“At the moment, it’s just a really big green field,” Richardson says, describing the plot of land near College Boulevard and K-7 where the campus will be located. “The first thing we need to do is get the roads and sewer and water lines laid down. Then we start building. It’s going to be fun. Very exciting for Olathe, K-State, and the entire region.”

     Richardson is currently vice president and chief animal welfare veterinarian at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Research and Development Pet Nutrition Center. He joined Hill’s in 1991. Richardson is on the board of directors and is past board chairman of KansasBIO. He is a member of the Biosciences Subcommittee for Sen. Pat Robert’s Advisory Committee on Science, Technology and the Future, and is on the board of trustees for the KU Center for Research. In addition he is on the governor’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas Task Force.

     Ingram’s spoke with Richardson about his new responsibilities.   

 

So, what exactly is an Innovation Campus?

It’s a unique interaction between academia, government, and industry. It’s a research campus where basic scientific animal health and nutrition research will be conducted. It’s an academic environment. It’s an incubator for new products and business enterprises to develop, based on the research we conduct here, and on research done elsewhere. And it’s an industrial park where companies can locate to take advantage of all of the above. The objective is to create and then exploit synergies.  

 

What will be your first priorities when you take over in January?

Well, I want to get to know the people of Olathe better. They’ve been leaders in launching this concept in a remarkably short period of time. The idea of this campus went from scribblings on a napkin to start-up in about two years.  

 

Why is this concept such a good idea?

Because it holds such promise for our local and regional economies. It takes advantage of a critical mass of animal science companies, and academic expertise that exists here. There are issues of pet health, food safety, the nation’s food supply, biomass, and alternative fuels, that are all interrelated and we’re in a position to make a significant contribution to the science in these areas, as well as to create products and businesses that will employ hundreds of Kansas citizens.

 

What inspires and motivates you, professionally and personally?

Personally, I’m inspired by my wife Kathryn. We’ve been married 32 years. We’ve been through a lot together and she’s always been so strong. She’s a biologist and fellow K-State grad. Professionally, I’m motivated to give back something to the state of Kansas. I’ve benefited more than I can measure from the people, schools and enterprises in this great state. This new position will allow me to return the favor.