March 23, 2022
President Linton joins TechAccel board of directors
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Richard H. Linton, president of Kansas State University, has joined the board of directors of TechAccel LLC, effective immediately.
TechAccel, based in Overland Park, is a technology and venture development organization investing in scientific breakthroughs to produce healthier plants, animals and foods. It was founded in 2014 by Michael Helmstetter with support of Kansas State University and an elite investment group of Kansas City-area business leaders.
Linton assumed the leadership of K-State following the retirement of former President Richard Myers. Myers also had previously served on the board of directors of TechAccel.
"Much of my career has been focused on bringing leadership in agriculture and life sciences together in partnership to solve the global challenges of agriculture and food systems," Linton said. "I'm honored to be a part of this board, and I look forward to contributing."
Greg M. Graves, chair of the TechAccel board of directors, said the board looks forward to working with Linton.
"We welcome his expertise, leadership, and insights, especially his vast experience in food science, agriculture and technology," Graves said. "It will be a pleasure to continue expanding our strong and mutually beneficial relationship with K-State."
"Dr. Linton has a background of collaboration with industry and government to address global agricultural challenges — a perfect alignment with the TechAccel mission, where we like to say, 'Collaboration is the engine of success,'" Helmstetter said. "We look forward to working together to advance science, create jobs, and introduce solutions for healthy plants and animals."
Linton joins an elite board of founding TechAccel investors: Paul DeBruce, CEO of DeBruce Cos.; Jeffrey Dobbs, former Global Chair of KPMG LLP International Industrial; Terry Dunn, former CEO of JE Dunn Construction Group Inc.; Cliff Illig, former vice chairman of Cerner; Roshann Parris, founder and CEO of Parris Communications; and John Sherman, CEO of MLP Holdings, in addition to Chairman Graves, former CEO of Burns & McDonnell; and Helmstetter.