Mason Ailstock

Biografía: Passionate about place-based design and the convergence of university/industry relationships, Mason Ailstock has been leading the physical and social development of university research parks and innovation districts for more than 17 years. Mason is a Senior Principal with HR&A Advisors focused on the Innovation District Practice working with universities, government and industry to design, finance, develop and operate mission driven real estate destinations. Previously, Mason served as the Vice President of Operations for The University Financing Foundation (TUFF). TUFF is a private 501(c)3 that partners with institutions around the country in the achievement of their education and research mission through facility investments providing the assets needed to achieve their core goals. An entrepreneur at heart, Mason is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Convergent Consultants. As a Public Benefit Corporation (B-Corp), Convergent is committed to equipping partners around the world with the physical and intellectual resources that advance meaningful change, increase social prosperity, and drive economic growth through education and international public/private partnerships. Prior to joining TUFF, Mason served as the Chief Operating Officer of the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park (RTP) where he led the operational, business development, marketing, real estate, and partnership strategies of the largest high-tech research park in North America. As COO, Mason was responsible for the recruitment and retention of private sector companies, the development of mixed-use projects involving multiple stakeholders, strengthening relationships with economic development leaders, and expanding partnerships with the three founding Tier 1 research universities as well as the 220 companies located within RTP. Mason’s combination of experiences in the areas of planning, green building, architecture, private sector engagement, and real estate allow him to effectively analyze opportunities and deliver clear strategies. Preceding his time at RTP, Mason served as the Global Partner Manager at Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) located in Greenville South Carolina. While in this position, Mason played key roles in the master plan and business development successes of the 250-acre research campus accounting for nearly $250,000,000 in investments, 17 resident companies, 5 LEED facilities, nearly $4,000,000 in competitive federal grants, and over 50 companies supporting sponsored and directed research. Mason received his Bachelors of Science in Architecture & Design, and his Masters in Planning & Real Estate from Clemson University. Mason proudly serves as the President of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a 2016 Eisenhower Fellow (Sweden & Saudi Arabia) and is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI).