Aric H. Bopp, CEcD

Executive Director / Discovery Oasis at Mayo Clinic, Arizona

Aric Bopp is the Executive Director for Discovery Oasis at Mayo Clinic, Arizona. Discovery Oasis (www.discoveryoasis.com) is an expansive 120-acre development in Phoenix, adjacent to world-renowned Mayo Clinic, envisioned as a biotechnology corridor of collaboration to advance groundbreaking solutions to humanity’s most complex medical challenges.

Discovery Oasis creates an ecosystem of biomedical innovation among a community of established and early stage biotechnology companies, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, and medical practitioners who are leading the transformation of healthcare. With an ideal climate, location and economic development infrastructure, Discovery Oasis is an exceptional co-location opportunity for companies with biomedicine, health sciences, medical technologies, big data, and computational focus.

Aric Bopp previously led the economic development and innovation zone efforts of ASU Knowledge Enterprise, with a specific focus on development of the NOVUS Innovation Corridor and the seven ASU Innovation Zones. In his role, he helped make Arizona more economically competitive and promote the assets available at ASU to the private sector.

He worked closely with the Arizona Commerce Authority, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, brokerage and real estate community, and local economic developers. Internal to ASU, he also worked with ASU Corporate Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Career Development and Professional Services, Office of Government and Community Engagement, and the University Real Estate Office.

Before his work with ASU, Bopp served as the deputy director of strategic initiatives for the city of Mesa, where he focused on development of the Mesa Gateway area. He also served as the program manager for the city of Phoenix, where he directed and implemented projects that support the city’s commercial, office and industrial development. Prior to moving to Arizona in 2015, Bopp was the executive director for Virginia’s New River Valley Economic Development Alliance.

Bopp has served on a variety of economic development boards and organizations throughout the years, including the Arizona Technology Council, Queen Creek Economic Development Commission, and the Chandler Economic Development Advisory Board. He also volunteers with the community in several capacities, including coaching Little League Softball. He was named as one of the Top 20 Leaders Under 40 in 2007 by the Blue Ridge Business Journal and the 2011 Business Executive of the Year by the Pulaski County (VA) Chamber of Commerce.

Bopp earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Johns Hopkins University, attended graduate school in economics at the University of Virginia and received his certified economic developer certification (CEcD) in 2014 through the International Economic Development Council.