After an extensive national search, UNLV has named Thomas F. Williams from the Las Vegas office of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), as the director of the newly formed UNLV Research Foundation.

UNLV and the UNLV Foundation recently created the Research Foundation to help identify and develop research opportunities and to provide a vehicle for faculty members to develop and market products that result from their research.

"UNLV's Research Foundation is central to the formation of public-private partnerships that apply university research to benefit the citizens of Nevada by solving problems and creating high-tech jobs," said Stephen Rice, UNLV vice provost for research. "Tom Williams' experience with federal agencies and in Washington will help us move to the next level in our research endeavors."

Williams, who joins UNLV after serving for 13 years in various capacities with the U.S. House of Representatives, the Department of Energy and the NNSA, most recently was the director of congressional, intergovernmental, and strategic programs for the Nevada office of NNSA. In this position he was the senior liaison on external matters and executive officer to the manager on developing program strategies for Department of Energy activities in Nevada.

"This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to help the university realize its potential as an internationally and nationally ranked center of science and technology," Williams said. "I expect that the UNLV Research Foundation will prove to be a valuable addition to ongoing efforts between UNLV and corporations, government, and private individuals to advance the pace of scientific endeavors within the university community. We will seek opportunities in various areas of research in medical, biological, and behavioral sciences and applications and in energy technologies from both traditional and emerging sources. We will also seek opportunities for research of national security, homeland security, forensic science, research and technology application. Additionally, we will look for opportunities to conduct research involving information technology and physical and materials sciences."

Williams possesses a wide range of expertise in government regulations, economics, business development, research policies, and strategic planning.

During his career, Williams has been responsible for the development and execution of the congressional, intergovernmental, and public relations strategy for the $10 billion New Production Reactors Program. Williams also directed the development of administration policy on this national security program during the administration of former President George Bush. Williams was a registered lobbyist with the U.S. House and Senate, as well as the Oklahoma and New Mexico legislatures. He also served six years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Tom and his wife Pat have made their home in Las Vegas for the past five years. Williams began his new position June 17. His office is located in the UNLV Foundation Building. He can be reached at 895-2833.