Jim Rinaldi Appointed as the New Executive Director

Jim Rinaldi Appointed as the New Executive Director

After many months of searching and deliberation, the Innovate@UCLA Executive Board is extremely happy to announce the selection of Jim Rinaldi as our next Executive Director, effective immediately. Jim brings to the position a wealth of experience as a technology executive across both public and private sector organisations. 

Jim served most recently as CIO for over 14 years at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  Prior to JPL Jim served as CIO for the Food & Drug Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, as well holding senior technology positions at Marriott International. Currently, Jim remains with JPL as their Chief Technology Advisor, acting as a liaison with government organisations, and consulting with internal JPL organisations on the development of roadmaps and policy recommendations.  

He is also serving on the Executive Committee of the Avasant Distinguished Fellows Program. Jim is widely known and respected among the Southern California tech community.  He brings an awareness and an appreciation of our organisation to the role, having served as our Executive Board Chair from 2017-2019.  We are truly fortunate to have Jim stepping into the role at this time.