The Don Ryan Center for Innovation board of directors has hired Jordan Berliner of Arlington, Va., as its first director.

The center, set to open May 3, is the result of a partnership between Clemson University, the town of Bluffton and CareCore National. It was created to bring new technology-based businesses to the area and help entrepreneurs get started.

Berliner has been running his consulting firm in the Washington, D.C., area. Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka said he will start March 19.