WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) today announced the promotion of Todd E. Gillenwater to Executive Vice President for Advocacy and External Relations. CLSA is the nation’s largest statewide life sciences public policy advocacy and business solutions organization serving over 750 biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies, research universities and institutes, investors and service providers.
As Executive Vice President for Advocacy and External Relations, Gillenwater will have an expanded global policy, advocacy and communications role, overseeing CLSA’s federal, state and local government relations, policy, alliance development and communications activities, with personnel located in CLSA’s South San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Offices.
“For more than a decade, Todd has been at the forefront of working with senior policymakers and industry stakeholders to tell and shape the story of California’s life sciences innovators,” said Sara Radcliffe, President & CEO of CLSA. “This hard earned promotion reflects CLSA’s pledge to providing the highest level advocacy solutions and member representation. I’m extremely grateful to Todd for his dedication to CHI, and know that under CLSA, our broad membership of over 750 life sciences organizations will be well-served with his knowledge, experience and commitment to advancing effective federal, state and local public policies that bolster life sciences research, investment, job creation and innovation.”
CLSA was founded when BayBio and CHI merged earlier this year. Gillenwater joined CHI as Vice President of Public Policy in 2004 and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Public Policy in May 2010. He also served as CHI’s interim President & CEO from Jan. 2014 – Dec. 2014. Prior to joining CHI, Gillenwater was Legislative Director for Congressman David Dreier (R-California). Prior to that, he was an Associate at The Heritage Foundation. Gillenwater holds a master’s degree in management from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Click here to learn more about Gillenwater.
“This is an exciting time for our sector, with advances bringing hope and promise to patients and consumers around the globe,” said Gillenwater. “I look forward to working with our CLSA team, membership and officials in Sacramento, throughout California and in Washington, D.C. to advance policies to ensure that California and the United States continue to be the worldwide leader in life sciences innovation.”
About California Life Sciences Association (CLSA)
California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) is the leading voice for California’s life sciences sector. We work closely with industry, government, academia and other stakeholders to shape public policy, drive business solutions and grow California’s life sciences innovation ecosystem. CLSA serves over 750 biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies, research universities and institutes, investors and service providers. CLSA was founded in 2015 when the Bay Area Bioscience Association (BayBio) and the California Healthcare Institute (CHI) merged to create the state’s most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization. Visit CLSA at www.califesciences.org, and follow us on Twitter @CALifeSciences, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
