Restek founder to serve as entrepreneur in residence

Students looking to learn how to start their own businesses will get a little help from this year’s entrepreneur in residence, Restek founder Paul Silvas. Silvas will appear March 28 to 30 as part of a program that brings successful entrepreneurs to Penn State's University Park campus. Silvas’ three-day visit will include participating in a number of classes in the College of Engineering’s entrepreneurship minor.

The visit is the second in the E.V. Bishoff Engineering Entrepreneur in Residence Program, which is designed to bring successful engineering entrepreneurs to Penn State for extended interactions with faculty and students. The entrepreneur in residence co-teaches courses; works with student teams to develop a better understanding of today’s marketplace skills; serves as a speaker for professional development seminars; and meets with students to discuss keys to successful ventures. In addition to the entrepreneurs in residence, the program also features forums, competitions and panels relating to entrepreneurship throughout the year.

Silvas will work with more than a half dozen entrepreneurship classes, recounting his experience in starting Restek and discussing students’ proposed business plans.
Restek was founded in 1985 outside of State College and specializes in gas and liquid chromatography columns and supplies. Since its creation, Restek has grown to $36 million in annual sales with offices and distribution centers in more than 60 countries.

The entrepreneur in residence program is named for and underwritten by E.V. Bishoff, chairman of a Columbus, Ohio-based, real-estate firm that also bears his name. Bishoff attended Penn State’s chemical engineering program from 1941 to 1943.