Terry J. Stallman of Detroit Lakes has been appointed director of Rural Development Initiatives at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC). As director he will manage the Valley Technology Park, a high-tech business incubator on the UMC campus, and serve as the Frank W. Veden Rural Development Chair.

Stallman was a consultant with Thom Consultant Inc., an affiliate of the Ottertail Power Company, providing economic development assistance throughout a 26-county area. He has spent the last 20 years serving small business, first as director of the Small Business Management Program of North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, then as state director of the North Dakota Small Business Development Center. He then moved on to become the director of the Business Development Division of the ND Economic Development Commission, then director for Economic Development for the communities of Perham, New York Mills and Frazee, and finally Economic Development Officer for US Congressman Collin Peterson.

"Valley Technology Park is extremely fortunate to be able to attract Terry Stallman as it’s director. He knows businesses throughout the Valley and the challenges they are facing to remain competitive. His work in economic development for two decades will be of tremendous value to individuals and companies as they pursue new ventures and ideas, and he will strengthen connections between businesses and the University," said UMC Chancellor Donald Sargeant.

Valley Technology Park is created to foster the growth of technology based ventures in the region. It provides a cost-effective physical setting, technical and business assistance and support services to emerging businesses. Its core focus is on agri-products, food technologies and services, information technologies and advance applications of telecommunications and computing technologies. The Park is designed to help new and emerging businesses in their early launch and growth phases, and then to help them move into commercial locations in the region.

"With the advent of the Valley Technology Park, this position gives me the opportunity to attract high tech businesses to northern Minnesota as well as to bring the entrepreneurial concept to students at UMC with real business case studies for them to work with," said Stallman.

The Frank W. Veden Chair in Rural Development is dedicated to improving the economic and societal environment of rural communities. Recognizing UMC’s expertise and leadership in the development and integration of technology, the focus of the chair will be the impact of technology as it relates to rural development. In this position Stallman will be a proactive initiator of alliances between UMC and external and community based resources.

As the Veden Rural Development Chair, Stallman will serve as a UMC faculty member while he develops an active program of applied research and incorporates students into rural development activities. He will also develop additional financial resources through fundraising that will expand UMC’s impact on rural development.

Stallman holds a bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of North Dakota. He serves as president of the Minnesota Business Finance Corporation (MBFC), director of the MBFC Loan Review Board and chairperson of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Loan Review Board.