Pharma POOL Dr. Alan Colowick Threshold Pharmaceuticals Appoints Chief Medical Officer Threshold Pharmaceuticals has named Alan Colowick, M.D., chief medical officer. Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Redwood City, Calif., is focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of small-molecule therapeutics based on Metabolic Targeting technology. Dr. Colowick most recently was VP of European medical affairs at Amgen, where he managed a regional, cross-functional medical affairs organization with responsibilities for therapeutic areas. Dr. Colowick received his M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine and his M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his subspecialty training in hematology and oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Thomas P. Koestler Dr. James S. MacDonald Dr. Jean-Louis Saillot Schering-Plough Announces Executive Changes in R&D Schering-Plough has announced several changes within its research and development operations. Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, N.J., is a global science-based healthcare company with leading prescription, consumer, and animal-health products. Thomas P. Koestler, Ph.D., has been appointed executive VP, global development, at Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI). Before joining Schering-Plough in 2003 as executive VP global, regulatory affairs and global project management, Dr. Koestler was senior VP, global regulatory affairs, at Pharmacia. James S. MacDonald, Ph.D., has been appointed executive VP, preclinical development, at SPRI. In this new role, Dr. MacDonald continues to have direct responsibility for the drug safety, and metabolism group. Dr. MacDonald joined Schering-Plough in 1994 as senior VP, drug, safety and metabolism. Before this, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Merck. Both Dr. Koestler and Dr. MacDonald report to Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D., senior VP and president of SPRI, and continue as members of the Operations Management Team. In addition, Schering-Plough has appointed Jean-Louis Saillot, M.D., VP, head of global pharmacovigilance. In this role, Dr. Saillot has global responsibility for all pharmacovigilance. Dr. Saillot, who has been with the company since 1992, most recently served as VP, clinical quality and compliance, medical and safety services. Dr. Saillot holds a M.D. from the University of Paris XI. He is based in Kenilworth, N.J. Christine A. Poon Vice Chairman of Johnson & Johnson Appointed Christine A. Poon, worldwide chairman, medicines and nutritionals, and a member of the executive committee, has been appointed a vice chairman of Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, N.J. With this appointment, Ms. Poon becomes a member of the office of the chairman, joining William C. Weldon, chairman and CEO, and Robert J. Darretta, vice chairman and chief financial officer. Ms. Poon continues to have management responsibility for all pharmaceutical, consumer pharmaceutical, and nutritional businesses. Ms. Poon was appointed worldwide chairman, medicines and nutritionals in 2003. Previously she served as worldwide chairman, pharmaceuticals, a position she assumed in 2001. A graduate of Northwestern University with a B.A. in biology, Ms. Poon acquired a M.S. in biology and biochemistry from St. Louis University and a MBA in finance from Boston University. Ms. Poon is the 2004 Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Woman of the Year and is a member of the advisory board of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association. In addition, Ms. Poon serves on the board of directors of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Michael Seckler Ferring Names National Sales Director Michael Seckler has been appointed national sales director at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Suffern, N.Y., which is a part of the Ferring Group, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company that specializes in infertility. Mr. Seckler joined Ferring in February 2003 as district manager, eastern states. In this new role, he is responsible for implementing the sales strategy for Ferring’s product line. Before joining Ferring, Mr. Seckler was a specialty district manager for Pharmacia. Dr. Gabriele Sonnenberg Dr. Michael Sumner Dr. Maida Taylor Novo Nordisk Appoints Three Clinicians to its U.S. Medical Team Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care, has appointed three key medical and clinical affairs personnel in its U.S. headquarters in Princeton, N.J. Gabriele Sonnenberg, M.D., has been named as director of clinical research in diabetes. Dr. Sonnenberg provides regional medical input on global clinical development, currently focusing on inhaled insulin. She joins Novo Nordisk from the faculty at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where she directed the Diabetes Care Center and the National General Clinical Research Center and was a professor of medicine in the division of endocrinology, metabolism, and clinical research. Dr. Sonnenberg received her medical doctorate from the University of Bonn Medical College. Michael Sumner, M.D., has joined Novo Nordisk as senior director of clinical affairs in biopharmaceuticals. He is responsible for driving development of the medical liaison function and for supporting key opinion leader programs and clinical trials in hemostasis management and human growth hormone therapy. Before joining Novo Nordisk, Dr. Sumner worked as senior medical director for North America sales and marketing at Aventis Behring. Dr. Sumner holds a master of business administration from Henley Management College in the United Kingdom, and he received his medical degree from the University of London. He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians. In other company news, Maida Taylor, M.D., MPH, has been named clinical director of medical affairs in women’s health products. Dr. Taylor designs clinical trials