Dr. Odegard brings more than 30 years of experience advancing innovation ecosystems, academic partnerships, and technology-driven economic development. He is the founder of 62x Ventures and Sr. Advisor to LeVass Ventures. Known for translating institutional goals into operational reality, Jan specializes in designing programs, partnerships, and talent pathways that support founders, activate innovation districts, and create measurable impact. His career blends university leadership, industry engagement, and ecosystem building, positioning him as a trusted guide for clients navigating complex, high-stakes environments. Jan's background spans decades of leadership at Rice University, where he concurrently served as Executive Director of the Ken Kennedy Institute and Associate Vice President for Research Computing, championing computational science and engineering, high-performance computing, and AI, before going on to serve as Executive Director of the Ion. At the Ion, he led a team of professionals that transformed the district into Houston's recognized headquarters for innovation and a nationally recognized platform for inclusive innovation, driving academic-corporate partnerships, startup programming, workforce initiatives, and community activation. Jan has advised universities, civic organizations, and research institutions across the country on innovation strategy, ecosystem design, and technology translation. Beyond his advisory work, Jan mentor founders, investors, and emerging leaders. A recipient of national and institutional awards for innovation leadership, he is widely recognized for shaping collaborative environments where ideas, talent, and enterprise converge. Jan holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rice University, with additional degrees from Texas A&M University and Telemark College of Engineering.