Published August 01. 2020 09:00AM

Current president and CEO of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania has agreed to postpone his retirement as the organization continues to search for his replacement. The search had been interrupted due to the pandemic. R. Chadwick Paul Jr. agreed to stay on at the request of the Board of Directors. He has served since 2002 and had planned to retire on July 1.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania assists newly formed technology businesses in order to create and retain high-paying, sustainable jobs by investing in and linking companies with experts, universities, follow-on funding, and other resources. It is part of a four-center economic development initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.

Its strategy encompasses three key areas:

• Developing and growing early-stage technology-oriented companies, and;

• Supporting established manufacturers as they apply new technology to help them succeed globally by producing better, at a lower cost and faster;

• Promoting an innovative communitywide infrastructure that supports Pennsylvania’s business technology ecosystem.

Since beginning operations in 1983, BFTP/NEP has helped to create 18,536 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and to retain 37,328 existing jobs, to start 520 new companies, and to develop 1,935 new products and processes. Since 2007, BFTP/NEP clients have generated $1.5 billion in follow-on funding. The Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Partners network has returned $3.90 to the state treasury for every $1 invested in the program.

Any candidate interested in applying for the position of president and CEO can apply at https://bit.ly/3iGnXK7.