and event planning, as well as is certified in Personnel Decisions International (PDI) 360 assessments for executives and managers.

Jessica Pacheco
Marketing & Comms Manager

Jessica Pacheco
Marketing & Comms Manager

Emma Warner
Marketing & Comms Specialist

Emma Warner
Marketing & Comms Specialist

Dr. Albert Green
Consultant

Dr. Albert Green
Consultant
Dr. Albert Green is the Founder and CEO of AMG Consulting Group. Previously, Dr. Green was the CEO of Kent Display, Inc where he transformed the company from an R&D focused licensing company to a product focused consumer packaged goods company. He served on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Council. He currently serves on Senator Sherrod Brown’s Ohio Export Advisory Group. Dr. Green also drives local economic advocacy by serving on the Board of Directors for TeamNEO, JumpStart, the Kent State University Research Corporation, Cuyahoga Community College Board of Visitors and the BRITE Energy Innovators. He also serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s Business Advisory Council and the Greater Cleveland Partnerships Manufacturing Council. Previously, Dr. Green was Vice President and Division Manager SAIC. He holds a B.S. in Physics from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Physics from Stanford University. He also attended the Executive Summer School at MIT’s Sloan School of Business Administration. Dr. Green has been awarded 26 patents.

Dr. Burr Zimmerman
Senior Advisor

Dr. Burr Zimmerman
Senior Advisor
Dr. Burr helps his clients attract capital, engage partners, validate customers and business models, manage programs and learn key entrepreneurial skills. A key focus of Dr. Burr’s work is non-dilutive funding. Dr. Burr’s clients have raised over $750 million in grant funds from federal and state agencies, including HHS/BARDA, NIH, NSF, DoD, DARPA, DOE and multiple agencies’ SBIRs. Dr. Burr holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and has industrial experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and medical device development. He has led successful funding initiatives in health, energy, aerospace, materials and many more sectors. Dr. Burr’s clients span universities, private research organizations, established businesses large and small and government agencies. Dr. Burr works across multiple verticals including advanced materials, alternative energy, and health technology.
