Faculty Directory
JS

James Sonnett

Professor
Unit: School of Engineering and Applied Science
Department: Department of Chemical Engineering
Office location and address
385 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
Education
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware
M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia
Biography

Jim Sonnett is an entrepreneur and former corporate executive.  He has led teams and organizations that developed new offerings for markets as diverse as high temperature nanomaterials and vaccines.

Jim is currently on leave from his role as a Managing Partner in Redwood Innovation.  Redwood, founded in 2013, is a global consulting firm dedicated to accelerating innovation in several high growth markets.  He has co-taught several innovation / new business courses in Ohio State’s Fisher school of business and Introduction to Engineering at CristoRey Columbus High School.

Jim is formerly Vice President, Science and Technology, at Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio.  Battelle is the world’s largest independent R&D organization.  Prior to Battelle, Jim had a 19 year career in industry.  He led new business, new product development and technology commercialization organizations at DuPont and W. L. Gore (makers of Gore-Tex®).  

Recent courses as listed in the Student Information System (SIS) Course Catalog:
ENGR 4880: Business and Technical Leadership in Engineering
Credits: 3
This course on Business and Technological Leadership is normally taught by a senior level corporate executive with broad experience who serves as the Brenton S. Halsey Distinguished Visiting Professor of Chemical Engineering and Related Disciplines. The instructor provides experienced insight on business and professional issues likely to be faced by engineers early in their careers. The course normally covers major business skills and competencies in career management, leadership, working in teams, problem solving, and change management as well as international issues facing global companies. Guest speakers will provide additional insights on theses topics.

2022 Brenton S. Halsey Distinguished Visiting Professor