Longtime South Coast technology executive Dave Adornetto has been picked to lead UC Santa Barbara’s successful startup contest.

The entrepreneurship program is the largest collegiate business-pitch contest in the region and is part of UCSB’s Technology Management Program. The flagship event of the entrepreneurship program, the annual New Venture Competition, is a major on-campus happening. Past winners include Goleta-based oxygen-tank maker Inogen, which is now a publicly traded company with a market capitalization of $383 million.

Adornetto, who takes the position effective Sept. 23, held a number of leadership roles at medical-device maker Mentor Corp. between 1992 and 2006, UCSB said, including as vice president of finance and executive vice president of operations. During his tenure, Mentor Corp.’s revenue grew from $30 million to $500 million. He then joined medical robotics firm InTouch Technologies in 2006, and has served as its chief financial officer, executive vice president of operations and then chief operating officer.

“All of us in TMP are thrilled to have Dave join the team,” TMP Chair Bob York said in an emailed announcement. “He brings a strong vision and great energy and enthusiasm to the position, and I’m sure he will be reaching out soon to many of our TMP friends, mentors and supporters as we start to gear up for the new academic year.”

Adornetto received a bachelor’s degree in business economics from UCSB and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. For the past three years, he has taught a graduate course in entrepreneurial finance at UCSB, the university said.

The entrepreneurial programs manager position became vacant when Mike Panesis joined the faculty of the management school at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. Panesis also heads CLU’s new Huddle Campus incubator in Westlake Village.