BioFlorida Institute Elects Founding Board of Directors and Announces Initial Programs

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The BioFlorida Institute, a not-for-profit foundation focused on education, professional development and bioscience industry resources, has announced its founding Board of Directors, which includes some of the state’s leading figures in science, education, finance and law.

“Attracting more top-level researchers and research organizations to the state and improving math and science education programs at all levels allows our students not only to benefit from the best minds in scientific research, but also offers them the potential for high-paying jobs in the sciences when they graduate.”

“Our founding board members have an astonishing depth of experience and expertise, and are highly committed professionals dedicated to education improvements and the growth of biosciences in Florida,” said interim Institute chair and vice president of scientific operations for Scripps Florida, Dr. Harry Orf. “With our directors, we have the tools we need to enhance the educational and business climates for this high ‘return-on-investment’ industry; one that has enormous potential for advancing our state through job creation, business attraction and talent retention.”

Frank Brogan, chancellor of the State University System of Florida, and former Governor Jeb Bush will also assist the Institute in an advisory capacity, particularly in regard to the education-related aspects of its work.

“The BioFlorida Institute’s mission represents a great synergy with our state’s higher education system,” Brogan said. “Attracting more top-level researchers and research organizations to the state and improving math and science education programs at all levels allows our students not only to benefit from the best minds in scientific research, but also offers them the potential for high-paying jobs in the sciences when they graduate.”

Governor Bush, whose administrations took a lead role in developing the state’s bioscience industry, also expressed his support. “Education reform, both within our state and throughout the country, is of critical importance. The BioFlorida Institute’s mission to improve our state’s science and math education programs aligns with the priorities of my organizations, the Foundation for Florida’s Future and Foundation for Excellence in Education, and I am pleased to support their efforts,” Bush said.

The Institute was launched by BioFlorida, the statewide bioscience industry trade association that represents more than 200 member companies and research organizations in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device fields. The Institute’s top priorities include fostering better math and science education programs in Florida; providing industry-specific workforce training to help create high-paying bioscience jobs within the state; supporting entrepreneurs and scientists who want to bring their concept to the marketplace; and researching trends and developments in Florida’s bioscience industry to benchmark its progress.

The Institute works in partnership with BioFlorida to promote educational initiatives such as the recent Florida BioGENEius Challenge. The statewide science competition for high school students is a stepping stone to the Biotechnology Institute’s International BioGENEius Challenge, the most prestigious high school science competition in the world for original research in biotechnology. Other current and planned initiatives include support for the workforce training programs at the BANNER Center for Life Sciences, industry-supported continuing education certifications, and middle and high school curriculum assistance.

The Institute collaborated with the University of Florida’s Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology (UF-CERHB) to launch a biotechnology resource website designed to connect industry professionals with students and educators. The site includes comprehensive listings of education and training programs, news related to those programs and bioscience career resources. The site can be found at www.floridabiotechtraining.org or www.biofloridainstitute.org.

Elected to the BioFlorida Institute Board of Directors for 2011-2012 are:

Interim Executive Director, Russell Allen is president and CEO of BioFlorida. He directs programs and initiatives that contribute to the positioning of Florida as one of the world’s leading locations for bioscience research and development. Major responsibilities include strategic development and issue management related to capital formation, public policy, workforce development, education and commercialization. Allen’s previous roles in support and growth of the bioscience industry include President and CEO of BioSouth, a regional global partnering organization and Vice President of Biosciences for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Prior to these roles, Allen was CEO of the life science marketing agency, BioQuotient and CEO of one of the nation’s leading interactive development firms, Newton Park.

Secretary, Leslie Croland is a partner at the national law firm of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP where he practices in the areas of private equity financings, emerging companies, mergers and acquisitions, securities and general corporate law. He is also the co-chair of the firm’s Life Sciences Practice Group. He speaks regularly to members of biotech and public corporation associations at conferences and seminars on a variety of topics, including corporate governance and financing techniques for technology companies. He has also served as a senior attorney with the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance in Washington, D.C.

Interim Chair, Harry Orf, Ph.D., is the vice president for scientific operations and a professor of chemistry at Scripps Florida. Prior to his appointment with Scripps, Dr. Orf served as director of the Molecular Biology Laboratories at Massachusetts General Hospital and as a principal associate in genetics at Harvard Medical School. Over the course of his 15-year tenure there, he developed numerous science programs and initiatives for Boston Public Schools and, in 1997, was given the American Hero Award by the U.S. Dept. of Education for his work with the Boston public school system.

Susan Pareigis is the president and CEO of the Florida Council of 100, a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization of business leaders, which exists to promote the economic growth of Florida and improve the economic well-being and quality of life of its citizenry. Formed in 1961, the Council was the first of its kind in the U.S., and works with the governor and the state agencies, the legislature, the judicial branch and other private organizations, to develop public policy and promote business climate competitiveness for the state. From 2002 to 2006, Ms. Pareigis served as the director of Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation, which administers the state’s workforce development and early learning programs. She has also served as the president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Collier County.

Ken Pruitt is the elected Property Appraiser in St. Lucie County. From 2006 to 2008, he served as president of the Florida Senate. He was appointed as chairman of the Florida House of Representatives Appropriations Committee from 1998-2000 and of the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee from 2002-2004. Pruitt resides in Port St. Lucie with his wife Aileen, they are the parents of Steven (23), Ashley (21), Michelle (20) and Mark (17).

Education Committee Chair, Richard O. Snyder, Ph.D., is the director of biotherapeutic programs and director of the Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology at the University of Florida. He is also a tenured faculty member in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and a joint faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine. Dr. Snyder has been investigating adeno-associated virus (AAV) biology, vector development and AAV-mediated gene transfer for nearly 25 years, and has authored more than 50 publications and seven U.S. patents describing virus biology, gene transfer, and viral vector development and manufacturing.

Treasurer, John (“Jack”) N. Spencer, Jr., CPA retired as a partner after a 38-year career at Ernst & Young LLP. Prior to his retirement, he served for many years as the partner in charge of the Life Sciences Industry Practice in the Southeast. Today, he serves on the boards of three life sciences companies, chairing two audit committees and serving on two compensation committees. He provides a variety of financial-related consulting services to several other companies. He is the co-founder and former president of Georgia Bio; he also co-founded the Atlanta Venture Forum and the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia.

Tony Waldrop, Ph.D., is the provost and vice president for academic affairs as well as a professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Central Florida. In this position, he serves as the university’s second-highest ranking officer and provides academic leadership for its 12 colleges, multiple campuses, and research centers and institutes. Previously, he was the vice chancellor for research and economic development and a professor of cell and molecular physiology at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has also served as the vice chancellor for research at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

John Winn began his 35-year career in education as an elementary and middle school teacher. He served in several capacities within the Florida Department of Education before being appointed commissioner of education in 2004. He also served as Governor Bush’s education policy coordinator with responsibility for drafting and directing the governor’s education budget recommendations and legislative initiatives. After retiring from the Dept. of Education, he joined the non-profit National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) as chief program officer. He has since returned to the Dept. of Education where he coordinated the massive restructuring of the Florida School Code.

About the BioFlorida Institute

The Institute was launched in 2010 as an initiative of BioFlorida, the statewide not-for-profit bioscience industry association, which represents the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The Institute works in partnership with BioFlorida to create programs to improve science education and support bioscience entrepreneurs and scientists throughout the state. It also provides industry-specific workforce training to help create high-paying biotechnology jobs in Florida and researches trends and developments in the state’s bioscience industry to benchmark its progress. For more information, visit www.biofloridainstitute.org.