Nexus Louisiana’s Executive Director Stephen Loy is leaving to accept a position with LSU-led FUEL. Loy, who has been with Nexus for over two decades, will be FUEL’s director of technology commercialization.
“It’s just been an absolute joy being here,” Loy says. “What the board has allowed us to do here as a staff with our video game incubator that we started about 10 years ago, our ignition accelerator program and PitchBR, one of my favorite events. Starting these projects and having support from staff, the board, and the community has been great. That’s kind of what led me to this new position because it’s going to be doing a lot of what I’ve been doing here, but on a state level, and being able to have a statewide impact.”
Loy will leave Nexus at the end of the month. Until then, operations will continue as usual, Loy says.
FUEL comprises more than 50 private and public partners, including community and technical colleges, energy companies, state agencies, and universities.
“From everything I’ve been told, I need to be out there talking to opportunity machine in Lafayette, going up to Shreveport and Ruston and New Orleans, Houma and St. Rose and areas like that to get a better landscape of what’s out there and how FUEL can support them,” Loy says.
Loy’s resignation comes as The Research Park Corporation, which oversees Nexus Louisiana, also looks for a new president and CEO. Nexus Louisiana has been without a permanent leader for two years following longtime CEO Genevieve Silverman’s departure in June 2022 after 14 years. Nexus management consultant Calvin Mills has handled leadership responsibilities for the organization since 2022.
“He (Loy) has been an incredible part of the NexusLA and LA Tech Park success, and I am grateful for his leadership and expertise,” Nexus Louisiana Chair Anita Byrne tells Daily Report. “It is exciting he will continue to be part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Capital Region and Louisiana in his new role.”
Byrne adds that the staff will meet early next week to outline transition duties to ensure the work of the tech park continues while the NexusLA CEO search advances.
