The University of North Texas is leading an initiative to grow a sustainable, business accelerator platform throughout the North Texas region, thanks to new leadership for UNT’s Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Jon McCarry, a UNT alumnus with a wide breadth of experience in private equity, was tapped as the senior director for the center housed in UNT’s College of Business.  

"The North Texas region offers so much for industry, and as a Tier One research university, UNT is best positioned to be a resource where great ideas can find a partner ready to co-navigate a path toward success," said Marilyn Wiley, dean of UNT’s College of Business – one of the nation’s largest business schools and home to numerous top-ranked programs such as logistics and supply chain and an online M.B.A. "Jon McCarry's expertise is exactly what our region needs, and I’m thrilled to welcome him to UNT. His exceptional experience will help UNT continue to contribute to the economic vitality of the region, while ensuring UNT’s students have additional hands-on learning opportunities."

Under his leadership, McCarry will spearhead the Murphy Center's efforts to spur entrepreneurial creativity on campus and in surrounding communities.

In the coming months, McCarry plans to make the center a go-to resource for businesses, as well as UNT students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“I’d like to see the Murphy Center become a leading resource for the North Texas region – partnering with a range of ventures, from innovative ideas to early stage growth companies, while also building bridges with the investor community at large,” McCarry said. “If we’re doing our job correctly, new opportunities are blooming in concert with a vibrant environment. We want our innovative companies to keep their roots in the North Texas region and inspire others.”

The Murphy Enterprise Center was established in 1999 thanks to a $1 million gift from Ken and Shirley Murphy, and it was renamed the Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship in 2009.

About Jon McCarry

McCarry has worked in private equity for more than 15 years. Currently, he is senior director of the Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of North Texas, leading an initiative to grow a sustainable venture and start-up platform throughout the North Texas region. Prior to his current role, McCarry advised a number of institutional investors and funds throughout the Asia Pacific region. He worked as a senior group internal auditor at Nestlé, where he conducted operational and financial audits across three continents and ten countries. Prior to this position, he managed a venture capital portfolio in a Hong Kong UHNW family office and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has held board memberships and served in various committees, including the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute.

McCarry holds Series 7 & 63 licenses. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics at the University of North Texas, an M.B.A. from Vlerick Management School in Belgium and he completed the Oxford University – Peking University joint Private Equity Programme in China.