Today, we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Duffell.
Andrew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m English and lived in England until I was 7, when I moved to Naples, followed by Milan, Italy. From there, my family moved to Madrid and Barcelona, Spain. I attended boarding school in the south of England and read European Studies at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
After graduation, I moved to Barcelona, Spain, and began my career at Agilent Technologies. During this time, I met my now-wife, who is from Miami, so we moved to Florida in 2002, and since that time, I have been involved in the economic development of our region. I took a short break from Florida when we moved to Atlanta in 2003-5 to assist US IT firms in expanding into the UK.
In 2005, we moved back to South Florida, where I worked on the economic development of Palm Beach County, securing the first-ever North American Max Planck Society investment in Jupiter, before taking up my current role in January 2011.
With a robust international background and a wealth of experience in various economic development roles, Duffell has honed a forward-thinking and solution-oriented approach to driving the growth of South Florida’s economy, leveraging technology as a primary catalyst.
Taking the helm as president of the Research Park at FAU in 2011 marked a pivotal moment in his career trajectory. Through strategic repositioning initiatives spearheaded by Duffell, the Research Park’s impact on the region’s economy has experienced a remarkable surge.
At the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University®, a dynamic ecosystem thrives, housing technology companies and research-based organizations dedicated to bolstering the research and development endeavors of Florida Atlantic University.
Duffell’s astute leadership, the Research Park has evolved into South Florida’s premier laboratory for pioneering entrepreneurial concepts and cutting-edge technologies, playing a pivotal role in advancing the economic development agenda of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Duffell’s accolades reflect his exemplary leadership and profound impact on the business landscape. In 2017, he was honored as the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year and recognized as an Ultimate CEO by the South Florida Business Journal.
Additionally, he was honored as Palm Beach Ultimate CEO in 2015, underscoring his significant contributions to the region’s economic vitality. Furthermore, his recognition as a “40 Under 40 Rising Star in Economic Development” by Development Counsellors International (DCI) at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Leadership Summit in January 2015 underscores his visionary leadership and strategic acumen.
Beyond his professional achievements, Duffell’s commitment to community service is equally commendable. He currently serves on the board of directors for Children’s Home Society of Florida and has served on boards of directors for prominent organizations such as the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce and Florida Economic Development Council, among others, leveraging his expertise to drive meaningful change and foster sustainable community growth.
Educationally, Duffell holds a Master of Arts (Hons) in European Studies from the University of Aberdeen, a testament to his global perspective and interdisciplinary approach. In 2015, he further augmented his credentials by earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Florida Atlantic University, solidifying his proficiency in business strategy and leadership.
Duffell’s multifaceted expertise, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication continue to propel South Florida’s economic landscape forward, cementing his position as a preeminent leader in business and economic development.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I don’t think life is ever smooth.
Bumps along the way have involved assimilating to new cultures several times and getting used to new places throughout my life, for example. It is an odd feeling to be from somewhere else, wherever you go. However, I was blessed with understanding and supportive parents.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Research Park is home to a growing number of medical technology ventures developing new treatments, processes, and devices that will improve healthcare for millions in areas such as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The innovations taking place at our scale-up incubator, Global Ventures, and within the Research Park are amazing and involve emerging research leaders in the Center for SMART Health, for example.
Global Ventures is a designated soft-landing center for international CEOs who want to expand into the US market with personalized service to ease the transition and market entry processes. Companies with 6 or more employees and approximately $1m in revenues from countries like Colombia, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, and Israel are thriving as they grow in South Florida with our resources.
We want the Research Park at Florida Atlantic to be the first-choice destination for innovation and research-oriented companies. Why wouldn’t a CEO want to be located in the geographic center of South Florida with a major research university and an unrivaled quality of life 1.8 miles from the beach?
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from growing up.
I grew up all over Europe, so I have amazing memories of exploring Mount Vesuvius or the ruins of Pompeii as a child and learning to swim in a beautiful blue neighborhood pool outside Naples. We traveled all over Europe, seeing beautiful cities, castles, churches, and cultures.
Pricing:
- Global Ventures flexible office suites start at $600/month
- Available suites in the Research Park at Florida Atlantic are available at $22 NNN
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ResearchParkFAU.com
- Instagram: @ResearchParkFAU
- Facebook: @ResearchParkFloridaAtlantic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/researchparkfau/
- Twitter: @ResearchParkFAU
