CMU Research Corp. names Erin Strang President

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CMU Research Corp. is under new leadership starting today.

University President George Ross, chairman of the RC Board of Directors, appointed Erin Strang as president and CEO Thursday.

Strang said she will collaborate with regional and statewide economic development agencies to accelerate business ventures in mid-Michigan. The main priority of RC is to open the door for innovative business ideas, she said.

“I believe in what we do here at the Research Corporation,” she said. “(We) help the entrepreneurs become successful through our networks.”

Strang started at CMU-RC in January 2009 and became director of operations in December 2009.

Prior to joining the corporation, she worked as assistant director of business innovation at the Oakland University SmartZone Business Incubator.

Her annual salary as president and CEO of RC will be $85,000.

Strang said she is excited about her newest position.

Cason Thorsby, RC Business Development Manager, said working for Strang is enjoyable because she makes him strive to do his best.

“Erin is a super, super competitive person,” he said.

Strang said RC helps start-up businesses in a number of different ways. Personnel help the businesses foster their ideas, stay focused, create a business plan, find a path to success and identify a location to operate.

“I always think of it as we are their management team … until they can afford their own,” she said.

Strang said she has a number of overall goals connected with quantitative numbers she will strive to achieve. She would like to increase the number of businesses RC works with and the number that are successfully launched.

She also said she wants to bridge ties back to CMU to strengthen the relationship between RC and the university.

Strang said the RC’s biggest source of pride is the fortune of its clients.

“The bottom line is our clients are our success,” she said.

Chad Skop, manager of business development, said Strang brings a hard-working mentality to the workplace.

“It’s a fun environment, but we’re all competitive and expect the best out of each other,” he said.