Leadership Team Biographies
Griffiss Institute Executive Leadership Team
HEATHER HAGE – Heather Hage is an American nonprofit leader who believes in the power of scientific research, education, and entrepreneurship to transform lives and communities for good.
As President & CEO of the Griffiss Institute, Heather leads the organization to achieve societal and economic impact with her “heads up, hearts forward, shoulders back” philosophy. Heather’s time at Griffiss has been defined by a vision to drive change and elevate people to strengthen the competitiveness of our region, state, and nation by engaging every generation in collaborative innovation to secure America’s critical infrastructure. Cultivating a diverse and dedicated team of outstanding professionals with sharp mission focus on developing the next generation of STEM talent, disruptive technologies, and new ventures to advance national security, grow our economy, promote upward mobility, and make our communities better, forever, is Heather’s present passion.
A proud native of Upstate New York’s Mohawk Valley and vigorous advocate for its place in the American innovation economy, Heather is a graduate of Hamilton College and Albany Law School, where she was Managing Editor of the Journal of the Science and Technology. Heather’s professional background includes high value technology transfer transactions, intellectual property policy, strategic planning, venture development, and the practice of law before New York State and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, before she retired from the practice of law. Prior to joining Griffiss Institute, Heather served SUNY Research Foundation for over 15 years where she powered SUNY researchers and technology transfer professionals to engage in collaborative academic-industry-government research, technology transfer, and economic development, through public-private partnerships with research and commercialization partners around the world.
Heather is the recipient of various honors and awards, including SUNY’s Woman of Excellence Award for outstanding service, exemplary support of women in leadership, and a distinguished career. Most recently, Heather was honored with the 2025 City & State Above and Beyond Award, 2024 Baird Women Who Inspire Award, and 2023 YWCA Salute to Outstanding Women for community leadership in STEAM. On behalf of the Griffiss Institute, Heather has accepted two Business of the Year awards from the Mohawk Valley and Rome Area Chambers of Commerce and the Federal Laboratory Commission Best in Region Award for excellence in state and local economic development.
Heather has served many boards, and is currently Chair of the National Science Foundation Upstate Energy Storage Engine and serves the board and finance committee for the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY-CREATES). A devoted mother of three children, when Heather is not working, you can find her watching middle school sports and wandering the woods and waters of the Adirondacks, with her family.
SETH MULLIGAN – Seth Mulligan specializes in developing innovation, growth and management disciplines and developing business systems, to grow organizations. In his career, Seth has been a partner to innovators as a startup incubator director, an agribusiness business development consultant, and technology transfer seed-fund operator.
Additionally, Mulligan has been an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship and a professional trainer of entrepreneurship for transitioning US Military service women and men. When not being supporting partner dav for innovators and entrepreneurs, Seth has been an executive in two venture-capital backed startups: TCGplayer.com and StorySlab, Inc. contributing to overall corporate strategy and launching customer success, business development, and e-commerce services.
Seth’s education background is focused on public systems where he has two Masters degrees in Administration and a Bachelor degree in Political Science and Philosophy. Seth enjoys live music, travel, and following professional sports. When not at work, Seth spends time with his family and hails from Syracuse, NY.
Mike continues to be responsible for the development of an Open Innovation Environment to facilitate basic research at AFRL/RI and enhance technology transfer activities within the directorate.
He holds a BA in Computer Science from the State University of New York at Potsdam and an MS in Information Systems Management from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
As a former chemistry faculty member at both the K-12 and community college level, in addition to his experience as an academic administrator over STEM programs, Tim has a deep proficiency in STEM education and labor-force development. He serves on several governance boards, including public boards in the K-12 sector and has a strong record of developing unique, creative, and complex partnerships to cultivate educational and workforce pipelines.
MELISSA TALLMAN – Melissa Tallman, serving as the Chief Brand Officer, is a seasoned executive with a notable career characterized by strategic foresight, brand leadership, and community engagement. With a proven track record in fostering collaborative work environments, Melissa stands as a humble catalyst for positive change and impact in the realm of brand development & integrity. Her leadership style, anchored in a commitment to delivering tangible results, has earned her recognition for her ability to inspire teams and cultivate meaningful connections within and beyond the organization.
In her role at the Griffiss Institute, Melissa anchors the purpose and manages the internal and external company image. With a primary focus on brand improvement for all audiences, she interacts and engages with internal and external stakeholders to foster brand alignment and advocacy.
With a background in health and wellness entrepreneurship, she brings over 13 years of experience successfully operating a business in the Mohawk Valley. Following the sale of her business, she transitioned to a role as Marketing and Communications Director for a national domestic policy advocacy non-profit organization, where she honed her skills in marketing, communications, and strategic planning.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University, complementing her practical experience with a strong foundation in marketing principles. Outside of work, Melissa is a dedicated mom to two teenage boys and enjoys traveling around the state to enjoy live music with her husband.
