BioFlorida elects 12 NEW directors to its board

West Palm Beach, Fla. ( April 27, 2009) — BioFlorida , Florida’s statewide trade association for the bioscience industry, has added 12 new directors to its Board of Directors. The unanimous vote took place on March 30, 2009 at the Annual Member Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport in Orlando. Of the 39 members of the Board, 70% represent research and development companies and institutions.

BioFlorida’s Board of Directors guides the organization in business development, education and workforce, and outreach for the bioscience industry throughout the state. The Board also advocates for the industry by meeting with legislators on both the federal and state level to cultivate a supportive climate for bioscience growth.

“These 12 individuals further enhance our already impressive Board. We’re thankful for their service and look forward to a prosperous year,” said Tom McLain, BioFlorida’s Chairman of the Board and President, Claro Scientific.

This year, BioFlorida will be hosting the Florida Pavilion at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention on May 18-21 in Atlanta, GA.  As ambassadors to Florida's growing biotechnology industry, these directors will be present to showcase the state's advances to an audience of approximately 20,000.

“As the BIO state affiliate, BioFlorida promotes the convention’s mission to ‘Heal, Fuel and Feed The World’,” McLain said.

2009 BioFlorida New Directors

Maggie Dias, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Santiago Galvez, Beckman Coulter

Elizabeth Goodman, Genentech

Claudia Hillinger, Max Planck Florida Institute

Thad Seymour, Lake Nona

Randy Scott, NovaMin

John Spencer, Independent Director

Thomas Stevens, Ernst & Young

Jim Talton, Nanotherapeutics

Daniel Wahby, Eli Lilly and Company

Stephanie Warrington, Xhale

Claudia Zylberberg, AppliChem

These individuals join:

Russell Allen, BioFlorida

Rod Casto, University of South Florida

Bart Chernow, University of Miami

Anne Chinoda, Florida's Blood Centers

Les Croland, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge

David Day, University of Florida

Stephanie Finnegan, Goodwin Biotechnology

Richard Hall, ACC Hall International

Richard Houghten, Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies

Patrick Kay, Alexandria Real Estate Equities

Ken Kirby, TransDermal Technologies

Gary Margules, Nova Southeastern University

Tom McLain, Claro Scientific

Jim Mulé, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

Tom O'Neal, University of Central Florida

Mike Nicoletta, Medtronic

Harry Orf, Scripps Florida

Gregory Nelson, Novak Druce & Quigg

James Patrick, National Healing Corporation

Mel Rothberg, Dharma Biomedical

David Saliwanchik, Saliwanchik Lloyd & Saliwanchik

Jack Sullivan, Florida Research Consortium

Claire Thuning-Roberson, Altor Bioscience

Susan Washer, Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation

Michael Wasserman, H.I.G. Ventures

Brenda Workman, Enterprise Florida

Art Wotiz, NovaBone

Through the leadership of BioFlorida’s Board of Directors and full membership, Florida has become one of the most competitive bioscience states in the nation. In 2007 and 2008, Fierce Biotechnology ranked Florida as one of the top five regions worldwide for attracting biotechnology companies.

About BioFlorida

BioFlorida is Florida’s statewide trade association for the bioscience industry providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 200 member companies. Our mission is to be the voice of the bioscience industry and the advocate for our member organizations. Bringing knowledge and resources to Florida’s bioscience community, BioFlorida supports the health, agricultural and energy sectors of biotechnology as well as the pharmaceutical and medical technology fields.

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