The University of Wisconsin’s Discovery to Product (D2P) office announced recently that Andy Richards has been selected for the director position.

“The D2P director is integral to growing and nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit across campus and in the broader community,” Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Norman Drinkwater said in a statement. “With Andy’s leadership at D2P, we hope to stretch the boundaries of what is possible for innovators at UW-Madison and guide them to success that not only benefits our faculty, staff and students, but also that puts the Wisconsin Idea into practice.”

According to a release, Richards began his role on April 1 after serving as interim director of the program.

Prior to his current role, Richards was a senior special assistant to the president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff for the president at the University of Wisconsin System.