Board of Directors

Matthew C. Watson has extensive experience in organizational management, program development, policy, and advocacy. His twenty-year career includes senior and executive roles in the public and private sectors, most recently serving as the Director of ESD’s division of Science, Technology and Innovation (ESD/NYSTAR).  NYSTAR’s portfolio includes the: Centers of Advanced Technology, Centers of Excellence, High Performance Computing, Hot Spots, Incubators, Regional Technology Development Centers and other programs.  Additionally, Matt oversees ESD/NYSTAR’s newly developed federally funded technology acceleration service initiative, FuzeHub.  Under his management, FuzeHub will serve as NYSTAR’s collaboration platform uniting the NYSTAR university and program partners in providing targeted, multi-disciplinary assistance to support technology acceleration and business growth in New York’s manufacturing base.  Previous positions include a management role with a leading global strategic communications firm, Fleishman-Hillard, where he advised corporate clients.