The University of Wisconsin-Madison has hired a former official with Foxconn Technology Group to lead the university's Office of Business Engagement.
John Garnetti will lead the office as managing director, UW-Madison said Thursday. He starts April 26.
In his new role, Garnetti will support and execute the Office of Business Engagement's strategic vision, lead and grow the office's team of engagement directors, and expand existing and cultivate new business relationships across all UW schools and colleges. Garnetti will report to Christopher Kozina, assistant vice chancellor for industry engagement.
“Driving more significant, mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships with the business community, while raising awareness of the university’s breadth and depth of resources are some of our key priorities," Kozina said in a press release. "We are excited that John’s global experience and reputation for building strong relationships will help us advance these goals. His background in business development, complex problem solving and multi-cultural relationship building will greatly benefit the Office of Business Engagement and UW–Madison.”
Garnetti's past roles include director of business development for Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer that's development a major campus in Mount Pleasant, and manager of product marketing for the Education Division of Aver information Inc., an education, business communication and wireless presentation technology manufacturer in Taiwan.
Garnetti, the university said, is well versed in international business practices and fluent in Mandarin Chinese. He also has experience working with leaders in the private and public sectors that will aid OBE in its goal of growing corporate engagement that spans sponsored research, professional development, corporate philanthropy and talent solutions.
Garnetti holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Florida. He returned to the United States in 2017 after nearly a decade with multinational firms across East Asia.
UW-Madison also added nearly 30-year technology veteran Andrea Bradshaw to its School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences and the Office of Business Engagement as the CDIS business engagement director. In her new role, Bradshaw will build and enhance relationships between UW-Madison and the private sector, government and nonprofits, accelerating technology and innovation-based talent and research collaborations.
Bradshaw most recently served at Vernon Hills, Illinois-based information technology products company CDW Corp. as a vice president and general manager for information technology solutions and services. Before CDW, she co-founded the wireless services company Brightstar US. Her career began at Motorola, where she held various executive positions in subscriber sales and operations.
“Having the chance to build connections between industry and UW-Madison is a tremendous opportunity,” said Bradshaw in a March 22 press release. “I’m excited to be able to use my experience on the industry side to create and strengthen partnerships with businesses looking for tech research, expertise, and innovation. It’s all here at UW-Madison.”
The Office of Business Engagement (OBE) serves as UW–Madison’s central campus liaison to business and industry partners, helping them connect with schools, colleges and other units on campus.
