Announcing the Departure of Dr. John M. Sankovic, President at Ohio Aerospace Institute and Executive Vice President at Parallax Advanced Research
Beavercreek and Brook Park, OH – Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, both affiliated leading nonprofit advanced research institutes dedicated to research and development, technology transfer and transition, and workforce development, announces today the departure of its President of the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) and Executive Vice President of Parallax Advanced Research (Parallax), Dr. John M. Sankovic, effective November 13, 2024, to assume the position of Professor, College of Aeronautics and Engineering, at Kent State University.
Caption: Dr. John M. Sankovic
Dr. Sankovic was selected to lead OAI as its fifth president and CEO in September 2018. During his tenure he strengthened OAI’s business position and reinforced core technical programs. Under his leadership OAI secured over $100 million in federal contracts, including a $17.5 million award from the US Air Force for OAI to continue its over 30 years of pioneering work in fundamental fluid mechanics and a $49 million award to pivot OAI into the digital realm by leading a consortium for the digital transformation of the Department of the Air Force. Dr. Sankovic’s efforts also resulted in over $4.5 millions of State of Ohio funding to directly support hundreds of Ohio’s students in the Ohio Space Grant Consortium. With the increased needs for advanced solutions in the defense sector, OAI saw the benefits for affiliation with Parallax Advanced Research with its deep experience in human-machine teaming and artificial intelligence. With the completion of the affiliation on January 1, 2023, Dr. Sankovic became executive vice president at Parallax, overseeing its technical portfolio. He provided leadership for the integration of the two organizations’ technical offerings now focused on six thrust areas poised to address key national needs.
“As I prepare for my move to academia, I reflect with deep gratitude on my time at OAI and Parallax,” said Dr. Sankovic. “This journey has been profoundly rewarding, and I take great pride in what we have achieved together. I am confident that both organizations are well positioned to lead in innovation and effectively address critical national challenges moving forward.”
In 2023, Parallax and the OAI established a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and nationwide, reaffirming their commitment to their missions. Parallax, which is headquartered in Beavercreek, OH, addresses critical national security and prosperity issues by leveraging resources, expertise, and perspectives from academia, industry, and government to create innovative solutions to complex challenges. OAI, which is in Brook Park, OH, enhances the aerospace industry by fostering collaborations among universities, aerospace companies, and government agencies and manages aerospace research, education, and technology transfer. Through their joint affiliation, Parallax and OAI leverage their unique strengths to enhance Ohio’s defense and aerospace sectors, particularly in the Dayton and Cleveland areas, while leveraging their partnership with NASA Glenn and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and others to foster innovation, accelerate research and development, and drive economic growth across the state.
Caption: Dennis Andersh
With Dr. Sankovic’s departure, the OAI board has appointed Dennis Andersh, president and CEO of Parallax, to also serve as president of OAI, giving him dual responsibilities at both organizations.
“Dr. Sankovic’s leadership has been pivotal in driving our mission forward and fostering innovation at both Parallax and OAI,” said Andersh. “His commitment to collaboration and excellence has established a solid foundation for our future. As the President of OAI, I intend to build upon this foundation to further our goals and enhance our impact.”
Bio of Dr. John Sankovic, Ph.D., M.B.A, P.E.
Dr. John M. Sankovic is a professor in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering at Kent State University. Prior to this role he served as the executive vice president of Parallax Advanced Research and president of Ohio Aerospace Institute, leading the organization’s federal research support, public-private industry consortia, technology-based economic development, and STEM education programs. OAI is a not-for-profit 501(c)3, founded in 1989, with support from the State of Ohio. It is the first NASA associated collaborative institute chartered to foster relationships between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations. Since 2023, OAI has been fully affiliated with Parallax. In his role at Parallax, Dr. Sankovic managed the corporation’s technical portfolio of programs, including those centered on enhancing decision making and performance using human-machine teaming. Dr. Sankovic had a distinguished 31-year career at NASA and was a member of the Federal Senior Executive Service where he most recently served as Glenn Research Center chief technologist and director of the Office of Technology Incubation and Innovation, setting a record for technology transfer and licensing.
He has received numerous awards, including the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, six Agency Honor Group Achievement Awards and an R&D100 technology innovation award. Dr. Sankovic was the inaugural recipient of the NASA/Cleveland Clinic Foundation Biomedical Engineering Fellowship, contributing his knowledge of fluid mechanics to the study of cardiac assist devices. Dr. Sankovic earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from The University of Akron, his MBA degree from Cleveland State University, and his master’s and doctorate degrees in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Sankovic also has a graduate certificate in bioethics from Cleveland State University. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Ohio with unique distinction by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers for highest achievement on both licensure examinations. He holds three U.S. patents. Dr. Sankovic has authored or co-authored more than 70 technical publications on topics ranging from space propulsion and power to fluid mechanics and biomedical sciences.
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About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.