Greenwood Announces Personnel Changes for Emerging Companies & Business Development Group
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 27, 2006) -- Jim Greenwood, President & CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), announced today that after 12 years of dedicated service and leadership on behalf of the industry’s small and medium-sized companies, Morrie Ruffin, Executive Vice President for Emerging Companies and Business Development, will leave the organization on June 30 to pursue a career in strategic consulting. Mr. Ruffin announced his intention to leave the organization to BIO’s Emerging Companies Section Governing Body at their meeting in April and agreed to stay until a successor was identified.
Ruffin will join LifeTech Innovations (LTI, http://www.lifetechresearch.com), a biotech and medtech strategic consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, as CEO.
“Morrie was the architect of BIO’s business development franchise and has been a tireless proponent for BIO’s emerging companies during his many years at BIO. His knowledge about the industry and capital formation issues will be greatly missed,” Greenwood stated. “BIO looks forward to continuing our relationship with Morrie as a consultant.”
Greenwood also announced that Alan F. Eisenberg, BIO’s Executive Vice President for Advocacy, Operations, & Communications, will assume Ruffin’s responsibilities.
“Alan brings a wealth of public policy expertise and familiarity with our membership to this position,” Greenwood stated, “He will provide tremendous energy and acumen to move BIO’s advocacy forward on behalf of our smaller companies and will do an outstanding job leading the staff and service operations for the 800+ companies and organizations in our Emerging Companies Section.”
In his present position, Eisenberg oversees BIO’s communications, state government relations and Board operations, and coordinates BIO’s advocacy activities. Before joining BIO, Eisenberg served as a senior advisor on health and economics policy for Greenwood during his Congressional tenure. In this role, Eisenberg was extensively involved in the enactment of numerous public laws including the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act (P.L. 107-250) and the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (P.L. 107-109).
Previously, Eisenberg worked as a health policy advisor for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Public Health and as a legislative assistant for Congressman John Shadegg (AZ). Before coming to Washington, Eisenberg worked for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI, as a research economist specializing in tax and regulatory issues and as a finance manager in manufacturing.
Eisenberg holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University and a Master of Science in Finance degree from George Washington University.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
###