President of the Griffiss Institute Announces Retirement

After fourteen years of leadership, William Wolf is retiring from the Griffiss Institute

William Wolf, president of Griffiss Institute

Rome, NY – William Wolf, President of the Griffiss Institute (GI), has announced his plans to retire at the end of the month as the Institute moves into its new home in the Innovare Advancement Center. Mr. Wolf has led the institute for the past 14 years, taking it from a one-man operation in 2006, to a thriving enterprise which currently employs over 30 professionals and has over $200 million dollars in contracts with the federal and state government. His infectious, positive attitude is clear in his message to the GI staff. “I have been extremely fortunate and enjoyed the opportunity to lead this great organization,” said Wolf. “It has been a wild and wonderful ride and I thank you all for taking the ride with me.” Today, the Griffiss Institute is a major player in technology transfer, training and education, and economic development in the Mohawk Valley.

Mr. Wolf’s leadership has paved a path of success and growth. Most recently, the Griffiss Institute partnered with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) and Oneida County in establishing the Innovare Advancement Center, a new open innovation campus located on the Griffiss Business and Technology Park. This new center will enable a robust high-tech entrepreneurial, R&D, and educational ecosystem for the region and the nation by driving advancements in key strategic areas, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and quantum. This research will take place not only locally, but also at partnering organizations all over the world.

“This is the ideal time for me to step aside and bring in fresh talent to lead this giant step forward,” says Wolf. “It is my hope that new leadership will enable the Griffiss Institute and the Innovare Advancement Center to become a truly world class research center and further establish Rome and the Mohawk Valley as the Center of Excellence in these important technologies and all that this implies for the growth of the local economy”.

Before his tenure at GI began in 2006, Mr. Wolf began his career in 1968 as an electrical engineer at the Rome Air Development Center (which later became the Air Force Research Laboratory). He held a variety of positions with progressive responsibility in both management and technical leadership.   During his career he served on numerous technical and international committees relating to cyber security. He served as the Air Force lead and Chair for Project Reliance IA Subgroup. From 2004 through 2006, Mr. Wolf served as the US National Lead for The Technology Cooperation Program (TTCP), an international group comprised of scientists from the US, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand addressing technology developments in cyber security. He retired from civil service in March 2006 as Chief of the Cyber Operations Branch and later that year assumed his position as President of the Griffiss Institute.

A national search is being conducted for Wolf’s replacement.

Recent News

Building the Next Generation of Defense Innovators through Experiential Learning and Semiconductor Research

Download as PDF October 11, 2024- The Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH), in...

Griffiss Institute Names Angela Wright as Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs

Rome, NY – August 28, 2024 – Griffiss Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of...

Griffiss Institute Appoints Dean Korsak as General Counsel and Secretary to the Board

Rome, NY – August 28, 2024 – The Griffiss Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Dean...

Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held for ORION: A Groundbreaking Internet of Things (IoT) Technology Ecosystem

Rome, NY — August 23, 2024 — Open-Architecture Resilient IoT for Operational Networks (ORION)...

Griffiss Institute Announces HUSTLE Defense Accelerator Winners

Rome, NY- Griffiss Institute revealed the exceptional achievements of the eight tech companies who...

B3K receives $2 million to launch Innovation Hub in East Kern

Partnership with Griffiss Institute will promote tech transfer and grow the region’s aerospace...

Griffiss Institute Names Matthew Mroz as Executive Vice President for Strategic Programs

Rome, NY – July 23, 2024 – Griffiss Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of...
Scroll to Top

Due to the severe weather conditions and state of emergency declared by the City of Rome, Rome Labs & Innovare Advancement Center will be closed on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. This closure affects all Griffiss Institute staff, residents, guests, and program participants, including STEM campers, interns, visiting faculty, fellows, and incubator clients. We will resume normal business hours of operation on July 18, 2024.

If you are impacted by the tornado and need assistance please call 211 or text 898-211, the United Way of Mohawk Valley can assist you with proper resources during this time. www.211midyork.com