SYRACUSE — Robert (Bob) Kaspryzycki has started his new job as program manager for the Syracuse Tech Garden, CenterState CEO’s technology incubator and business accelerator at 235 Harrison St. CenterState CEO announced the hiring of Kaspryzycki in a Feb. 4 news release. He started his new role on Jan. 25. He replaces Tony Kershaw, who […]
SYRACUSE — Robert (Bob) Kaspryzycki has started his new job as program manager for the Syracuse Tech Garden, CenterState CEO’s technology incubator and business accelerator at 235 Harrison St.
CenterState CEO announced the hiring of Kaspryzycki in a Feb. 4 news release. He started his new role on Jan. 25.
He replaces Tony Kershaw, who left the organization to pursue other opportunities, CenterState CEO said in response to a CNYBJ email inquiry.
Kaspryzycki learned about the Tech Garden opening through his work with Clear Path for Veterans.
“I had been working as a volunteer for a local charity. That’s how I discovered there was a position opening,” says Kaspryzycki.
He had served as a major in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Kaspryzycki most recently was training manager for global supplies systems at Danbury, Connecticut–based Praxair Inc. in the Buffalo area, CenterState CEO said.
Kaspryzycki, who lives in Cazenovia, had been commuting weekly to his job at Praxair.
“I’d leave on a Monday and return home on Friday,” he says.
He worked there for more than three years until the firm underwent restructuring last summer. It involved a “significant layoff” that included Kaspryzycki’s position, he says.
Kaspryzycki has a background in project management, technical-training development, curriculum development, and performance improvement.
“I think it’s a way for me to impact economic growth and assist startups, which is very interesting at this stage of my career,” he said when asked about what he found appealing about the position.
The Syracuse Tech Garden uses business mentors to help the startup companies operating in the facility, and wants to offer additional help, says Rick Clonan, VP of innovation services at CenterState CEO.
“We’d like to go to the next level and do a more structured sort of curriculum, training program, and with Bob’s background in both product development and curriculum development, I think he’s a perfect fit for that,” says Clonan.
In his role as program manager, Kaspryzycki will be responsible for the development and delivery of program services for entrepreneurs and business builders.
His duties include budgeting and “executing and tracking” of programs such as NY Hotspot, Grants for Growth, Germinator, and Genius NY.
Additionally, he will work with other Tech Garden staff on curriculum, training, and mentorship activities to “enhance the entrepreneurial experience,” CenterState CEO said.
Kaspryzycki earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial design from Syracuse University (SU) in 1974. He later received a master’s degree in structural design from SU in 1996 before earning his master of business administration degree, also from SU, in 1999.
He had also served 13 years with the U.S. Army Reserve, having retired from active duty in 1989.
