Dennis Lower has been involved in technology-based economic development since 1995, with a focus on the planning and development of university-sponsored urban innovation districts.

Since May 2024, Mr. Lower has been the President and CEO of the Cortex Innovation Community in midtown St. Louis, Missouri. The mission of Cortex is to leverage university research and regional corporate technology assets to establish St. Louis as a nationally and internationally recognized bioscience and technology hub.  Cortex is the St. Louis regional epicenter of innovation and entrepreneurship.

From 1998 to April 2024, Mr. Lower served as Vice President of Planning & Development for the Biomedical Research Foundation and Director of InterTech Science Park in Shreveport, Louisiana.  Prior to Louisiana, Mr. Lower served as the Executive Director of University Heights Science Park in Newark, New Jersey, the Acting Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in Atlantic City, and the Founder and Executive Director of the National Shared Housing Resource Center in Philadelphia.

Mr. Lower serves on the boards of the St. Louis PBS Nine Network, the St. Louis Construction Loan Fund, St. Louis Makes and the St. Louis Public School’s Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience.