Federal Laboratory Consortium Names Paige George Executive Director

Released: May 27, 2026

(WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 27, 2026): The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) and AUTM have hired longtime federal technology transfer professional Paige George to be the FLC's next Executive Director. George leaves her position as the Technology Transfer Manager at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), where she built the laboratory's technology transfer office from the ground up, establishing the lab's first-ever full time Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) in the Chief Technology Office. In addition to that role, George served as the STEM Outreach Program Manager and the Education Partnership Program Manager with NSWC PCD.

She will succeed Paul Zielinski, who is retiring after serving as the FLC Executive Director since 2020. During his tenure, Zielinski modernized the FLC's digital infrastructure, expanded professional development through a structured learning system and mentorship program, and led the FLC National Meeting to record attendance. George brings more than a decade of experience in federal technology transfer and leadership to the FLC, including significant involvement as a volunteer with the organization. George has served as the Southeast Regional Coordinator for the FLC and, most recently, Chair of the Facilitate Committee. She attended her first FLC National Meeting in 2015, which she credits with driving home the importance of technology transfer to national security and the U.S. economy.

"I am thrilled to welcome Paige as the next Executive Director of the FLC," said Zielinski. "This is a position that demands intelligence, integrity, and federal technology transfer know-how - all qualities in which Paige excels. I can't wait to see where she takes this community and what the next chapter holds for the FLC staff, member laboratories, and agencies under her leadership."

George graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Florida and began working at NSWC PCD in the Diving and Life Support Division, where she supported the design, testing, and transition of various diving systems supporting the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and first responders. She later earned a master's degree in STEM Leadership and Education from the American College of Education. As the FLC's Executive Director, George will manage the organization's operations in tandem with the strategic direction of the FLC Executive Board. She steps into the role two years after AUTM - the global leader in academic technology transfer, whose 3,000 members work in more than 800 universities, research centers, hospitals, businesses, and government organizations - was awarded a five-year cooperative agreement to extend its collaboration with the FLC under the Accelerating Federal Technology Transfer Program. This partnership, running through 2029, is designed to promote technology transfer from federal laboratories to the private sector and academia, contributing to economic prosperity and national security. George will play a central role in advancing that mission.

"Paige brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to lead the FLC forward as its next Executive Director," said AUTM CEO Steve Susalka. "Her adeptness in federal technology transfer, dedication to the FLC mission, and leadership of the Facilitate Committee headlined a skill set that was an obvious fit for this critical role. We are excited to have Paige on board as the FLC's new leader to further build on Paul's legacy."

"I am honored to begin the Executive Director position at the FLC," said George. "I look forward to leading the FLC staff, many of whom I have worked with closely over the years, into the next chapter of our journey to progress technology transfer and commercialization for the benefit of the American taxpayer." George will assume her new role with the FLC on June 22, 2026.

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About the FLC:

The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is a formally chartered, nationwide network of more than 300 federal laboratories, agencies, and research centers that foster commercialization, best practice strategies, and opportunities for accelerating federal technologies from out of the labs and into the marketplace. To learn more, visit https://www.federallabs.org.

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