June 8, 2004 — Texas is getting a small image makeover, courtesy of a consortium of universities, industry leaders, investors and government officials.

The Texas Nanotechnology Initiative today announced its new push to promote nano commercialization throughout the state, including a redesign of the TNI’s Web site, which the organization would like to become the “go to” resource for information on the state’s emerging nanotech sector. The site contains links to industry news and reports, updates and a calendar on Texas’s nano activities and information on nano companies in the state.

“As the old saying goes ‘knowledge is power’ and providing Texas’ nanotechnology community a vehicle to effectively communicate with one another and share valuable knowledge will be a powerful tool for accelerating the process of commercialization,” Kelly Kordzik, TNI president, said in a news release issued today. “By redesigning the TNI Web site we now have an effective, central location where academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and venture capitalists can obtain valuable information about nanotechnology news and developments in Texas.”

Kordzik also announced the appointment of Joseph H. McCall as TNI’s first executive director. McCall, a 22-year-veteran of the securities industry, had helped form and lead two other technology networking organizations — the Austin Software Council (now Austin Technology Council) and the Technology Advisors Group.

“It is no secret that nanotechnology has become a global competition, and Texas is well positioned to be a leader in the application of nanotech in creating and improving a vast array of products,” McCall said in the news release. “Furthermore, it is the economic and job growth engine of the 21st century.”