Our Team
WSU Ventures is a team of multi-disciplinary professionals dedicated to the business of industry-university collaborations, commercialization of intellectual property and entrepreneurship at Wichita State University. Our goal is to create new products, businesses and jobs that improve the quality of life for Kansas and beyond.
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Mark Torline, M.B.A. Mark serves as director of both WSU Ventures and Wichita State’s Center for Entrepreneurship. He is an investment management firm executive with demonstrated success in both start-up entrepreneurial and large corporate settings. He founded and served as CEO of Allegiance Capital. After selling that firm, he served as an officer of the successor company, Macquarie Allegiance Capital, and of Trilinc Global. Torline has a B.A. in marketing from Wichita State and an MBA in finance from Northwestern University. Phone: (316) 978-7607 Email LinkedIn Profile |
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Rob Gerlach
Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
Rob is the Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer at Wichita State University. He is tasked with protecting the University’s intellectual property, facilitating technology development, and transferring innovation from the University to the marketplace, where its true potential can be realized by customers and end-users. Rob believes that building relationships with industry partners is a key component to successfully transferring technology into the commercial marketplace through collaboration agreements or licensing negotiations, and doing so in a way that creates value for all parties involved. Prior to joining WSU Ventures in 2018, he was a patent attorney at Thompson Coburn LLP and previously at Patterson + Sheridan, where he dealt heavily with patent prosecution, litigation, and inter partes review (IPR). Rob received his B.S., magna cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from Wichita State University in 2011. He then went on to St. Louis University School of Law, where he became a registered patent agent in 2012 before obtaining his J.D., magna cum laude, with a concentration in Intellectual Property Law. Phone: (316) 978-6980 Email LinkedIn Profile |
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Sierra Bonn
Technology Analyst, Marketing Sierra is the marketing student for WSU Ventures’ Technology Analyst Team. In addition to assessing, evaluating, and managing the wide-range of technology and intellectual property developed at the University, Sierra also manages the marketing channels and coordinates public relations. Her current goals include completing a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and advocating for STEAM (science, tech, engineering, arts, and math) education and engagement. |
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Emmalie Gulledge
Technology Analyst, Legal Emmalie, a senior in Biomedical Engineering at WSU, works as the legal assistant at WSU Ventures to help advance intellectual property and trademarks through the legal process. Once Emmalie completes her undergraduate degree, she will prepare for the patent bar exam while she pursues a masters degree in Electrical Engineering. Once she completes her masters degree, she plans on attending law school for patent law. Phone: (316) 978-5812 Email LinkedIn Profile |
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Deb Wagner-Kirmer Deb is the Operations Manager for WSU Ventures, reporting to the Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer. She is tasked with ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the Technology Transfer Office. Providing high-level support to the Director of Intellectual Property, supervise the operation of the Gateway to IP Program, and maintain accounting and operational data and records. Deb came to the University with over 25 years of experience in document control, both accounts payables and accounts receivables, payroll and human resources. She has worked in a variety of settings including engineering/manufacturing and medical businesses. Phone: (316) 978-6950 Email LinkedIn Profile |
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Alan Goodnight, M.B.A.
Alan is the Director of Strategic Investments for WSU Ventures. He is a highly accomplished, entrepreneurial executive with 20 plus years of success in creating value, financial best practices and revenue growth within the technology and manufacturing industries. For the past five years Alan has worked as an independent consultant, providing turnaround, financial and business development solutions to leading companies both large and small. Alan is viewed as an expert with early-stage companies and managing turnarounds with full P&L responsibility. Phone: (316) 285-3456 Email |
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Tracee Friess Tracee leads communication and publicity initiatives for WSU Ventures, and is the Director of Communication and Special Programs for Wichita State University’s Office of Research and Technology Transfer and National Institute for Aviation Research. She has more than ten years of experience in communications; specializing in public relations, news and copywriting, event planning, advertising and social media. She is adept at grasping complex technical details and communicating them to a broad audience. Her industry experience and knowledge of university resources allow her to skillfully navigate both arenas. Phone: (316) 978-5597 Email LinkedIn Profile |