Battelle, Ohio State make joint hire to enhance collaboration for defense commercialization

Research teams from Battelle and the Ohio State University jointly hired Zachary Mears on Wednesday to enhance collaboration and position institutions for defense technology commercialization.

Mears will be on staff as an assistant vice president for national security and research programs at Ohio State and will hold an advisory office at Battelle. Both institutions are located in Columbus, Ohio.

Mears’ shared position with Battelle and Ohio State’s Office of Research and College of Engineering will allow him to assist the university and Battelle in developing and implementing strategic relationship plans related to national security.

“Meeting rapid changes in technology capabilities and operational needs requires a creative, informed community of solvers,” Steve Kelly, senior vice president for contract research at Battelle, said. “Zach’s expertise will enhance Battelle’s ability to anticipate and quickly align with America’s national security priorities.”

Mears previously served as the deputy chief of staff to the secretary of defense and chief of staff to the deputy secretary of defense in Washington, D.C. He also advised the secretary and deputy secretary of defense on national priorities and managed their implementatio, and advised the Defense Innovation Unit-Experimental, which builds bridges between the Pentagon and the United States technology communities in Silicon Valley and Boston.

Mears received his BA in political science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and his MA and PhD in political science from Ohio State.