The People Behind CIMS

On the Forefront of Innovation Management

 

The staff, faculty and fellows who bring CIMS programs and services to life share a passion for understanding how successful innovation happens and then making that information accessible. Their diverse, front-line experience in both industry and academia as well as their eagerness to collaborate with universities, researchers and industrial partners around the globe help distinguish CIMS from other organizations focused on innovation studies. 

  • Alden S. Bean, Executive Director

    Dr. Alden S. Bean has been Executive Director of CIMS since it moved to NC State in 2000. He founded the organization in 1984 at Lehigh University, where he had a long and distinguished career as a researcher and a Kenan professor. Prior to his Lehigh appointment, Dr. Bean spent 10 years with the National Science Foundation, and also served on the faculties of the University of Cincinnati, the State University of New York at Albany and Northwestern University. Dr. Bean served on the National Technological University's Curriculum Committee and helped design the master's degree programs in MoT for both NTU and Lehigh University. He holds a a Ph.D. in organization theory from Northwestern University. Contact: abean27@cox.net or 757-565-7717

  • Paul Mugge, Director

    Paul Mugge joined CIMS as its Director in 2005 after a 35-year career with IBM, where he specialized in helping clients transform their new products and services-development capabilities. He was part of the team that developed the industry's first capability to simulate, test and manufacture very large-scale integration circuits, and led the IBM team that conceived the IBM ThinkPad. He received IBM's Innovation Achievement Award for his work with IBM's supermini-mainframe. Mr. Mugge is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Arkansas State University, where he received a bachelor' degree in mathematics. Contact: paul_mugge@ncsu.edu or 919-513-7478

  • Leslie Alexandre, Director of Business Development

    Dr. Leslie Alexandre serves as Director of Corporate Relations for both CIMS and the NC State College of Management's BioSciences Management Initiative, an appointment that includes faculty status. She brings to bear five years of experience as president and CEO of the NC Biotechnology Center, the nation's first state-funded biotech center and a major force in propelling North Carolina to its No. 3 spot on the best states for biotech list. Dr. Alexandre works to build strategic partnership among the College's Department of Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE), BioSciences Management Initiative, and CIMS. Her background includes an industrial-relations position at the National Cancer Institute and a vice president's position at Oncormed Inc., a leading provider of cancer-related genetic testing services. Dr. Alexandre holds a doctorate from the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles. Contact: Alexandre@ncsu.edu or 919-513-2862

  • Michelle L. Grainger, Program Director

    Michelle L. Grainger has been with CIMS since 2000. She brings a wealth of organizational and communication skills to the Program Director role and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of CIMS. Ms. Grainger's work includes planning workshops and twice-yearly sponsors meeting, as well as serving as CIMS' primary liaison with its researchers and corporate sponsors. A native of Cary, NC, who has travelled extensively, Ms. Grainger holds a B.S. in business management and a B.A. in communications from N.C. State University. Contact: mgrainger@ncsu.edu or 919-513-0166.