for women’s health products. Additionally, she supports and oversees the approval and marketing of those products. Most recently, Dr. Taylor served as medical advisor for Lilly in the department of women’s health and reproductive medicine. Dr. Taylor received her doctor of medicine from the Stanford University School of Medicine, a master of public health in health education from the University of California-Berkeley School of Public Health, and a bachelor of science from Jackson College at Tufts University. Joseph Zakrzewski Reliant Pharmaceuticals Strengthens Senior Management Team Reliant Pharmaceuticals has appointed Joseph Zakrzewski as chief operating officer. Reliant, Liberty Corner, N.J., has integrated sales, marketing, and development expertise focused on selling pharmaceutical products to high-prescribing primary-care physicians, as well as to select specialists. Mr. Zakrzewski has more 17 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His primary focus is on the day-to-day operations. Additionally, Mr. Zakrzewski is working to enhance the pharmaceutical company’s operational efficiencies, including strengthening the company’s supply-chain and distribution capabilities given the anticipated launches of the company’s recently approved products. Mr. Zakrzewski spent more than 17 years with Eli Lilly in a variety of capacities. He received a B.S. in chemical engineering and a M.S. in biochemical engineering from Drexel University. Mr. Zakrzewski received a MBA in finance from Indiana University. Biotech POOL Dr. Raymond T. Bartus Dr. Mehdi Gasmi Ceregene Announces Promotions Ceregene has promoted Raymond T. Bartus, Ph.D., to senior VP and chief operating officer. Ceregene, a San Diego-based biotechnology company, is focused on the development of gene therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Bartus previously held the position of VP for research and development within the company. Before joining Ceregene in December 2002 as VP for research and development, he served for 10 years as senior VP for preclinical research and development at Alkermes. Dr. Bartus has more than 30 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. In addition, Mehdi Gasmi, Ph.D., has been promoted to the position of director, product development. James Bruce Sciona Appoints CEO Sciona, an international biotechnology company that specializes in genetic personalization, has named James (Jim) Bruce as CEO. This appointment coincides with the company’s relocation of it headquarters from the United Kingdom to Boulder, Colo. Mr. Bruce has extensive experience in the health and pharmaceutical industries, most recently serving as president and CEO of Madous. Sciona’s former CEO, Dr. Chris Martin, is now the company’s chairman of the board. He continues to reside in the United Kingdom. William Caldwell IV Dr. Michael West Advanced Cell Technology Appoints CEO and Chairman, President, and Chief Scientific Officer Advanced Cell Technology, Worcester, Mass., a biotechnology company focused on discovering and commercializing advances in stem-cell technology for application in regenerative medicine, has appointed William Caldwell IV as CEO and Michael West, Ph.D., as chairman, president, and chief scientific officer of the company. Mr. Caldwell brings more than 30 years of management expertise to Advanced Cell Technology and has worked with emerging technology companies, public companies, and corporate restructurings. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Southern California and was a multinational enterprise fellow at the Wharton School of Finance. Dr. West is widely regarded as one of the leaders and founders of the field of regenerative medicine and stem-cell research and has extensive academic and business experience in age-related degenerative diseases, telomerase molecular biology, and human embryonic stem-cell research and development. From 1999 to present, Dr. West served as chairman and CEO of Advanced Cell Technology and has led its research effort in human stem cells. He received a B.S. degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a M.S. degree in biology from Andrews University, and a Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Roger Echols Replidyne Names Chief Medical Officer Replidyne, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of new anti-infective drugs, has appointed Roger Echols, M.D., as chief medical officer. Dr. Echols has joined Replidyne, Louisville, Colo., from Bristol-Myers Squibb where, for the past eight years, he served as VP, infectious diseases, clinical research and development. Dr. Echols received his B.A. from Yale and his M.D. from Tufts University. Dr. David M. Floyd Pharmacopeia Appoints Executive VP, Discovery, and Chief Scientific Officer Pharmacopeia Drug Discovery has appointed David M. Floyd, Ph.D., as executive VP of discovery and chief scientific officer. Pharmacopeia, Princeton, N.J., is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the creation of new small-molecule therapeutics for significant unmet medical needs. Dr. Floyd is responsible for all aspects of Pharmacopeia’s science and leads Pharmacopeia’s drug-discovery efforts. For the past 25 years he was involved in Bristol-Myers Squibb’s small-molecule drug-discovery efforts, most recently as VP of discovery chemistry. Dr. Floyd graduated from the University of Michigan, where he received his doctorate, followed by a NIH postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. Dr. Michael J. Gast Genaera Appoints Chief Medical Officer Genaera, a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing medicines for serious diseases from genomics and natural products, has appointed Michael J. Gast, M.D., Ph.D., as executive VP and chief medical officer. Dr. Gast leads all clinical-research activities, including continued clinical development and planning for commercialization of squalamine for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration as well as the company’s other clinical-development programs. Before joining Genaera, Plymouth Meeting, Pa., Dr. Gast spent 10 years at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, most recently serving as VP, scientific affairs, within Wyeth global medical affairs. Dr. Gast received his M.D. from Ohio State University College of Medicine and his Ph.D. in molecular biology from Washington University. He currently holds adjunct faculty appointments at the Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Roger Vogel, who has served as a consultant and acting chief medical officer, continues to advise the company as a consultant in the development of Genaera’s AMD program. Dr. Malcolm L. Gefter Kevin F. McLaughlin Praecis Pharmaceuticals Names CEO, Creates Chief Scientific Officer Position Malcolm L. Gefter, Ph.D., has handed over the role of CEO of Praecis Pharmaceuticals to Kevin F. McLaughlin. Praecis, Waltham, Mass., is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies to address significant unmet medical needs. Dr. Gefter, who founded Praecis, remains chairman of the board and assumes the newly created position of chief scientific officer, where he is focused on advising the company’s research and development group on key projects, including the continued development and potential partnering of the company’s Direct Select technology platform. In addition, Dr. Gefter continues to play an important role in advising the clinical-development teams and evaluating clinical-trial data. Mr. McLaughlin also has been elected to serve as a member of Praecis’ board of directors. Mr. McLaughlin joined Praecis in 1996 and served as chief financial officer until September 2004, when he was appointed president and chief operating officer. Robert E. Knowling Jr. Immune Response Appoints Chairman Immune Response, a Carlsbad, Calif.-based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to becoming a leading immune-based therapy company in HIV and multiple sclerosis, has appointed Robert E. Knowling Jr. as chairman. James B. Glavin, who has served as chairman since May 1993, will leave later this year. Mr. Knowling earned a bachelor of arts degree from Wabash College and a MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business. Dr. Karen J. Martell Anacor Adds VP to Spearhead Business Development Efforts Anacor Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of novel pharmaceuticals, has named Karen J. Martell, MBA, Ph.D., VP of business development. Dr. Martell is responsible for forming and expanding Anacor’s relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and government organizations as the company begins to commercialize its chemical library. Before joining Anacor, Palo Alto, Calif., Dr. Martell held the role of principal at A.M. Pappas & Associates. Dr. Martell received her B.A. in biochemistry from Smith College and her Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Michigan Medical School, where she completed postdoctoral work in biological chemistry. She is a Fulbright scholar and also holds a MBA from the University of California at Berkeley. Specialty POOL Dr. Edward Arcuri Dr. Steven Chatfield Emergent BioSolutions Names Chief Operating Officer and Chief Scientific Officer Edward Arcuri, Ph.D., has been named chief operating officer at Emergent BioSolutions, Gaithersburg, Md., which is focused on the research, development, and manufacture of novel vaccines and related products for prophylactic and therapeutic use against common diseases and biological weapons of mass destruction. As chief operating officer, Dr. Arcuri oversees all of the company’s operating functions, including oversight of the regulatory affairs, quality assurance, manufacturing, and project management departments. Before joining Emergent, Dr. Arcuri served as senior VP of manufacturing operations for MedImmune. Dr. Arcuri received his Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Steven Chatfield, Ph.D., has been named chief scientific officer. Dr. Chatfield leads a team of more than 40 scientists within Emergent’s subsidiary companies, providing oversight in several areas, including early-stage research, product development, and clinical research. Dr. Chatfield has more than 25 years of working experience in the field of vaccine research and development and previously served as the chief scientific officer for Microscience. Dr. Chatfield received his Ph.D. from the University of Birmingham. Dr. Barry A. Berkowitz Scion Pharmaceuticals Appoints President and CEO Scion Pharmaceuticals, which discovers and develops small-molecule drugs that selectively regulate ion channels, has named Barry A. Berkowitz, Ph.D., to the position of president and CEO. Dr. Berkowitz succeeds Dr. Pravin Chaturvedi, who remains as a consultant to the company. Dr. Berkowitz joins Scion, Medford, Mass., from Albany Molecular Research, where he served as corporate VP. Dr. Berkowitz has more than 100 scientific publications and is a co-inventor on a number of U.S. patents. He earned his B.S. in pharmacy from Northeastern University and his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of California, San Francisco. Michael Coffee Avigen Hires Chief Business Officer Michael Coffee has joined Avigen to lead its business-development efforts. Avigen, Alameda, Calif., is committed to developing innovative therapeutics to treat serious disorders, primarily focused on neurological conditions. Mr. Coffee’s initial focus is centered upon corporate development and the in-licensing of pharmaceutical product candidates for serious neurological conditions that have advanced into late-stage human clinical trials. Before joining Avigen, Mr. Coffee was president and chief operating officer of Amarin. Dr. William P. Forbes R&D VP and Chief Development Officer Selected at Salix Salix Pharmaceuticals has named William P. Forbes, Pharm.D., VP of research and development and chief development officer. Salix, Raleigh, N.C., develops and markets prescription pharmaceutical products for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Dr. Forbes most recently served as VP of clinical development and regulatory affairs, at Metabasis Therapeutic. Dr. Elizabeth Posillico President of Elusys Therapeutics Named Elizabeth Posillico, Ph.D., has been named president of Elusys Therapeutics, a developer of first-in-class monoclonal antibody-based therapies using proprietary technology in Heteropolymer antibody chemistry, with a focus on infectious diseases. Dr. Poscillico manages and leads all operations of the Pine Brook, N.J.-based company. She succeeds Stephen G. Sudovar, who had been president and CEO since 1999 and has resigned for health reasons. Dr. Posillico joined Elusys in November 2002 as VP of business development, and in 2004 she was promoted to senior VP of operations. She holds a Ph.D. in endocrinology from Duke University, where she also did postdoctoral work in physiology. Dr. Mark A. Sirgo President of BioDelivery Sciences Chosen BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI) has appointed Mark A. Sirgo, Pharm.D., to the position of president. BDSI, Newark, N.J., is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that is exploiting its licensed and partner-owned patented drug-delivery technologies to develop and commercialize clinically significant new formulations of proven therapeutics, nutraceuticals, and micronutrients. Dr. Sirgo retains his position as chief operating officer, which he was appointed to in September 2004. He joined BDSI in August 2004 as senior VP of commercialization and corporate development following BDSI’s acquisition of Arius Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Francis E. O’Donnell Jr. retains his present positions of chairman of the board and CEO of BDSI but has relinquished the title of president. Raphael J. Mannino, Ph.D., remains in the position of executive VP, chief scientific officer and director of BDSI. As president, Dr. Sirgo directly oversees all of BDSI’s day-to-day operational functions. In addition, he continues, along with Andrew L. Finn, Pharm.D., who also joined BDSI from Arius, to spearhead the development and commercialization of BDSI’s licensed BEMA technology for the buccal, or mouth membrane, delivery of pharmaceuticals. Drug-Delivery POOL Debbie Thomas West Pharmaceutical Services Appoints Director, Regulatory Affairs, Americas West Pharmaceutical Services, a manufacturer of standard-setting components and systems for injectable drug delivery, has appointed Debbie Thomas to the position of director of regulatory affairs, Americas. Ms. Thomas has more than 16 years of extensive management and operational experience in regulatory compliance and quality management systems, and most recently served as director of regulatory and quality systems for air products and chemicals. At West, Lionville, Pa., Ms. Thomas serves as the principal liaison with FDA and other regulatory agencies for both domestic and international regulatory issues and manages the submission process for all drug-master files, 510k, and premarket supplements. She earned her M.A. in government and political science from Lehigh University with a concentration in FDA. She holds a degree in criminal justice from Temple University. Virgil D. Thompson Chairman Appointed at Aradigm Virgil D. Thompson has been named chairman of Aradigm’s board of directors. Aradigm, Hayward, Calif., develops noninvasive delivery systems to enable patients to comfortably self-administer biopharmaceuticals and small molecules that would otherwise be given by injection. Mr. Thompson has been a director on Aradigm’s board since 1994 and currently is chairman of its compensation committee. Mr. Thompson currently is the president and CEO of Angstrom Pharmaceuticals. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Kansas University and a law degree from The George Washington University. He also is a member of the board of Questcor Pharmaceuticals and Savient Pharmaceuticals. He brings to this position more than 30 years of pharmaceutical experience and leadership. Richard Thompson, Aradigm’s current chairman, remains as a director on the company’s board. Genomics POOL Dr. Pieter Muntendam BG Medicine Appoints President BG Medicine, formerly known as Beyond Genomics, has named Pieter Muntendam, M.D., as its new president to lead the company’s business operations and strategy. BG Medicine, Waltham, Mass., focuses on high-value drug-development applications of its proprietary systems pharmacology platform that is based on the scientific advances in the nascent systems biology field. Most recently, Dr. Muntendam led the biopharmaceutical and healthcare practice at NetNumina. He founded the health-management firm ProMedex and cofounded a subsidiary of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Vitivity. Dr. Muntendam received his M.D. from Leiden University in The Netherlands. Emerging POOL Gail Schulze New President and CEO to Lead Eximias Eximias Pharmaceutical, Berwyn, Pa., has named Gail Schulze as president and CEO. Eximias Pharmaceutical is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that engages in the acquisition, development, and commercialization of products for the treatment of cancer and cancer-related disorders. Most recently, Ms. Schulze was the chief operating officer of Aventis Behring. She received a B.S. in psychobiology from the University of California, was a NIH fellow in neurophysiology at the University of Wisconsin, and received a MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Association POOL Dr. Jack Faris President of Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association Named Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association (WBBA) has selected Jack Faris, Ph.D., to become the next president, succeeding Ruth Scott, who is retiring following more than six years of service. Seattle-based WBBA is a nonprofit association comprised of more than 400 member companies, including biotechnology and medical-device companies, research institutions, and contract research organizations. Most recently, Dr. Faris was VP for university relations at the University of Washington. Dr. Faris graduated from the University of Washington and earned a Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. He currently serves on the executive committees of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Alliance for Education, and the Seattle Public Library Foundation. Jack Huttner Chairman of New York Biotechnology Association Chosen The New York Biotechnology Association (NYBA) has appointed Jack Huttner as chairman of the board of directors. NYBA, New York, is the collective voice of the biotechnology community in New York State, representing the industry to government, media, financial, and biotechnology interests. Elected to a two-year term, Mr. Huttner chairs the volunteer board of senior executives representing New York’s leading companies, research centers, and professional service providers. Mr. Huttner is VP of Genencor International. In addition to serving on NYBA’s board, Mr. Huttner has leadership positions at BIO and EuropaBio. Dr. Candace Kendle Josef von Rickenbach Association of Clinical Research Organizations Elects New Officers for 2005 The Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO), which represents the clinical outsourcing industry to regulators, biopharmaceutical customers, and policymakers in the United States and worldwide, has elected officers for 2005. Candace Kendle, Pharm.D., chairman and CEO of Kendle, has been elected treasurer of the Washington, D.C.-based association. Josef von Rickenbach, chairman and CEO of PAREXEL International, was elected chairman of ACRO. Mr. von Rickenbach and Dr. Kendle have been key participants in the growth of ACRO as the voice of clinical outsourcing since the association was formed in 2002. David M. Maola DIA Names New Executive Director The Drug Information Association (DIA), a nonprofit organization serving professionals in the biopharmaceutical and related industries, has hired David M. Maola, Esq., as its new executive director. Mr. Maola is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the association as well as providing direction on the implementation of the association’s strategic plan. This includes providing leadership and vision for all of the DIA’s worldwide operations, including offices in Europe and Japan, managing the association’s staff, and ensuring that adequate support is available for its programs, employees, and members. Dr. Russell M. Medford AtheroGenics CEO Elected Chairman of Georgia Biomedical Partnership AtheroGenics President and CEO, Russell M. Medford, M.D., Ph.D., has been elected chairman of the Georgia Biomedical Partnership (GBP), Atlanta, which is dedicated to the growth of the life-sciences industry in Georgia. Dr. Medford has served as president and CEO of AtheroGenics since 1995. In addition to serving as chairman of the GBP, Dr. Medford serves on the BioSciences Executive Committee for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Southeastern Life Sciences Association board of directors, and BIO’s emerging companies section governing body. Dr. Medford is a molecular cardiologist whose research has focused on the molecular basis of cardiovascular disease. He received a B.A. from Cornell University and a M.D. with distinction and a Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Agency POOL Loreen Babcock David Finkel LLKFB Completes Management Transformation LLKFB, a full-service direct marketing communications company and part of Omnicom Group’s Diversified Agency Services, has announced several key executive management changes. Loreen Babcock, one of the agency’s founding partners and president, has been named chairman and CEO. In addition, David Finkel, previously chairman and CEO at Brann Worldwide, has joined the agency in the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. Mr. Finkel brings 20 years of direct marketing agency management experience to his new position. Harry Koenig, the current chief operating officer and one of the agency’s founders, has left the company to provide consultative services for start-up companies. Beverly Beaudoin Steve Corwin Senior VPs Join Grey Healthcare Group Grey Healthcare Group (GHG), a healthcare communications network, has added to its roster two senior executives with more than 45 years of combined healthcare experience. They are responsible for focusing on business development of domestic and international accounts within their specialties at the New York healthcare communications network. Beverly Beaudoin has been named senior VP, general manager of Avenue Grey. She joins the company with a wealth of high-level experience in management, direct-to-patient and customer relationship marketing, and a long-track record at key agencies. Before joining Avenue Grey, Ms. Beaudoin was director, DTP/DTC for Lowe Bozell McAdams. Steve Corwin, has been named senior VP, general manager of Acute and Specialty Care Brands, Grey Healthcare Group Advertising. Mr. Corwin brings to GHG Advertising extensive experience in business development and the creation of innovative strategies. He is responsible for developing the acute and specialty-care brand portfolio within GHG, with a focus on oncology. Before joining GHG Advertising, Mr. Corwin was a principal at DeNova Healthcare Communications. Richard Blocki Abelson-Taylor Names Consumer Marketing Veteran as DTP Division Head Chicago-based Abelson-Taylor has named Richard Blocki account director of the agency’s recently formed direct-to-patient division. Mr. Blocki is responsible for developing consumer-oriented campaigns for existing clients as well as new ones. His background includes eight years of running his own agency, R. Blocki & Associates. Mr. Blocki also was director of marketing for the State of Illinois, where he spearheaded the campaign for the state’s Bureau of Tourism. Mr. Blocki is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a master’s degree in advertising. Phila Broich Corbett Accel Creates Chief Talent Officer Position To direct its aggressive talent growth strategy, Corbett Accel Healthcare Group has appointed Phila Broich as executive VP, chief talent officer. Corbett Accel, based in New York and Chicago, is a medical communications company and a part of Omnicom Group. Before that, Ms. Broich worked as a consultant for IBM’s business consulting services practice, handling organizational change strategy in the areas of communication, media, and entertainment. Ms. Broich completed a double major in mass communications and theater at Western Illinois University. She holds a master’s of fine arts from the California Institute of the Arts and a master’s of science in organizational development from Loyola University. Juli Cavnar Rod Smith Gary Walgren GSW Worldwide Names Executive Staff GSW Worldwide, a full-service advertising agency and subsidiary of inChord Communications, has added to its executive staff at its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Juli Cavnar has been named VP/account director. She is responsible for managing and leading one of GSW Worldwide’s pharmaceutical account teams. Before GSW Worldwide, Ms. Cavnar served as a dermatology sales representative and associate director of marketing at Amgen. She holds a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin. Rod Smith has been named VP/associate creative director. He is responsible for managing and leading creative for one of GSW Worldwide’s pharmaceutical accounts. Previously, Mr. Smith served as VP/associate creative director at McCann-Erickson Worldwide. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University. Gary Walgren has been named VP/account director. He is responsible for managing and leading one of GSW Worldwide’s pharmaceutical account teams. Previously, Mr. Walgren served as managing partner at Broad Reach Partners. He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Janet Conley Torre Lazur McCann West Names Associate Creative Director Janet Conley has been appointed associate creative director, copy, at San Diego-based Torre Lazur McCann West, part of Torre Lazur McCann Healthcare Worldwide. With more than two decades of experience, Ms. Conley oversees strategy and new business development as well as concept and copywriting for all accounts. She previously was at Fusion Communications Consulting, where she was a founding partner and supervised creative strategy, client services, and new business development. Ms. Conley is a graduate of San Jose State University. Heather A. Derenthal Nanette Foster Danielle Lewis Kim Miller Shane Pitkin Judy Supley Julie Vajda Palio Announces Promotions Palio Communications, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has announced several promotions. Palio Communications is a subsidiary of inChord Communications and a full-spectrum advertising and communications agency. Heather A. Derenthal has been promoted from assistant account executive to account executive. Nanette Foster has been promoted from account supervisor/brand planning to senior brand planner. Danielle Lewis has been promoted from assistant account executive to account executive. Kim Miller has been promoted from account coordinator to assistant account executive/event services. Shane Pitkin has been promoted from medical writer to senior medical writer. Judy Supley has been promoted from account executive to senior account executive. Julie Vajda, CMP, has been promoted from senior account executive/event services to account supervisor/event services. Teresa Flynn Kristin Havill Sharon Johnson Teresa Leezer DeLor Adds Four to Marketing and Business Development Groups DeLor Healthcare Communications, Louisville, Ky., has made four appointments in its marketing and business development groups. DeLor is a healthcare communications firm whose specialty is brand revitalization. Teresa Flynn has joined the firm as senior marketing manager. Ms. Flynn has more than 20 years of clinical and scientific experience, first as a registered nurse and then as a medical liaison and sales specialist for Abbott Laboratories. Kristin Havill, has been named business development manager for corporate pharmaceutical brands. Sharon Johnson has been named business development manager for pharmaceutical product brands. Teresa Leezer has been named VP of marketing. She directs strategic marketing and communications efforts for existing clients and oversees new business development efforts. She most recently served as executive director, oncology, and virology marketing at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Jeffrey C. Foster TMX Communications Appoints Executive VP TMX Communications, a digital communications agency, has named Jeffrey C. Foster as executive VP. Mr. Foster, 44, has served as VP of strategy and planning since joining the Conshohocken, Pa.-based company in 2002. His new responsibilities expand upon his successes in one of the company’s major areas of growth: healthcare and life sciences. He continues to work closely with top accounts while championing TMX’s integration of Six Sigma process methodologies throughout the organization. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Syracuse University and a MBA from Iona College. Richard J. Levy Ferguson Appoints Industry Veteran to Chief Operating Officer Position Ferguson, CommonHealth’s founding professional advertising and promotion unit, has appointed Richard J. Levy as chief operating officer. CommonHealth, Parsippany, N.J., is a healthcare-communications network and a WPP Group company. In this position, Mr. Levy heads up the day-to-day management of the agency with both account management and operations reporting to him. Before joining Ferguson, Mr. Levy served as president of HealthSTAR Advertising. Before his tenure with HealthSTAR, Mr. Levy was CEO of Adair-Greene. Consulting POOL Gregg Karlberg Wood Mackenzie Strengthens Team in North America Wood Mackenzie, a strategic consulting and research firm, has appointed a key executive. Gregg Karlberg has been appointed as president of life sciences for Wood Mackenzie, bringing more than 25 years of experience working with life-sciences, healthcare, and government organizations. Wood Mackenzie has its headquarters in Edinburgh, U.K., and U.S. offices in Boston. Mr. Karlberg has held senior management roles at PA Consulting Group, Accenture, and Sapient. He is focused on growing the company’s research and consulting business in North America and around the world. CRO POOL Dr. J.T. Barbey Director, Core Laboratory Cardiology, Named at Medifacts J. T. Barbey, M.D., has been named director, core laboratory cardiology, at Medifacts International, Rockville, Md., a global CRO. Dr. Barbey acts as the cardiac safety division’s internal scientific and medical expert for noninvasive research monitoring. Dr. Barbey also assists Medifacts’ clients with the design of clinical-development programs and protocols and provides expert input regarding patient safety in clinical trials. Dr. Barbey is a U.S. board-certified cardiologist, with more than 15 years of clinical research experience and served for 14 years as assistant professor of medicine and pharmacology at Georgetown University Medical Center. Ernie Fontes Pharm-Olam International Names Global Business Development Director Pharm-Olam International (POI), a multinational contract research organization based in Houston, has made an executive addition. Ernie Fontes has been named director of global business development. Mr. Fontes is orchestrating new business development processes for POI’s European and global headquarters. He has more than 20 years of business development and sales consulting experience and is expected to be a critical asset to the new development and growth of POI’s sales goals. Medical-Education POOL Chris Brown Kimberly Rozsypal Valerie Wamsley Summer Wingard Cadent Medical Communications Announces New Hires Cadent Medical Communications, a medical-education and communication company, has added to its staff. Based in Irving, Texas, Cadent is a subsidiary of inChord Communications. Chris Brown has been named senior meeting planner. She is responsible for planning and coordinating medical meetings for pharmaceutical clients. Before Cadent Medical Communications, Ms. Brown worked at Signal Media. She holds an associate’s degree from Farnborough College. Kimberly Rozsypal has been named project coordinator. She is responsible for managing the overall quality of assigned projects. Before Cadent Medical Communications, Ms. Rozsypal was a medical health technician in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Texas State University. Valerie Wamsley has been named project coordinator. She is responsible for managing the overall quality of assigned projects. Previously, she worked at Sonoma Technology. Summer Wingard has been named project coordinator. She is responsible for managing the overall quality of assigned projects. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. JaNeen Dancy Dr. Jeffrey Gross INNOVIA Education Institute Appoints Managers INNOVIA Education Institute has appointed JaNeen Dancy, R.Ph., and Jeffrey Gross, Pharm.D., to the positions of manager, scientific and clinical affairs. INNOVIA, Columbia, Md., is an accredited provider of continuing medical education services and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Columbia MedCom Group. Ms. Dancy previously was the assistant director of client relations with ACS State Healthcare. Ms. Dancy will be completing her doctor of pharmacy at University of Arkansas, Medical Sciences later this year. Dr. Gross previously served as a clinical pharmacist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. He also worked as a clinical consultant for the Collaborative Consulting Group. Service POOL Barbara Ginn Access Worldwide Announces Promotion Barbara Ginn has been promoted from senior VP to executive VP of Access Worldwide’s TMS Professional Markets Group located in Boca Raton, Fla. She has served 10 years at the healthcare communication company, which specializes in DTC call handling and pharmacy/physician teledetailing. Linda Holder Neil L. Schmidt Dr. Paul Weislogel Wolters Kluwer Health Strengthens Leadership of Medical Research Business Wolters Kluwer Health, a Chicago-based division of Wolters Kluwer NV, has made three executive appointments in its Medical Research division, which includes Ovid Technologies and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) journal publishing. Linda Holder has been named VP and chief financial officer with responsibility for managing the financial staff and procurement functions. Most recently, she was with Hewlett-Packard. She received a MBA from Nanyang Technological University, and she also is a CPA. Neil L. Schmidt has joined the company as VP of operations with responsibility for global operational initiatives. Mr. Schmidt has 23 years of experience in technology-related services businesses, including 17 years at General Electric Medical Systems, where he served in various management roles in operations and marketing. Mr. Schmidt received a B.A. from National University, and a MBA from Rutgers University. Paul Weislogel, Ph.D., has been promoted to executive VP of LWW Journal Publishing and manages the journal publishing business. Dr. Weislogel has been employed by Wolters Kluwer Health since September 2004, serving as director of strategic society relations for LWW. Most recently, Dr. Weislogel was VP for global society relations in Elsevier’s Health Science Division. He is a graduate of Iowa State University and received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton University. Bob Kruger G. Scott MacKenzie NDCHealth Names Executives NDCHealth, a healthcare technology and information solutions provider, has named Robert G. Kruger as chief technology officer. Mr. Kruger, 51, joins NDCHealth, Atlanta, after serving as senior VP, product development and chief technology officer of Citrix Systems. Mr. Kruger is a graduate of UCLA with additional studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the American Electronics Association Stanford Executive Institute for Management of High-Technology Companies. G. Scott MacKenzie also has joined the company as executive VP and general manager, pharmacy systems and services. Mr. MacKenzie is responsible for overseeing all functional aspects of NDCHealth’s pharmacy systems and transaction services business unit, including operations, sales, and product development. Mr. MacKenzie, 41, most recently served as VP and general manager of providing care, a unit of Cerner. He earned a MBA from University of Michigan, and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Utah State University. Kevin J. Hunter Alliance Healthcare Information Appoints Manager of Business Development Alliance Healthcare Information, a communications center primarily staffed by nurses and specializing in medical affairs, product information, compliance, physician detailing and clinical-trial screening for the healthcare field, has named Kevin J. Hunter as manager of business development. Mr. Hunter brings more than 14 years of account management and sales experience to the position, previously serving as both a marketing director and operations manager for a professional staffing company. At Alliance Healthcare, Ivyland, Pa., Mr. Hunter secures contracts for both inbound and outbound communication center projects. He received a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University. Robert D. Lefebvre MDS Pharma Services Appoints VP, Global Marketing MDS Pharma Services, a provider of innovative drug discovery and development solutions, has appointed Robert D. Lefebvre as VP of global marketing. MDS Pharma Services, Lincoln, Neb., is part of Montreal-based MDS. Mr. Lefebvre is responsible for all aspects of marketing strategy and implementation for the organization and is based at the King of Prussia, Pa., office. Before joining MDS Pharma Services, Mr. Lefebvre was employed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he spent 12 years, most recently as VP and brand champion, oncology global marketing. Paula J. Lorence Ricerca Biosciences Selects VP, Business Development Ricerca Biosciences, an integrated drug-development services company based in Concord, Ohio, has promoted Paula J. Lorence to VP, business development. In this position, she is responsible for U.S. business development activities to enhance Ricerca’s strong competitive position in the growing contract development services field. Ms. Lorence, who joined Ricerca in 1988, most recently was the director of analytical chemistry. She received an ACS certified B.A. degree in chemistry from Hiram College and received her MBA from Cleveland State University. Joan Sinopoli Patient Marketing Group Creates Marketing VP Position Joan Sinopoli has been appointed to the newly created role of VP of marketing at Patient Marketing Group (PMG), Princeton, N.J., a pharmaceutical marketing services firm. Ms. Sinopoli has almost 20 years of experience in consumer advertising and marketing. Ms. Sinopoli’s previous positions include managing director, Sudler & Hennessey Consumer, and senior VP, business development at Omnicom’s HMC Advertising & Marketing (now part of TBWA). Ms. Sinopoli holds a M.A. from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross. Technology/Web POOL Jeff Boddy Tyler Forster Blue Diesel Announces New Hires Blue Diesel, an interactive marketing company based in Columbus, Ohio, has added to its staff. Blue Diesel is a subsidiary of inChord Communications. Jeff Boddy has been named media specialist. Before Blue Diesel, Mr. Boddy served as animator, designer, and p oducer at Ozone Studios. Mr. Boddy holds a bachelor’s degree from Ringling School of Art and Design. Tyler Forster has been named interactive designer. Before Blue Diesel, Mr. Forster served as a freelance designer for Bath & Body Works. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbus College of Art & Design. Jim King Mindspan Adds Executive to Drive Adoption of e-Detailing Initiatives Mindspan, an e-business communications company based in Mahwah, N.J., that provides interactive brand promotion and physician learning products, has appointed Jim King as VP of business development. Mr. King is responsible for building business relationships with strategic operating companies, growing Mindspan’s share of voice, and increasing adoption of the company’s technology products. Mr. King most recently was the VP of sales and associate publisher of the pharmacy and managed-care divisions at Medical World Communications. Deborah A. Rucker DCI Appoints VP, Business Development Data Capture International, a Marietta, Ga.-based emerging application service provider that offers electronic data capture software solutions and services to pharmaceutical companies and CROs, has named Deborah A. Rucker as VP, business development. In this position, Ms. Rucker is responsible for leading DCI’s commercial efforts to promote the launch of the latest release of its flagship product, SureLynxVersion 2.0. Her most recent position was with MDS Pharma Services, where she served as VP of business development. William P. Sullivan Agilent Technologies Names President and CEO Agilent Technologies has elected William P. (Bill) Sullivan as president and CEO. Agilent, Palo Alto, Calif., is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences, and chemical analysis. Mr. Sullivan, 55, previously Agilent’s executive VP and chief operating officer, succeeds Edward W. (Ned) Barnholt, 61, who announced his retirement as chairman, president, and CEO of the company he helped launch following its spin-off from Hewlett-Packard in 1999. Mr. Sullivan received a bachelor of science degree from the University of California at Davis. Please send your personnel announcements to [email protected].

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