Ajay Menon, state’s first innovation officer, named dean of CSU’s Ag College

By: InnovatioNews Wednesday June 3, 2015 0 comments Tags: Fort Collins, CSU College of Busin, Ajay Menon, COIN, Gov. John Hickenloop, Tony Frank, Craig Beyrouty

FORT COLLINS -- Ajay Menon, former chief innovation officer for Colorado and dean of the Colorado State University College of Business for the past 13 years, has been named dean of CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

As the state’s first chief innovation officer – a cabinet-level position appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper in 2011 – Menon was involved in the creation of the Colorado Innovation Network (COIN) and continues to serve on COIN’s board.

“Our state’s agricultural industry is in a period of enormous innovation and change, and that aligns directly with Ajay’s expertise in business and the global marketplace,” said Tony Frank, CSU president and chancellor of the CSU System.

“He also understands the importance of vision and strategy in moving an academic college forward.”

Menon joined the CSU College of Business faculty in 1991 and was named dean in 2002.

“It is a great honor to take on this new challenge as dean of CSU’s historic College of Agricultural Sciences,” Menon said. “This college has always been vital to the advancement and development of the state’s economy, and I look forward to working with our faculty to position the college to continue building and growing a spirit of innovation within Colorado agriculture and beyond.”

Menon will assume his new role July 1. He replaces former dean Craig Beyrouty, who is leaving CSU to become dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland.

About the Author: InnovatioNews

InnovatioNews is an online news magazine spotlighting innovative companies, products and people in Colorado. Launched in June of 2012, the site is the recipient of multiple awards.