McCallum Joins UT Research Park as Vice President

Rickey McCallum joined the UT Research Park as vice president on July 1.

Rickey McCallum

Rickey McCallum

“Rickey is a great fit with the directions we’ve established for the UT Research Park,” President and CEO Tom Rogers said. “He brings a lot of passion to the job, and has an absolutely fantastic network of contacts both within the university and with companies who are already collaborating with UT in some ways. I think he’s the perfect first hire for what we envision to be a very lean and energetic leadership team.”

McCallum will capitalize on his prior experience with the UT Foundation to help the park fulfill its mission to serve as a gateway for collaboration between the university and the private sector. He will work to foster new public-private partnerships, cultivate new university-industry research opportunities and continue to foster the relationships UT’s leadership, faculty and staff.

“I am truly excited to begin this new journey at the UT Research Park, and for the opportunity to work alongside and learn from Tom,” McCallum said. “I am excited to maintain my close connectivity with the campus, and I believe it will be a critical component to the success of our new vision for the Research Park at Cherokee Farm.”

Prior to spending the past five years as associate director for the UT Corporate Industry and Foundation Engagement office, McCallum worked for TVA and a number of other private companies in the region. Rickey and his wife, Erin, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and currently live in West Knoxville with their two boys Carter and Will.