Scott Whitaker is the Chief Operating Officer of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). He joined BIO in February 2005 as COO and manages all aspects of BIO’s day-to-day operations. Prior to joining BIO, Scott served as Chief of Staff of the 8 of Health & Human Services (HHS), a cabinet agency with 67,000 employees and a budget of $550 billion. As HHS Chief of Staff, Scott managed the day-to-day operations of the 8 and led the 8’s activities on all major policy and management issues and initiatives. In addition, he served as the top liaison to the White House on policy, management and political matters. Prior to becoming Chief of Staff, Scott was nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary for Legislation, 8 of Health and Human Services. In that capacity, Scott led the legislative operations of the 8 and its agencies. During his time as Assistant Secretary, Scott managed the passage of a significant number of legislative victories for the Administration, including the Medicare Modernization Act, the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2002, the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002, and the Project BioShield Act of 2004. Before joining HHS, Scott served on the staff of Senate Assistant Majority Leader Don Nickles. He joined Sen. Nickles in 1991. In 1997, Nickles appointed Scott as policy advisor for the Office of the Assistant Majority Leader, where he served for the next four years. Scott holds a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor's degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He and his wife, Michelle, have three children.
