President Trump has tapped Walter G. Copan, an El Paso County businessman who helps entrepreneurs cash in on innovation, as undersecretary of commerce for standards and technology, the White House announced this week.

If confirmed, Copan would have the dual role as director of the Boulder-based National Institute of Standards and Technology, which promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness, as well as develops privacy and cybersecurity standards.

Copan is president and CEO of Monument-based IP Engineering Group Corp. He also is a founding board member for Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners, where he serves as director of technology transfer and innovation. RMIP works with entrepreneurs to develop innovation and collaborates with the U.S. Air Force Academy, federal laboratories and other government entities, universities and corporations

“Dr. Walter Copan is an exceptional nominee for this important national science and technology leadership position,” said Dr. Ric Denton, Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners’ CEO, said in a statement. “His vast knowledge and practical experience offers the outstanding qualities needed in the next leader of NIST. Walt has made key contributions to RMIP, as well as to innovation, technology transfer and economic development in Colorado.”

Copan has led organizations in research and development, intellectual property, technology transfer, product development and global commercialization of innovative technologies.

On a long resume, Copan is the former chief technology officer and executive vice president of Clean Diesel Technologies Inc., the managing director of technology commercialization and partnerships at Brookhaven National Laboratory and principal licensing executive for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

He held several leadership positions in a 28-year career with Lubrizol Corp.

“The entire team at RMIP joins with members of the public and private sectors across Colorado andheartily congratulates and supports Dr. Copan in this auspicious and worthy nomination,”stated David Simmons, the advanced technology liaison and business development director at RMIP. “We believe that America will see him as an outstanding choice for NIST.”