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UA alum Ken Marcus will oversee the park's daily operations.

By Alexis Blue, University Communications
July 22, 2009

Sprawled across 1,345 acres, The University of Arizona's Science and Technology Park comprises nearly 2 million square feet and is home to the Arizona Center for Innovation, 40 science and technology companies, a branch of the UA South campus and more.

Charged with overseeing daily operations at the diverse facility is the park director, a position assumed this month by UA alumnus Ken Marcus.

Marcus, who also acts as chief financial officer for the park, succeeds Marshall Worden, who retired from the position. Marcus has served as park director before, in addition to his role as CFO. He was interim and then permanent park director for about four years before Worden took over. Marcus continued in the CFO position following his stint as director. 

A graduate of the UA, Marcus is celebrating his 10th year at the park.

"Since beginning his career with the Tech Park 10 years ago, Ken has worked passionately to advance the park. He is an asset to this organization and has done an excellent job accommodating the needs of our tenants, which range from startups to Fortune 500 companies," Bruce Wright, associate vice president for economic development, said in a prepared statement. Wright is the chief operating officer for the park.

In addition to helping with the execution of numerous building improvements and the implementation of modern communication infrastructure, Marcus was instrumental in the 2003 construction of the park's first new building since the late 1970s.

A graduate of Nogales High School, Marcus did not have a future in business management in mind when he began his studies as a UA student. Instead, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in agriculture, intent on becoming a veterinarian.

But a natural inclination for accounting and an opportunity to manage some family-owned properties in Nogales eventually took Marcus in a different direction.

He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and worked as acting executive director of financial services for a major public school district, as a controller for consumer products company Bell & Howell, and as president for Renee Properties, a commercial property management and leasing company, before joining the UA Science and Technology Park in 1999.

As director, Marcus manages daily operations, tenant services, lease negotiations and compliance activities for the park. He also oversees facilities and corporate counsel activities and is responsible for maintaining the park's financial records and reports. 

Tasks charged to the director include everything from recruiting science and technology companies to lease space at the park to working with Tucson business leaders to promote the park to managing routine building maintenance activities like painting and, increasingly, projects to help make the park more "green," such as installing environmentally friendly soap and recycled paper towels in restrooms.

"We make sure things are up and running, and we have several things on the burner," Marcus said.

Among potential future park development projects are the construction of a hotel on the park's west side and the construction of a Vail High School campus on site, he said.

An Arizona native, Marcus has little trouble rattling off the location's strongest selling points, including its proximity to the border and Union Pacific rail lines, for businesses who require that type of access and, of course, the region's weather and aesthetic appeal.

"We have a lot to offer here. It's a beautiful city, and inside it's a beautiful park," he said.

The Science and Technology Park is also one of the area's largest employment centers. With about 7,000 total workers – tenant and UA employees combined – it contributes nearly $2.5 billion to Pima County's economy. It is located in a rapidly growing area on the city's east side, at 9070 S. Rita Road, off Interstate 10.

Marcus is active in a number professional and community organizations, including the Institute of Management Accountants, the Business Owners and Managers Association and the Association of University Research Parks.