EERC's intellectual property head receives licensing professional certification Carsten Heide, associate director for Intellectual Property Management and Technology Commercialization at the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), earned his Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) certification from the Licensing Executives Society (LES). The LES, established in 1965, is a professional society with more than 6,000 members engaged in the development, use, transfer, marketing, and management of intellectual property (IP). The LES just recently launched the CLP program. The CLP certification is a professional title intended to distinguish those who have demonstrated expertise and knowledge in licensing and commercialization of IP through involvement in patenting, marketing, valuation, IP law, negotiation, and intellectual asset management. At the EERC, Heide is responsible for developing and enhancing strategic collaborative relationships with EERC clients, identifying relevant IP from the EERC and transferring it to the EERC Foundation, commercializing EERC/EERC Foundation technologies, and leading long-term strategic planning based on EERC technology assets in the context of global market forces. “This certification is recognition from a very prestigious organization approving Dr. Heide’s expertise in intellectual property and commercialization and brings ever-important credibility to the EERC’s technology commercialization goals,” said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold.