Watt Center names new associate director of operations and sustainability

CLEMSON – The Watt Family Innovation Center at Clemson University has tapped a seasoned sustainability professional with experience in industry and academia for its executive leadership team.

Mark Krystofik joins the Watt Center as the associate director of operations and sustainability after spending the last six years in various leadership positions at the Rochester Institute for Technology’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability.

“I’m excited to join this team because the Watt Center’s focus on innovation and technology was really appealing to me,” Krystofik said. “Those are areas I have a strong background in, so it felt like a good fit.”

In addition to his time spent in academia, Krystofik has also worked in engineering and manufacturing roles for several companies, including The Advantage Group, Retrotech, Gorbel, AMETEK Power Instruments and Qualitrol. He said these positions honed his technology and operations management skills, giving him a strong foundation for success at the Watt Center.

While he has spent the last several years working in higher education, he said he looks forward to the student-centric nature of his new position and working with the rest of the leadership team at the Watt Center to formulate strategic direction for the center, as well as implementing sustainability initiatives for the space.

“I’m looking forward to working with Mark,” said Todd Marek, executive director of the Watt Center. “He brings significant experience to the Watt Center operations team. His background in manufacturing and sustainability should be valuable to the broader Clemson community and our corporate innovation partners. I anticipate that he will quickly build new connections in these areas.”

Krystofik earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from State University of New York at Fredonia, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from SUNY Buffalo. He holds a Ph.D. in sustainability from RIT.

When he’s not working, Krystofik said he is looking forward to exploring the Upstate and pursuing some of his personal hobbies: biking and playing cards. His wife, a project manager in new product development, will join him in the Upstate soon. The couple has three adult children.

“Everyone here has been extremely welcoming and helpful,” he said. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Clemson Family.”