David is comfortable across accounting systems with multiple certifications. He prides himself on gaining deep understandings of his organizations and building partnerships across divisions.
David holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Denver as well as Bachelor degrees in Business and International Studies from American University. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, running and sports. A Colorado native, David now resides in Arlington, VA.
MATTHEW MROZ – Matthew Mroz brings over 15 years of progressive experience in technology commercialization, academic research and development, and public-private partnerships. His deep expertise in intellectual property management, business development, and strategic partnerships makes him an ideal fit for this critical role. Matt’s entrepreneurial approach and commitment to continuous business improvement have been demonstrated throughout his tenure at The Research Foundation of The State University of New York (SUNY), where he most recently served as Vice President for Industry and External Affairs.
“I am excited to join the Griffiss Institute and lead the effort to establish it as a national leader in STEM talent and technology acceleration for the American defense industrial base,” said Mroz. “This is a tremendous opportunity to foster innovation and collaboration on a national scale, and I look forward to contributing to the Institute’s growth and success while strengthening U.S. national security and creating economic opportunity for regions across the country.”
Reflecting on Matthew’s contribution to the RF and SUNY research community, Dr. Melur Ramasubramanian, RF President and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost for SUNY said, ”Matthew has been a driving force in our technology commercialization and industry engagement efforts. His strategic vision and ability to forge impactful partnerships have significantly advanced our mission. Griffiss Institute will greatly benefit from his expertise. Together with his colleagues at the RF and across the SUNY system I wish him much future success.”
DEAN KORSAK – Dean joins the Griffiss Institute from his previous role as the Legal Director and Staff Judge Advocate at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, NY. His career highlights include empowering teams to deploy advanced technology systems, guiding major federal facilities projects, and advising on data privacy, combat operations, nuclear facilities, and missile defense architecture.
Dean holds a Master of Laws from Columbia Law School, a Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law, and a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University. He has also completed various professional military education programs, including the Air War College and Nuclear Weapons Incident Response certification.
With his deep understanding of legal and regulatory matters, Dean enhances the institute’s ability to navigate complex legal landscapes, ensure compliance, and implement best practices in corporate governance. His leadership also bolsters the institute’s capacity to support innovative research and development projects, fostering collaboration among government, academia, and industry partners.
ANGELA WRIGHT – Angela brings a distinguished background in government relations, having most recently served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Government Relations at the State University of New York (SUNY). With extensive experience in managing state and federal relations, she has successfully implemented advocacy campaigns, coordinated legislative efforts, and engaged with key stakeholders to promote educational initiatives across SUNY’s 64 campuses. Her expertise in distilling complex information into persuasive messages and her ability to build strong relationships with legislators and community leaders make her an ideal fit for this role.
Angela’s career at SUNY includes notable achievements such as leading advocacy days in Washington, D.C., overseeing federal research priorities, and managing responses to legislative inquiries. Her efforts have significantly impacted higher education policy and funding, enhancing SUNY’s research portfolio and fostering collaboration across campuses. Additionally, Angela’s work with the Research Foundation for SUNY has established her as a key player in driving strategic growth and innovation.
Angela Wright expressed her excitement about joining the Griffiss Institute, stating, “I am thrilled to join the Griffiss Institute team and look forward to leveraging my experience in government relations to enhance our partnerships and support the growth of the VICEROY Scholars program. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on STEM education and help cultivate the next generation of leaders.”
Angela holds an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Agricultural Science from SUNY Cobleskill and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management and a Master of Professional Studies Degrees, both from the College of Agriculture and Life Science at Cornell University.
TRACY DIMEO – Tracy DiMeo serves as the Executive Office Manager at the Griffiss Institute (GI). She initially joined the organization in March 2014 with the role of Operations Coordinator. Throughout her tenure, Tracy has demonstrated versatility and leadership, progressing through various roles within the institute. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of organizational policies and procedures, contributing to the efficient functioning of the institute’s operations.
She has led several key projects, including the oversight of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate’s Internship Program, AFRL’s Local STEM Program, and the Air Force STEM Program. Her advancement to the Executive Leadership level has led her to discover opportunities, such as, the role of Assistant Secretary to the Griffiss Institute Board of Directors, where she continues to make significant contributions to the institute’s strategic direction and governance.
Tracy holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with a concentration of Management and a minor in Communications from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Mohawk Valley (LMV) program through MVCC (Mohawk Valley Community College), which emphasizes leadership in the local community. She has continued her professional development with programs through the Disney Institute which have provided her certificates in Leadership, Employee Engagement and Quality Service.
Outside of the office, Tracy enjoys spending quality time with family. She also loves to travel, take pictures, host family and friends and enjoy the fresh air of being outdoors.
