OCAST chooses Salmon, Lamirand to lead board

December 5, 2012

Dr. Terry Salmon of Oklahoma City Tuesday was re-elected chair of the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development (OSTRaD) Board. The OSTRaD Board governs the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). Salmon is completing his first year as board chair. He is founder of Computer System Designers LLC and is author of several books related to marketing in the software industry.

Hershel Lamirand was chosen to serve as vice-chair. He is president and CEO of the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation. Lamirand replaces Sherri Wise who has served on the OCAST governing board since 2004.

Terms for both men begin January 1, 2013.

OCAST is the state’s technology-based economic development agency and helped create and provide partial funding for the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, headquartered in Tulsa, and the Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center operated under contract with i2E (Innovation to Enterprise) with offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Salmon earned a doctorate of education in applied educational studies in aviation and space education with a management option from Oklahoma State University. He holds a master of science degree from OSU and bachelor in computer science from Cameron University, Lawton. He began his career with the Oklahoma State Department of Education as a computer programmer analyst and later served as an analyst for the Federal Aviation Administration.

He and his firm have been honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Air Traffic Control Association and the Department of Commerce. Salmon has served on the board of directors and board of advisors of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Tinker Leadership Council, Air Traffic Control Association and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. He has authored “Obtaining New Customers in the Software Industry,” and co-authored “CEO Best Practices: Skills, Values & Strategies for Successful CEOs.”

Lamirand is a former investment professional, served as a consultant to the Oklahoma Legislature and worked for the Oklahoma Health Systems Agency. He joined the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1981 as the first executive director of development.

He holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University.

Lamirand is vice chairman of the Oklahoma County Finance Authority and former member of the board for the Points of Light Foundation. He is a founding board member for Leadership USA, Volunteer Center of Central Oklahoma, Leadership Oklahoma, Leadership Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Youth Leadership Program. Lamirand also is a founding board member of i2E and serves as a member of the executive committee and as chairman of the governance and nominating committee.