State Biotechnology Association Appoints New Board Members, Staff

MADISON, Wis., March 13, 2008 – The Wisconsin Biotechnology and Medical Device Association, the member organization that represents the state’s bioscience industry, today announced the election of five new members to its board of directors.  Each will serve a three-year term that began on Jan. 1, 2008.


 


The new WBMA board members are:


 


·        Jeanine Burmania.  Ms. Burmania is a licensing associate at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation in Madison.


·        Deven McGlenn.  Mr. McGlenn is chief executive of NeoClone, a Madison-based producer of monoclonal antibodies used in drug discovery and diagnostics. 


·        Frederic Pla.  Dr. Pla is vice president and general manager of Invitrogen’s Transplant Diagnostics business unit, which is based in Milwaukee.


·        Eric Stahre.  Mr. Stahre is general manager of Premium Computed Tomography, a $1-billion global segment within Waukesha-based GE Healthcare’s Diagnostic Imaging business.


·        Colin Scanes.  Dr. Scanes is the vice chancellor for research and economic development and dean of the graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.


   


“We are delighted to welcome five outstanding additions to the WBMA’s board of directors,” said James L. Leonhart, executive director of the WBMA.  “As the state’s bioscience industry continues to grow, so has the depth and diversity of experience on its member association’s board.  We are grateful for our new directors’ willingness to serve.  We look forward to engaging them in the many excellent WBMA programs that serve our members and advocate for our industry.”


 


The WBMA also announced the appointment of two new staff members.  These appointments complete the association’s transition to a free-standing, independent organization.  Karen Dettinger, Ph.D., has been named the association’s operations director.  Dr. Dettinger has more than 20 years of experience in organizational and leadership development.  Prior to joining the WBMA, she worked as an independent consultant and was a partner and managing director at Affiliated Engineers Inc. in Madison.  Krystal Sanchez has been appointed the administrative assistant of the WBMA. Ms. Sanchez earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing at Edgewood College before serving Thermo Fisher in a number of marketing support functions and as assistant to the director of advancement at Edgewood College.


 


“The WBMA is pleased to welcome Karen and Krystal to our staff,” Mr. Leonhart said.  “Their experience and expertise are critical to our successful execution of the association’s goals for 2008 and beyond.”